Dear LEO Community:

With ongoing reductions to the federal workforce, it is reasonable to be unsure if the programs you and your family rely on are still available. LEO is very much open. Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms are bustling, all branches of Community Services (HEAP/Home Energy Assistance, VITA, Rental Assistance, Food Distribution, Homelessness Supports) are up, operating, and providing opportunities for our community to thrive. We are all in, nothing has changed about how we support, educate and care for our community.

If we know more, we will share more, that is our pledge to our clients, families and staff.

Thank you for trusting LEO Inc.

Birgitta S. Damon, CEO

Ruth on the Rise

When Ruth Ayala began Early Head Start she struggled with attendance. Her mother, Maria, frequently kept Ruth home because of stomach issues. In an effort to better care for Ruth, LEO expanded her net of support to include her teachers, a Family Service Worker and a Health Advocate. All agreed Ruth should be evaluated by a physician. A doctor put Ruth on a lactose-free diet, but that didn’t resolve her issues. Ruth’s health and attendance continued to decline; her temperament also suffered as she was frequently agitated by bloating and pain. Our Health Advocate was insistent Ruth be reevaluated by a new doctor, assisting in a referral, attending appointments with the family, even speaking on their behalf during visits. New testing revealed Ruth was both gluten and oat intolerant. Her family changed her diet at home while our dietitian and kitchen staff accommodated her diet at school. Today, Ruth is happy and healthy at our Jack Robinson Child Care Center. Her attendance is markedly improved. Recently, Maria accepted a classroom position at LEO! These are the small successes possible when all parts of our LEO teamwork in full harmony.

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