April 21-25 is National Home Visiting Week, and Luzerne County Head Start is joining the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals to celebrate the important work of home visitors everywhere and the positive impact they make on maternal and child health outcomes.
This week, LCHS is highlighting its Early Head Start family educators who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day. Early Head Start provides comprehensive child development and family support services to expecting parents, infants and toddlers up to age 3, and their families in Luzerne and Wyoming counties. Families participate in weekly home visits focused on goal setting, health and nutrition, parenting education, and more. They may also attend socialization events with other families at their Early Head Start center.
LCHS is proud to have such caring, knowledgeable and supportive EHS staff who are committed to building stronger families. Visit theinstitutefsp.org to learn more about National Home Visiting Week.
Mirkelys Castillo – Edwardsville EHS
What made you want to become a family educator?
Since I was very young, I’ve been passionate about working with children and families. Teaching is my calling, and I’ve always felt drawn to support others through early education and meaningful connections.
What is the best part of being a family educator?
The best part is being able to contribute to each child’s overall development. Being part of their growth—no matter how small the progress—fills me with joy. I also love supporting families, connecting them with community resources, and being helpful in any way I can. Helping others gives me peace and makes me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose in the universe.
Tell us about a time when you knew you made an impact on a family.
There are many special moments, but a few that stand out are: when I helped one of my families obtain child care assistance for their children; when one of the twin girls took her first steps during a home visit and her mom cried with joy; and when one of my little girls greeted me with “Good afternoon, Ms. Mirkelys,” and her dad told me she had spent the whole week practicing my name. These are the moments that truly touch your soul.
What is something people might not know about home visiting?
Home visits are not just about showing up at someone’s house. It’s about building a connection. It’s seeing children get excited to see you, parents welcoming you and trusting your work. It’s planning each activity with purpose, based on each child’s strengths. It’s so much more than just a visit—it’s about creating bonds from the planning to the moment you carry it out.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I just want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to work with so many families and witness the growth of every child. This work has taught me to celebrate every little milestone and to cherish every shared smile.
Abbey Healey, Tunkhannock EHS
What made you want to become a family educator?
I have always found joy working with children and adults. As a family educator, I get the opportunity to teach and learn when I step into a home. I truly enjoy my role as a family educator and look forward to seeing my families each week.
What is the best part of being a family educator?
Being able to see the progress from both the child and parent as they grow and accomplish goals, as well as milestones that they once thought were so far.
Tell us about a time when you knew you made an impact on a family.
I have assisted a family in the past in getting medical insurance, scheduling doctor visits, and transporting them to be seen by their provider. The family was so relieved to have that assistance and maintain their child’s health and their own.
What is something people might not know about home visiting?
There are many opportunities to make connections in the community and access resources. Family educators can help lead families in the right direction to services that best fit their needs.
Debbie Tavaglione, Exeter EHS
What made you want to become a family educator?
I wanted to become a family educator because I had been working in a classroom for over 20 years and felt I wanted a change. However, I knew I still wanted to work with young children.
What is the best part of being a family educator?
The best part of being a family educator is the close relationships formed with families. Watching the families grow and improve not only their parenting knowledge and skills, but also their life circumstances, is truly rewarding.
Tell us about a time when you knew you made an impact on a family.
I had a family a couple of years ago from South Africa. This family had a language barrier and needed much help navigating and applying for different types of assistance. I helped the family apply and obtain help with food, medical and dental care, education and housing. Dad went on to obtain a CDL and get a great job driving a truck and the family was even able to eventually purchase their own home.
What is something people might not know about home visiting?
I feel people might not be aware of the significance of the relationships between family educators and their families. Not only do family educators impact the families they serve, the families also leave a lasting impact on family educators. They show us the power of resilience, determination and love of family.
Rosalinda Peralta, Hazleton EHS
What made you want to become a family educator?
A parent’s well being is just as important as a child’s. A healthy parent creates a healthy environment for a child to thrive in. Becoming a family educator would support my philosophy by working one-on-one with parents.
What is the best part of being a family educator?
Seeing the results of my efforts will always be the best part of being a family educator. The opportunity to see the impact I’ve made in families makes it worth it. Seeing the children run up to me is a lovely bonus, too.
Tell us about a time when you knew you made an impact on a family.
Back in 2022 was when I truly realized I had made an impact. The family I was working with didn’t have the means to surprise their kids with Christmas presents. I was able to provide them with donations such as diapers, high chairs and seasonal clothes which they needed. Having both parents cry while hugging me touched my heart.
What is something people might not know about home visiting?
Something people might not know about home visiting is the amount of strength needed when facing the less fortunate cases and keeping a professional face while helping them move forward.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
My path in Head Start first started 11 years ago back in New Jersey where I first began as a volunteer. I volunteered for almost six years before moving to Pennsylvania and working for Head Start again.
Maria Price, Wilkes-Barre EHS
What made you want to become a family educator?
Being bilingual in Spanish, I saw an opportunity to support non-English speaking families who might otherwise miss out on the valuable resources Head Start provides to the community.
What is the best part of being a family educator?
As I started my role as a family educator, I quickly discovered how rewarding it is to empower parents to overcome personal challenges by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to reach their goals. This promotes overall family well being that ultimately reflects in the well being of their children.
Tell us about a time when you knew you made an impact on a family.
One moment that stands out is when a parent with very limited English stepped up as Parent Committee chairman, something she never imagined doing. With ongoing coaching and support, she gained enough confidence to lead meetings. This instilled in her the motivation to continue on by enrolling in ESL classes. Nothing was stopping her!
What is something people might not know about home visiting?
Most people don’t realize that home visiting goes far beyond child development. It builds trust, bonds that strengthen families, and often becomes the only consistent support system some parents may have. It is meaningful to know you are helping families grow in ways that may impact for generations.
By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate
