It meets to identify and address important issues affecting early childhood education and development in Virginia Beach. By coming together regularly, the team can have a greater collective impact than any individual or organization can achieve alone.
The GrowSmart Team is responsible for implementing GrowSmart's strategic vision.
GrowSmart Team Members
Larmaya Kilgore
GrowSmart Development Specialist
Virginia Beach Dept. of Economic Development
Phone: (757) 385-6434
Email: lkilgore@vbgov.com
Amanda Caton
Healthy Families Supervisor
Community Visiting Team / Virginia Beach Dept of Public Health
Phone: (757) 518-2662
Email: amanda.caton@vdh.virginia.gov
Vacant
GrowSmart Administrative Specialist
Virginia Beach Dept. of Economic Development
Phone: (757) 385-6495
Email: vbgrowsmart@vbgov.com
Andrea B. Burford
Family and Community Partnerships Manager
Family Services/Engagement (Head Start)
Phone: (757) 962-8005
Email: aburford@milehigh-kids.org
Ashley Stoddard
Collective Impact Assistant
Eastern Virginia Medical School- Minus 9 to 5
Email: StoddaAM@evms.edu
Aynmarie Carter
BH/DS Educator II
Virginia Beach Dept. of Human Services
Phone: (757) 477-3880
Email: aycarter@vbgov.com
Brandi Mezzapeso, RN
BabyCare Supervisor
Virginia Beach Department of Public Health
Phone: (757) 518-2755
Email: brandi.mezzapeso@vdh.virginia.gov
Brittany Peeples
Pre-K Family Engagement Specialist - Department of Teaching and Learning
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1070 ext. 31427
Email: bnpeeple@vbschools.com
Cardell Patillo, Jr. M.A., M. Div
Executive Director
Mile High Kids & Community Development/Head Start
Phone: (757) 962-8005
Email: cpatillo@milehigh-kids.org
Cari Hall
Elementary Language Arts Coordinator
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1070
Email: cari.hall@vbschools.com
Dr. Lorena Kelly
Executive Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1429
Email: Lorena.kelly@vbschools.com
Gina Martinez
Community Relations Representatives III
Anthem HealthKeepers Plus 0
Phone: (757) 439-2863
Email: gina.laudone@anthem.com
Gloria Walker
Kinship Navigator - Housing Resource Center
Virginia Beach Human Services
Phone: (757) 385-3636
Email: gawalker@vbgov.com
Iris Hatten
Recreation Specialist II, Out-of-School Time Programs Unit/Early Childhood
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Dept.
Phone: (757) 385-0425
Email: ihatten@vbgov.com
Jennifer McElwee
Infant Program/EI-Part C Supervisor II
Virginia Beach Dept. of Human Services
Phone: (757) 385-4425
Email: JMcElwee@vbgov.com
Jennifer S Pagano
Supervisor I Early Intervention
Virginia Beach Infant Program
Phone: (757) 385-4429
Email: jpagano@vbgov.com
Jessica Crawford
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Case Liaison
Fleet and Family Support Center- JEB Little Creek-Fort Story
Phone: (757) 462-7563
Email: Jessica.crawford2@navy.mil
Jessica Hale
Infant Program/EI-Part C Supervisor I
Virginia Beach Dept. of Human Services
Phone: (757) 385-4450
Email: Jmhale@vbgov.com
Josetta Thomae, PhD
Clinical Services Coordinator/Clinician IV
Virginia Beach Dept. of Human Services
Phone: (757) 385-1224
Email: jcthomae@vbgov.com
Keith Enty
Work and Family Life Consultant
Fleet and Family Support Center - JEB Little Creek-Fort Story
Phone: (757) 462-7563
Email: Keith.a.enty.civ@us.navy.mil
Kristen Whalen
Director
Parish Day School
Phone: (757) 491-6130
Email: kwhalen@easternshorechapel.org
Laura Silverman
Director of Title I
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1070
Email: Laura.Silverman@vbschools.com
Lauren Small
Certified Business Analyst - Early Education Small Business Program
Hampton Roads SBDC
Phone: (757) 618-9218
Email: lauren@earlyeducationbusiness.com
Laurie Shaw
Nurse Manager Sr.
Virginia Beach Dept. of Public Health
Phone: (757) 518-2673
Email: laurie.shaw@vdh.virginia.gov
Leah Williams-Rumbley
Senior Director of Advocacy
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & the Eastern Shore
Phone: (757) 314-4572
Email: lwilliamsrumbley@foodbankonline.org
Maleah Amos
Director of Health Equity
Virginia Department of Health
Phone: (804) 489-6349
Email: maleah.amos@vdh.virginia.gov
Marisa Powell
Family Services Specialist II
Virginia Beach Dept. of Human Services, Employment Services and Childcare Assistance Program
Phone: (757) 385-3243
Email: MPowell@vbgov.com
Matthew Haddox
Youth Services Coordinator
Virginia Beach Central Library
Phone: (757) 385-0193
Email: mhaddox@vbgov.com
Ninah Pearson
Child & Family Wellbeing Program Manager
Virginia Beach Human Services
Phone: (757) 385-3284
Email: npearson@vbgov.com
Rachelle Perkins
Emergency Case Manager/Individual Deployment Support Specialist/Information and Referral
Fleet and Family Support Center - JEB Little Creek/Fort Story
Phone: (757) 462-4144
Email: Rachelle.Perkins.ctr@navy.mil
Rebecca Carter
Pre-K Instructional Specialist
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1614
Email: Rebecca.Carter@vbschools.com
Robyn Cady
Early Literacy Coordinator
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1070
Email: robyn.backer@vbschools.com
Sean Wynn
Manager, Hampton Roads Developmental Screening Initiative
United Way of South Hampton Roads
Phone: (757) 853-8500
Email: swynn@unitedwayshr.org
Sherri Farrow
Education and Program Quality Manager
Mile High Kids and Community Development
Phone: (757) 962-8005
Email: sfarrow@milehighkids.org
Tonya Evans
Family Engagement Specialist - Pre-K Program
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Phone: (757) 263-1297
Email: tfevans@vbschools.com
Tori Stamps
SNAP Community Access Manager
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
Phone: (757) 273-7294
Email: tstamps@foodbankonline.org
Tyler Savage
Outreach and Communications Office Coordinator
EVMS Minus 9 to 5
Phone: (757) 446-7428
Email: savagetl@evms.edu
William Watkins
Education and Training Supervisor - Fleet and Family Support Center
FFSC Little Creek
Phone: (757) 462-7563
Email: William.Watkins1.ctr@navy.mil
Winter Jones, MA
NAVY Exceptional Family Member Program Case Liaison
Fleet and Family Support Center - Little Creek-Fort Story
Phone: (757) 462-3547
Email: winter.d.jones2.naf@us.navy.mil