The dynamic team at Tri-County Head Start is especially proud to have joined the ranks of the 20 Best Places to Work in Southwest Michigan in their 50th anniversary year, but note that the past three years have been significant “due to being lead by an extraordinary CEO, Chanda Hillman.” Her leadership skills of compassion, empathy, innovation, and respect are behind the nomination as a Best Place to Work for a team that provides comprehensive services to the entire family side-by-side with classroom experiences that support children educationally, socially and emotionally at critical development stages in their young lives. Read on to learn of the high value placed on staff input, and a solid team culture that makes everyone feel pride in the work they do. It’s cool that they see the super powers of the organization as being the ability to read minds and invisibility. See why those two surged to the top and what it means to the folks who work at Tri-County Head Start in a broad array of disciplines.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Tri-County Head Start
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Chanda Hillman, CEO/Executive Director
Business Contact Information
Chanda Hillman
775 Hazen St, Paw Paw, MI 49079
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
230
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Tri-County Head Start provides comprehensive services to the entire family and provides classroom experiences that support children educationally, socially, and emotionally. Services for classroom students, home-based students, and expectant mothers include but are not limited to: Education, Health, Mental Health, Dual Language, Conscious Discipline, and support from Family Advocates who connect families with other organizational partners, and work alongside the family to help them achieve their goals. The program offers an opportunity for parents to build leadership and advocacy skills by becoming elected members of the Parent Policy Council.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
While providing exemplary services to families in need and making a strong impact in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, TCHS continues to reach and set goals to expand the impact in our communities. Because of this, staff are empowered by the mission of the organization. TCHS values staff input and considers all feedback when establishing and maintaining policies and procedures. The organization is lead with compassion and empathy, staff feel heard and accepted, and every effort is made to continually improve benefits offered. The culture has been established by strong leaders who empower leaders.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
The impact they are having on our community. Everyone’s role contributes to the greater picture. From teachers making connections with children in the classroom or in a family’s home, to family advocates providing resources to families in need, to the administrative staff who do the behind the scenes work and so much more. Staff are also proud that they are part of a team that values them as the employee, and values every child and family they serve.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Tri-County Head Start has an excellent program. My child attends an Early Head Start classroom in Bangor. The teaching staff have helped him excel academically, and are teaching him how to respond socially and prepare him for a life of learning. My Family Advocate is available to answer questions, and quickly provide resources when my family is in need. The staff have been friendly and knowledgeable, and have impacted my family greatly. As a young mom, I had trouble knowing how to respond when my two year old was aggressive to new baby sister. The support I received in learning Conscious Discipline instilled a powerful perception and impacted how I mother my children. We will forever be grateful our son got a “Head Start” on learning. TCHS feels like the best kept secret in our community.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Driven 2. Empowered 3. Compassionate
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Ability to read minds because needs are always anticipated. Ideas and help is received before anyone knows they need it.
Super Power Two: Invisibility because there is often support felt and received without a face to it. A large organization may mean face-to-face with all staff is limited, but staff feel supported and know that there is an entire team of people that are ready to help from behind the scenes.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Staff recognition, wellness committee, Fitness Fridays, wellness boxes for all staff, doughnuts at meetings, engaging activities, flexible schedules, impactful guest speakers.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Committees that meet to re-evaluate how things are done, or how things can be better. At the end of meetings asking what could have made the meeting even better and implementing those ideas next time.
C] Keep communications open? Open invites for board meetings, weekly recap emails, opportunities to join committees, regular staff comment surveys, Q&A sessions at monthly all staff meeting
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
Among several accomplishments in recent years, a big undertaking was creating easy to read and all-encompassing policies and procedures. With various departments, licensing and performance standard requirements, and a standard to uphold it was important to ensure everything was clearly laid out and organized for staff to easily find and access information and get a clear understanding of why something is done a certain way. After initial creation of each policy and procedure, they are reviewed by committee annually, and all staff are able to provide input on any/all policies for the committee to provide clarity, or change policies to adapt with the agency.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Weekly shout-outs, and annual awards.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? Each department engages in team meetings, annual company picnics (when large gatherings are allowable), virtual “block” parties (a meeting with no agenda or objective, just to socialize)
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? Involved in various parades, festivals, fairs, leads fantastic fathers event, and hosts a whole child connection event.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? Anti-Racism committee with trainings, inclusive books, materials, and classrooms, encourages cultural diversity, celebrates differences. Celebrates staff birthdays monthly.
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
Are you looking for a rewarding place to work? Tri-County Head Start is driven by our mission and vision to grow and impact families in our community. We are committed to developing staff to reach their full potential. With a focus on employee strengths, flexible schedules, paid holidays & breaks, paid time-off, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and more TCHS is dedicated to making your employment experience the best you have had. Apply today at www.tricountyhs.org.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
Most people might assume our program is only a preschool experience. We also serve children ages 0-3 in the Early Head Start Program and Expectant Mothers and provide wrap-around services. There are staggering statistics in our community that emphasize how few expectant mothers do not receive adequate prenatal care.
Tri-County Head Start’s Expectant Mothers Program offers prenatal education about fetal development, labor and delivery expectations, recovery, and maternal depression. When the expectant mother delivers the baby, the baby takes the place of the mother in the program and becomes enrolled as an Early Head Start student. Home Visitors assist families with setting baby goals, family goals, and help parents get the baby’s brain ready for learning. They also connect families with needed resources, information, and leadership opportunities.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Insurance
- Flexible-Schedule
- 401(k) Contribution
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
We are excited to have been selected as one of The Moody Market Best Places to Work in 2021! This award is a high honor, only 20 organizations are selected from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. Because of the impact you all have, your commitment to excellence, and your dedication to this organization we were selected. Thank you for helping make this a great place to work. To help us celebrate this recognition, each center will plan a pizza party in the month of May!
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
Tri-County Head Start has made significant strides in the past three years. While we are celebrating our 50 year anniversary, the past three years have been significant in our history due to being lead by an extraordinary CEO. Chanda Hillman leads the organization with compassion, empathy, innovation, and respect. She is passionate about our staff and the work we do and that is demonstrated in every decision that is made and in the conversations she has every day.
