Leadership

The Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Head Start Policy Council, and administrative team at Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) are committed to the thousands of citizens we serve each year in Mississippi. With strong checks and balances, the Agency’s fiscal integrity remains intact. With visionary leadership from the Board and CEO, creative and clear direction helps maintain focus. With unwavering loyalty and dedication, the Head Start Policy Council ensures quality educational experiences for children. With impeccable professionalism and commitment to the Agency’s mission, the administrative team ensures that the work gets done. This is the leadership of Hinds County Human Resource Agency.

The War on Poverty requires a strong army, and that army is only as strong as its leadership. Fueled by the desire to help others help themselves, the leadership of HCHRA is always looking for new funding sources, creative ideas, and passionate volunteers. Our leaders understand that they cannot do it alone. The CEO serves as the visionary – establishing viable plans on how to attack poverty, and the Board provides general oversight of policy and procedures – ensuring that all plans are within acceptable guidelines and the Agency remains fiscally strong.

Board of Directors

The Hinds County Human Resource Agency’s (HCHRA) Board of Directors is a 15-member policy-making entity that meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Each member of the Board must sign and adhere to a Board Members Code of Ethics and the Agency’s Bylaws. While the CEO oversees the Agency’s day-to-day operations, the Board serves as the CEO’s “supervisor”, providing oversight and ensuring that policies and procedures are upheld. All general Board meetings are open to the public.

Under the leadership of a Board, Chairman, and Executive Committee, the HCHRA Board of Directors is a well-functioning Governing Body that supports the CEO and the Agency. They ensure that all policies and procedures are appropriately upheld and, when necessary, adjusted to meet the evolving needs of the citizens we serve. To ensure effectiveness, the Board operates in accordance with Agency Bylaws. The Board also participates in ongoing board development and training, which helps them keep pace with current trends within the community action arena, the state of Mississippi, and the world.

President & CEO

Kenn Cockrell is President & CEO of Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) in Jackson, Mississippi – where he has worked since June 17, 1985. In addition to extensive executive management experience, Cockrell has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Jackson State University and has done graduate studies in Public Administration and Public Policy at the University of Georgia and Jackson State University, respectively. As CEO, Cockrell oversees 400 employees spread from the Agency’s Central Office in Jackson to 16 Head Start and Early Centers located throughout Jackson and Hinds County. For information about HCHRA and/or the services provided, call (601) 923-3930.

As President & CEO of one of the largest Community Action Agencies in Mississippi, Kenn Cockrell has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Starting as the Director of Planning & Evaluation, Cockrell learned every aspect of the business and, within eight years, was chosen by the Board of Directors to run the organization. A firm believer in community involvement, Cockrell served on numerous boards, including Leadership Jackson Alumni Council, Middle Mississippi Girl Scouts Council, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Mississippi Center for Non-Profits, Mississippi Families for Kids, and Central Mississippi Literacy Council. He also has memberships with several organizations such as the National Community Action Foundation, Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies, and the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare.

During his tenure as the CEO of Hinds County Human Resource Agency, Cockrell has taken the Agency from a small operation to one with a multi-million dollar budget. From 2001 through 2016 (15 years), he has served as President of the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies (MACAA) – further testament to his level of knowledge and experience. Yet, he understands that without community support, there is no community action.

The President & CEO recently said:

In the midst of an ever-evolving economic landscape that is often challenging to maneuver, Hinds County Human Resource Agency has maintained the ability to provide quality service for the citizens we serve…and we’ve done so because of our community partners.

They show how much they care by sharing their time and resources to ensure that we continue to provide quality service. Over our more than 40-year history, thousands of Mississippi residents have benefitted from the many programs and services we offer.

I shudder to think about what would happen to our many neighbors and loved ones, if this agency did not have community support. Generosity makes a difference in people’s lives every day.

While this Agency has accomplished much, there is still much to do. Until poverty is eradicated, Hinds County Human Resource Agency will continue…Helping Families and Strengthening Communities.

