Helping families to thrive

Cassandra Alexander-Macon joined the County as a job training counselor after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. She worked in different roles until finding her passion as a social worker for the Head Start Program in 1998. Helping families and building our community fills her with pride.

Over the past 24 years at Head Start, Alexander-Macon has impacted the program. As the interim delegate liaison for the Head Start Program, where she was the point person for Head Start delegate agencies, she ensured compliance with the Head Start Program requirements and contracts.

Promoted to serve as the Family and Community Engagement (FCE) coordinator in 2011, she helped set the direction for family services and led the governance component of the Head Start and Early Head Start Program. She engaged families through the Head Start Policy Council and coordinated with the Community Action Agency Board to ensure parents had a voice in the direction of Head Start. In this role, she mentored parents as they gained confidence in their ability to be advocates for their children, themselves and their community.

As the FCE coordinator, she also spearheaded many innovative initiatives, such as the Learn to Swim Program, in partnership with Miami-Dade County's Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. Hundreds of Head Start children learned to swim and stay safe from drowning through this program.

She also initiated several fatherhood engagement programs. One is "Back to School with Dad," an annual event that began in 2015. Through this event, fathers engaged in their children's education and development, and were encouraged to take an active role in their children's growth. Each year, over 300 individuals participate.

Alexander-Macon also spearheaded the "Dads Take Your Child to School Day" where dads learn and engage in activities with their children. Having fathers become actively involved in their children's school throughout the year heightens the importance of education to families. Research has shown that father engagement impacts a child's success in education.

In her most recent role with the Community Action and Human Services Department (CASHD), Alexander-Macon provides direction and leadership for many aspects of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. She oversees services that support families, including Family and Community Engagement, ERSEA and Program Governance. She also develops strategic initiatives for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Program.

“It is satisfying to watch parents develop and grow while in the program,” she says. “Parents come in unsure of their role, and leave the Head Start Program as advocates for their children, themselves, and their community. They are stronger and better able to present their needs to leaders.”

Alexander-Macon's impact now spans many generations. Her commitment is to help others thrive.

Head Start was created in 1965 to support families and assist them with providing a better quality of life for their children and families. Learn more.

"It is rewarding to know that the work my colleagues and I do in this program makes a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve," Alexander Macon added.