For 24 years Cindy Reese, early childhood program coordinator at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, has helped build networks of support throughout the state in effort to protect children.
Reese has worked in various capacities in the child advocacy field, but her most recent position with DHSS has granted her the opportunity to build relationships at the community and state level.
"It's rewarding to work with parents and families who have been impacted by policies and the programs we implement here at the state level," Reese said.
Reese began her career as a case worker in Boone County at the Department of Social Services. In 2000, she came to Jefferson City to take a state job in a child care subsidy program, later overseeing funding for programs like Head Start.
Through a partnership with Missouri Department of Mental Health, Reese was selected to be a young child wellness partner for a St. Louis-based pilot program called Project Watch. The federally funded program focused on ways to monitor social and emotional intelligence in children and on implementing family-strengthening techniques.
After receiving the Lifetime Advocacy award at the 35th annual Missouri Child Advocacy Day, Reese said she was honored but overwhelmed.
"I was quite honored to receive this award," Reese said. "State workers aren't often recognized for work being done behind the scenes."
No matter what role Reese has held, she said, her ability to build relationships with communities across the state is a task she is most proud of.
"Finding the right agency to partner with can be tough when you don't know the right people to contact," Reese said. "When setting up training sessions for area professionals, knowing who you can partner with makes the job a lot easier."
Throughout her career, Reese has found relationship building key to her success, but acknowledges access to resources in some communities can be a challenge.
She said early childhood programs are very fragmented throughout the state, which can make it difficult for families to access the resources. To help combat this, Reese and other advocates have initiated a parent advisory council to help make families' voices heard.
"This can be a very rewarding job," Reese said. "My advice to young professionals in the field is to always listen to the people who are receiving the services."