Head Start Policy Council

Pursuant to 45 CFR Section 1304.50 of the Head Start Act, the Hinds County Human Resource Agency Head Start Policy Council consists of 29-35 members and serves as a link to Parent Committees, the HCHRA Governing Board of Directors, public and private organizations, and the communities served. The Council is composed of Head Start parents, representatives from the HCHRA Board of Directors, and citizens from the community. This composition ensures that parents and community representatives have an opportunity and are empowered to actively participate in the shared decision-making process of Hinds County Project Head Start.

The Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) acknowledges that it is essential for the Head Start Program to reflect the community as a whole. Therefore, pursuant to 45 CFR Section 1304.50 of the Program Performance Standards for the Operation of Head Start Programs, a formal Policy Council structure was developed to ensure that Head Start parents and other community representatives have accessibility and encouragement to participate in shared decision-making fully. To ensure effectiveness, Policy Council members must participate in various training and assessment activities. HCHRA’s Vice President for Head Start oversees the Council, ensuring all responsibilities are effectively and expeditiously carried out.

Policy Council Officers

Rachel Duffin
Secretary

Shamsie Ruffin
Assistant Secretary
 

Policy Council Representatives

Kshavia Bass
Oak Forest

Emerald Bullock
Oak Forest EHS
 
Adam Concepcion
St. Thomas

Rachel Duffin
Westside

Corzetta Johnson
Mary C. Jones Head Start

Tiffany Nolen Johnson
Midtown

Asha Levy
South Jackson

Chinesha Maxie
Holy Ghost EHS

Chantisha McAfee
Eulander Kendrick

Alisha Mosley
Willowood

Shanita Ransom
Della J. Caugills EHS

Shamsie Ruffin
Richard Brandon

Erica Terry
Martin Head Start

LaKenya Turner
Edwards Head Start

LaQuasha Turner
Edwards Early Head Start

 

Policy Council Community Representatives

Derrick Casher
Community Representative

Bonnie Florence
Community Representative

Mary Hamilton
Community Representative

Sylvia McIntyre
Community Representative

Brenda Sutton
Community Representative

Willard L. Spires
HCHRA Board Liaison

Executive Management

Hinds County Human Resource Agency’s (HCHRA) leadership includes a highly-qualified team of senior administrators and directors with more than 200 years of professional experience. Areas of expertise include human resources; board and office administration; social work; counseling; psychology; accounting; purchasing and procurement; public relations; and marketing. Because HCHRA is an agency with multiple programs that address a variety of community needs, it is crucial that the leadership has significant experience and a strong knowledge base. This mission-driven and caring group of professionals dedicates themselves to the Hinds County, Mississippi community and re-commits each year to improve the previous year’s efforts.

HCHRA employs approximately 400 staffers. While the CEO has general oversight, senior staff manage day-to-day departmental operations.

Department of Family Opportunties (DFO)

Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) created an internal division called the Department of Family Opportunities (DFO). It was developed to meet all HCHRA’s desired case management outputs and outcomes. In addition to providing access to our internal services, HCHRA plans to maintain current partnerships and linkages with other community service providers and, whenever possible, identify and solidify additional opportunities to leverage more support for the families we serve.

HCHRA is engaged in extensive planning, training, engagement, and customization process requiring regular attendance, consensus building, and model development. The elements of the standard operating procedure include:

  • Standardized policies for service delivery, including common language and definitions.
  • Data models are organized by domains identifying services and outcomes and how they are associated for purposes of service delivery, reporting, and evaluation.
  • Assessment scales for measuring client progress and documenting achievement of outcomes.
  • A standardized case management process.
  • Service delivery map or flowchart.

Fiscal Department

HCHRA operates at the highest level of integrity and fiscal responsibility. Since 1996, HCHRA has consistently received a clean audit. For 21 consecutive years, auditors have reviewed our financial statements and found our records to be accurate, complete, and per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

HCHRA is a public, non-profit organization that fully complies with all IRS requirements. This includes filing and providing for public inspection the Form 990. For more detailed financial information, visit our reports & plans. Hinds County Human Resource Agency strives to ensure that its operations are carried out in a highly ethical, transparent, and trustworthy manner. The vast array of community services and programs HCHRA provides is made possible by public and private donations, local, state, and federal grants and contracts.

