To assist and support teen parents and prenatal parents, foster parents, homeless families, and families living below the federal poverty guidelines. We support families’ educational and career goals and the development of their parenting skills, while providing comprehensive, quality child care for their infants and toddlers, ages birth to three (3).
Young Families Early Head Start has been providing high quality childcare since 1983. What began as a program for teen parents and their babies has expanded to provide care for all children birth to three years. YFEHS participates in the STARS to Quality state program and is currently at a level 4!
Young Families Early Head Start has been providing high quality childcare since 1983. What began as a program for teen parents and their babies has expanded to provide care for all children birth to five years. YFEHS currently participates in the state’s STARS to quality program and currently are a STARS 3 at the Rimrock location and STARS 4 at the Cook Ave location.
We are immensely grateful for our invaluable community partners who stand by us in our mission to support parents and their children. Their unwavering dedication and collaboration allow us to extend our reach and provide comprehensive assistance. Together, we create a network of support that nurtures families, empowers parents, and fosters a brighter future for all.
Our compassionate and dedicated management team at Young Families Early Head Start is driven by a deep commitment to providing unwavering support to parents and their children.
With a strong work ethic focused on excellence and a commitment to leaving a positive impact wherever she goes, Jessica’s values were shaped during her volunteer work with Scouts BSA. Her experience in program management and leadership has equipped her with the skills to make a difference. Believing in the power of leading by example, Jessica finds fulfillment in her role at YFEHS, where she enjoys watching the incredible transformations that occur as children learn and grow. She is inspired by the dedicated team members who work tirelessly to enhance the lives of the children and families under their care, embodying the essence of positive change and growth. A proud mother of one son, Jessica is very close with her family.
Shauna was born and raised in Billings, Montana and holds a bachelor’s degree in health care administration. She has a strong work ethic and community knowledge which she will use to help the families in the program navigate needed resources. Shauna has 18 years of experience working with Yellowstone County, the Office of Public Assistance and HomeFront (formerly the Housing Authority of Billings). As the Family Partnership Specialist at YFEHS she helps families navigate the enrollment process, establish and meet personal goals, and supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. All five of Shauna’s children attended YFEHS, the oldest starting in 1998. Shauna was also a teen parent in the program, and she feels she has finally “come full circle” and is honored to work with YFEHS. She loves being with the children and supporting the families and is proud to be able to lead by example.
Heather has been working with children since 2011 and brings a wealth of knowledge across many areas of childcare. Over the years, she has served as a float, teacher, CACFP Specialist, and now as the Health and Wellness Specialist. Always eager to learn and embrace new challenges, Heather continually seeks opportunities for growth, which fuels her passion and dedication to her work.
Her journey with Young Families began in 2015 and has continued to flourish each year. Heather is deeply connected to the organization’s mission, which resonates with her on a personal level. She is passionate about supporting and advocating for families and their children, and she is committed to helping them thrive.
She believes we are all here to do our part in making the world a better place, and she finds deep joy in beginning that work with Young Families and the participants she serves. Heather married her husband in 2009, and they have lived in Billings with their two fur babies, since 2010. Heather has also started her own small business and thrives in its every day operations as well.
Anita has worked in the early childhood field for the past 38 years. She has owned and operated a childcare program and preschool, mentored, coached, and consulted early childhood teachers and program directors, as well as developed and facilitated early childhood courses for Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and the University of Montana Western. Anita is especially passionate about supporting our teaching team with hands-on professional development and coaching in the classrooms. She has a Master of Education/Early Childhood Education Degree.
Anita is originally from Germany and enjoys spending her free time with any of her five grown children and seven grandchildren.
Ana Haynes
Joan Watts Brown
Lacey Conzelman
Jillian Miller
Kyle Lantz
Joe Walsh
Emily Adam
Patricia Notario
Brianne McClafferty
Laura Zimmerman
Melanie Reaves