Newsmakers: Camp Fire names early education program director

Eboni Kelly

Camp Fire names early education program director

Camp Fire First Texas has hired Eboni Kelly as director of the Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP). The newly formed director position at Camp Fire will lead the equally fresh and first-of-its-kind program for early educators in the state of Texas, Camp Fire said in a news release.

Camp Fire First Texas announced Aug. 2 that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved the first Early Education Apprenticeship Program. The two-year program will begin accepting applications and admitting the inaugural group of apprentices in early 2020 and will run congruent concurrent with to collegiate schedules when classes begin in August.

“The Early Education Apprenticeship Program is pivotal in the trajectory of early education in Fort Worth and Texas at -large,” Kelly said in the release.

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Lyn Lucas, Chief Program Office at Camp Fire First Texas, said DOL approval solidifies the program as a state-recognized apprenticeship.

That includes a state- issued, non-expiring Child Care Development Specialist credential in addition to providing support of mandatory wage increases, on-the-job learning, coaching from a highly-skilled early education mentor, and accumulation of college credit, Lucas said.

“This will ultimately elevate the level of quality care offered to the children and families within our communities at -large,” Kelly said.

Kelly received her master of science degree in instruction and curriculum leadership from the University of Memphis along with graduate certificates in African- American literature and literacy, leadership and coaching. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

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Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said, “An Early Education Apprenticeship Program lifts the earning potential and professionalism of a vital industry, while also improving the availability for families to access quality early educational experience for their children through professional and skilled early educators.,” said Mayor Betsy Price. “Programs such as these get to the heart of supporting economic development in our community.”

The inaugural class will enroll 20 individualsapprentices. Camp Fire said that upon completion of the program, apprentices will:

• Earn a non-expiring Child Care Development Specialist Certificate from the Department of Labor;

• Earn college credit through Tarrant County College and Tarleton State University;

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• Have their apprenticeship experience recognized by the Texas Early Childhood Career Lattice for Practitioners; and

• Be able to negotiate for higher wages.

“Following the inaugural class in August 2020, we plan to enroll another 20-plus early educators to the program annually. We will continue to explore and engage a multitude of partners and sources of sustainable funding as the program grows and our apprentices graduate,” said Lucas said.

Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship PThe program will be offered in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, Tarrant County Community College, Tarleton State University and Teacher Education and Compensation Helps.

Funding support has been provided by the George and Faye Young Foundation, The Miles Foundation, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, the Sid Richardson Foundation and Tarrant County United Way.

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

J’Lyn Emerson has joined Balcom Agency as account director, bringing more than eight years of experience in account management, digital media planning, social media management and more to the agency and its clients. In true Balcom fashion, Emerson will assume her new nickname, “Always in Tune,” a play on her love for music and aim to sync up with clients to accomplish great things together.

BANKING/FINANCE

Olivia Simon – photo – has joined Aspen Wealth Management as a financial planning associate. She recently graduated from the Financial Planning Program at Virginia Tech University with a bBachelor of Sscience degree in Ffinance. Simon is a member of the Financial Planning Association and will be sitting for the CFP certified financial planner exam in November.

EDUCATION

Academy 4 has hired Karmen L. Rubin – as marketing and community outreach director. Rubin will carry out planning and development of for the organization’s marketing, donor relations, individual giving and external communications. Rubin will oversee business development and recruitment strategies throughout Tarrant County and the Austin area.

Prior toBefore joining Academy 4, Rubin served as the Executive Director of LVTRise, a revitalization initiative devoted to enhancing the lives of residents living in the Las Vegas Trail community neighborhood of Fort Worth. Rubin is active in the community, serving as a current member of Women’s Policy Forum and a graduate of the 2019 Leadership Fort Worth Class. She served as communications director for the Society of Professional Marketing Services (SMPS), was a 40 Under 40 Award nNominee by the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and is a current member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Academy 4 is a nonprofit organization that connects churches to schools and communities through mentoring 4thfourth- graders in leadership. Founded in 2012, Academy 4 works with Title I1 schools throughout Tarrant County and Austin to provide volunteer mentors to 4th fourth-grade students.

HONORS/AWARDES

Chris Tucker, owner of PuroClean Property Restoration in Arlington was awarded PuroClean’s Rainmaker Award at the company’s international convention held recently at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. Tucker opened his PuroClean business in 2013 after working at Lockheed Martin for over 20 years as a quality control instructor and trainer. He has been recognized as a Rainmaker for his commitment and contributions three other times – 2013, 2014, and 2018.

The North Texas Commission has selected the members of Leadership North Texas Class 11. Class 11, the largest LNT class to date, is made up of 36 leaders from across North Texas in a variety of industry sectors including elected officials, municipal leaders, executives from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, education leaders and the business community.

Among the members of this year’s class are: Bob Aniol, regional director, Sundt Construction;

Mercedes Bolen, director of communications, Hillwood ; Thad Chambers, economic development director, City of Haslet; Jay Chapa, assistant city manager, City of Fort Worth ; Vicki Chiavetta, deputy city manager, City of Coppell; Adrienne Lothery, assistant city manager, City of Colleyville; Marcus Mitias, program director, Government Affairs & Advocacy, Texas Health Resources; Cathy Neece Brown, VP for Development and Community Outreach, James L. West Center for Dementia Care; and Jason Williams, planning manager, DFW International Airport.

TRANSPORTATION

RailPros has promoted Rick Bellew to senior vice president of Safety and Training. In this position, Bellew will serve on the executive management team and provide leadership in safety and training to the RailPros workforce. In addition, he will be providing support to Vice President Erika Bruhnke, who leads the commercial training division at the rail transportation engineering and construction service company.