Head Start/Early Head Start

HCHRA administers the Head Start Program offering comprehensive child development services to more than 1,900 preschool children in Hinds County. The program has experienced exponential growth since its start in 1986, with 800 children enrolled. HCHRA operated 13 Head Start centers and 7 satellite classrooms that serve three and four-year-olds, and 4 Early Head Start centers which serve expectant
mothers and infants and toddlers from birth to age three.

HCHRA’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve around 2,345 children (including 75 who received special education) during an average school year. HCHRA staff attends to the developmental needs of these children in 106 classrooms, 5 days a week, for a minimum of 6 hours each day, with Head Start children attending school 168 days during the school year, and Early Head Start students attend 201 days.

While education is the principal focus, promoting health and stability in the homes of our Head Start families is just as important. The Head Start program helps qualifying children succeed educationally by providing activities to help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. The Head Start program is designed to educate three- and four-year-olds and prepare them to be developmentally ready to transition into kindergarten.

Personnel Department

Hinds County Human Resource Agency’s (HCHRA) Personnel Department handles various critical functions to help meet the agency’s needs, managers, and staff. Personnel assists all departments in hiring and training employees, implementing company policies and procedures, ensuring fair labor laws are followed, and much more.

Three of the primary functions of the Personnel Department are to recruit, hire, and train new employees. The staff members in the personnel department must advertise new positions as they become available, interview qualified candidates, and hire the best people for the job. Once hired, new employees must fill out payroll forms, select healthcare packages, benefits, and complete other orientation paperwork. All of this information is kept on file in the Personnel Department.

The department also handles employee-relations issues. HCHRA employs almost 400 staff members, and inevitably, problems arise. When there are misunderstandings or disputes between employees, our personnel leadership team helps mediate the situations.

Company training opportunities, tuition assistance, workers’ compensation claims, maternity leave requests, and employee orientation is also handled through the Personnel Department. All personnel staff’s duties are designed to ensure that HCHRA functions as successfully as possible.

Planning & Development

Planning & Development Department

This department is responsible for planning, developing, and organizing support activities needed to achieve the desired goals and outcomes within agency programs. HCHRA recognizes that planning is a fundamental property of a business structure. We create these individual plans for each program and department, but we also look at “Big Picture” planning or strategic plans for the agency as a whole. Each division within the Planning and Development Department has a unique function in supporting HCHRA.

Planning & Development Division

HCHRA has 11 different grants or programs that operate simultaneously. The Planning & Development Division is responsible for grant review, analysis, writing, reporting, and submission. The P&D Division also conducts the Annual Community Strengths and Needs Assessment, our Annual Report to the Public, Community Action Plan, and our agency’s Strategic Plan.

Communications & Development Division

The Communications & Development Division provides us with the format, layout, design, and language needed to relay that message clearly. We do this in many different ways. We produce radio, television, and newspaper ads and update the website or create flyers, calendars, memos, letters, and hundreds of internal forms and documents each year.

The Communications & Development Division is responsible for event planning, fundraising, media relations, and interacting with professional and civic organizations. They will recruit and invite keynote speakers, musicians, public officials, hosts, and many others to participate in our community events while protecting and maintaining the image and message that HCHRA strives to uphold.

Quality Assurance Division

Throughout the agency, we monitor our outcomes to understand how the plan is working, if the plan and/or policies communicated are being interpreted and implemented as we intended, and what changes or corrections to the plan we need to revisit. The Quality Assurance Division gives us a real-time perspective on how well we plan. It helps us narrow the field by identifying what pieces are missing and who missed them, allowing us to provide more specific training and resource allocation to training staff.

Property Management & Accountability

The Department of Property Management and Accountability is responsible for developing and enforcing policies, standards, and metrics that guarantee effective management, control, and accounting of Agency property while maintaining high accountability.

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