Susan Cogdill, ACPC Executive Director
Susan Cogdill serves as the ACPC Executive Director. She holds an undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master in Arts from ASU. She is currently enrolled in the Duke Nonprofit Management Program. Her work experience includes nonprofits at the local, state and national level. Susan has been given the privilege to work with families and children for over 30 years. One of her greatest rewards is being a part of the early years and watching a child grow from infancy to a happy, healthy and successful adult. She believes that providing parents and children with the right opportunities and necessary tools creates success in our community both now and in the future.
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Susan Cogdill,
ACPC Executive Director
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Leah Bumgarner, Fiscal Manager
Leah Bumgarner, Fiscal Manager, is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She joined the Partnership in September 2005. Leah developed an interest in early childhood while working in a child care center during college. Smart Start allows Leah to combine her financial background with early childhood experience to ensure maximum potential of funding for the greatest impact in program services for children birth to five in Alexander County. Serving as the direct fiscal contact for all programs and activities is Leah’s primary job responsibility along with providing financial reports to the North Carolina Partnership for Children.
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Leah Bumgarner,
Fiscal Manager
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Karen Campbell, Program Coordinator
Karen Campbell has worked in a variety of ways to help make North Carolina a better place for children. She currently works with Alexander County Partnership for Children, Smart Start Rowan and the Iredell Partnership for Children assisting them in developing and evaluating services for young children and their families. In addition to her work with Smart Start, she has worked on several research projects for the US Dept. of Education to evaluate the quality of early learning environments across the country. Ms. Campbell has served as program coordinator for the NC Day Care Association and as an instructor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Karen has provided parent education classes, served on the NC School Readiness Assessment Team and has also assisted the NC Smart Start evaluation team with several studies dealing with improving the quality of child care in NC. Ms Campbell, a native of Rowan County has taught Special needs children in the Rowan County School System, served as Executive Director for Rowan Association for Retarded Citizens and operated a small child care center for over 10 years. Her variety of experiences working with young children and their families have enabled her to see the value of community involvement as a mechanism for meeting the needs of the children in our community.
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Karen Campbell,
Program Coordinator
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Andrea Little, Child Development Specialist
Alexander County Partnership is pleased to announce Andrea Lail Little as the new Child Development Specialist. A native of Hickory, Andrea is no stranger to Alexander County. From 2006 to 2008 she was employed by Alexander County Schools as an Exceptional Children’s Preschool teacher at Alexander County Head Start. For the past three years she has worked as a Preschool teacher in a NCPK, formerly More at Four, classroom at Jenkins Elementary in Hickory. Additional work experience includes assistant director in after-school program, summer camp counselor and teacher assistant in a preschool program.
As the Child Development Specialist, Andrea is primarily responsible for the Partnership’s goal of increasing the quality of child care in Alexander County. Job responsibilities focus on the child care related components of grant funds through Smart Start, the Division of Child Development, and other sources. She serves as the primary CCR&R liaison with the child care community by providing technical assistance, consultation and child care provider trainings.
Andrea has a bachelor’s degree in Birth-Kindergarten Education from East Carolina University in Greenville. In December she will complete a Master of Arts in Child Development from Appalachian State University.
When asked about her new position Andrea shared, "From an early age I knew that I wanted to work with children and families" and indicated that she "looks forward to meeting each and every person who inspires the lives of children in Alexander County".
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Andrea Little
Child Development Specialist
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Maggie Breden Taylor, RNC,
Child Care Health Consultant
Maggie Breden Taylor, RNC has joined Alexander County Partnership for Children as the Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC). Maggie has over 20+ years of successful experience in various health care settings including working in pediatric care, occupational health, and nursing instruction. Maggie was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf by the governor of North Carolina for initiating an “Action for Children” program in Charlotte.The CCHC is a vital link between the children in child care and preschools, parents, providers, and community resources. Maggie will be working with child care facilities in addressing health and safety environmental needs as well as specific health needs of young children. Services will include: on-site consultations, immunization record reviews, and health and safety related educational opportunities for child care providers. Assistance with referrals to the children’s medical home and other services including Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) or Exceptional Children’s Program may occur as needed. Susan Cogdill, Executive Director of Alexander County Partnership for Children, commented, “Maggie brings a high level of enthusiasm and experience to the Partnership For Children. Her commitment to Alexander County and to children is contagious!
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Maggie Breden Taylor, RNC
Child Care Health Consultant
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"Rudy" - Certified Therapy Dog
Rudy is a certified Therapy Dog who is a part of the Alexander County Partnership for Children staff. Rudy began his employment at ACPC as a Southeastern Guide Dog. Susan Cogdill, Executive Director, is a volunteer puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs, Palmetto, Florida and began foster care for Rudy when he was 9 weeks of age. Rudy came to work each day with Susan to prepare him for work as a Guide Dog. When Rudy was nine months old he was unable to fulfill the duties of a Southeastern Guide Dog and was released from the program for medical reasons.
Rudy was adopted by Susan and Rudy successfully completed Therapy Dog certification. As a Therapy Dog Rudy can be invited into nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other agencies to visit and provide his unique form of therapy. If you have ever had the privilege of a visit from Rudy you are sure to understand for his mere presence brings a smile to everyone’s face!
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