Cathy M. Stripp
Springdale
Summary
Dynamic Early Childhood Leader with over 25 years of experience in driving program excellence and nurturing team development. Proven ability to mentor staff, implement innovative curricula, and achieve high-quality program outcomes aligned with educational standards. Committed to promoting holistic child development through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts. Passionate about fostering an enriching learning environment that empowers both educators and young learners.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavior Health A Ssociate
Yellowrock Behavioral Health
Springdale, AR
11.2025 - Current
- Facilitated therapeutic group sessions to support patient engagement and recovery.
- Monitored patient behavior and communicated observations to clinical team for informed decision-making.
- Assisted in developing individualized care plans through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Implemented crisis intervention techniques to ensure safety and stability in high-stress situations.
- Trained new staff on best practices for patient interaction and behavioral management strategies.
- Analyzed program outcomes to drive improvements in service delivery and patient satisfaction.
- Oversaw compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring quality assurance in all health programs.
Family Enrichment Specialist
Economic Opportunity Agency
Springdale, AR
08.2025 - 11.2025
- Developed and implemented enrichment programs enhancing client engagement and skill development.
- Collaborated with community partners to expand resource availability for low-income families.
- Conducted assessments to tailor services according to individual client needs and goals.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices in program delivery and client support.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through feedback collection and analysis, driving continuous improvement.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance on effective teaching strategies.
- Established a positive classroom culture through clear expectations and consistent routines, fostering a sense of community among students.
Patient Activity Specialist
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas
11.2006 - 09.2024
- Assessing patient interests, needs, capabilities, and concerns through observation, conversation, and medical records.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans and daily activity schedules that align with overall treatment goals
- Collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team (nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and hospital teachers)
- Promoting patient participation and providing encouragement and emotional support during activities
- Arranging and escorting patients on outings and special events
- Observing, analyzing, and documenting patient participation, reactions, and progress in charts and reports. Communicating patient progress or concerns to the treatment team and family members
- Maintaining records of attendance and cost. Ensuring activity areas are safe, clean, and well-maintained
- Microsoft Office 365 Site Administrator for the Child Life and Education Department provided access, set-up and training for all new employees
- Orients and supervises hospital volunteers, American Core and specialist visitors
- Served as the department EPIC super user (electronic medical record system) training for all new employees for the Child Life and Education Department staff and students. Serving as department EPIC super user
- Collaborated with Play-well/Game-Changers to provide patients with bedside video games hospital wide. Additionally receive 8 fully loaded Xbox with additional controllers and security cases
- Manages CCTV programming to provide patients with interactive activities and shows at bedside
- Served as the chair of shared governance committee and patient experience representative for the Child Life and Education Department for 3 years
- Plans and facilitates hospital wide special events for patients and families to increase normalization and aid in coping
- Plans, coordinates, and facilitates annual toy donation drive in order to supply and maintain materials for the Child Life and Education Department
- Manages in-kind donations and materials management for Child Life and Education Department
Service Coordinator/Early Childhood Developmental Specialist
Pathfinder, Inc.
Little Rock, Arkansas
07.2013 - 06.2014
- Responsible for the supervision of the Individual Program Plan (IPP) and Family Service Plan (IFSP) development of children assigned to my supervision
- Notified parents and appropriate staff of all required conferences and oversaw conferences as specified in the guidelines to insure that each student and family received specified services
- Provided communication to parents of the progress toward goals as planned by the IPP and IFSP by sending monthly and quarterly reports
- Provided support to classroom pertaining to the structure, transition, age-appropriate expectations, behavior modifications, child-directed activities and classroom management
Executive Director
St. Augustine Center for Children
North Little Rock, Arkansas
10.2009 - 06.2013
- Participated with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization and developed an operational plan to incorporate strategic goals
- Worked with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget
- Improved quality rating – received Better Beginnings Rating
- Managed volunteer and donor relations
- Researched funding sources, oversaw the development of fundraising plans and wrote funding proposals to increase the cash flow of the organization
- Administered the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
- Determined staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery and managed daily staffing patterns
- Ensured that all staff received an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training was provided
- Initiated performance improvement plans with staff and regularly monitored compliance with employees’ performance goals
- Represented the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile
Head Start Site Manager/Lead Teacher
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
11.2006 - 10.2009
- Guided and facilitated activities of the children, including: daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom
- Developed and implemented curricula in the classroom
- Maintained a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child’s work, and a developmental assessment, completed as per procedure
- Conducted home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child’s individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations
- Met bi-weekly with coordinators to exchange information pertinent to the identification and services of children with disabilities and met monthly with the mental health consultant to discuss mental health needs of children
- Worked with Teachers, Teacher Assistant and volunteers to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities
- Knowledgeable regarding Performance Standards and the component plans
Child Care Director
Rebsamen Medical Center
Jacksonville, Arkansas
06.2004 - 10.2006
Head Start Teacher/Director
Child Development Inc.
England, Arkansas
08.1999 - 08.2004
Head Start Site Manager/Teacher
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
11.2004 - 05.2004
Pre-K Teacher
Richmond County School District
Augusta, Georgia
08.1997 - 06.1999
Education
Associate Degree - Early Childhood Education
Augusta Technical College
Augusta, Georgia01-1997
B.A. - Biology
Augusta College
Augusta, Georgia01-1992
Skills
- Curriculum development leadership
- Employee development support
- Program management
- Oversight of curriculum design and execution
- Accreditation & Quality Improvement
- Parent & Community Engagement
- Child Development Principles
- Behavior Management & Conflict Resolution
- Clinical documentation
- Professional boundaries
- Self-harm prevention
- Mental health support
- Family engagement
Affiliations
- Arkansas Providers Association
- NAEYC member
- North Pulaski High School Career and Technical Educational Dept. Advisory Council
Certification
- CPR Certification
- RQI Provider – Children’s Hospital
- ServSafe Certification
- University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Services, 2005
- Provisional Certifications
- Completion of Core Knowledge
- Completion of New Director class
- Completion of Pre-K Ella
- Completion of INDEX
- Completion of Better Beginnings
- The Arkansas Children’s Program Administrators Certificate/Credential (ACPAC)
Timeline
Behavior Health A Ssociate
Yellowrock Behavioral Health
11.2025 - Current
Family Enrichment Specialist
Economic Opportunity Agency
08.2025 - 11.2025
Service Coordinator/Early Childhood Developmental Specialist
Pathfinder, Inc.
07.2013 - 06.2014
Executive Director
St. Augustine Center for Children
10.2009 - 06.2013
Patient Activity Specialist
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
11.2006 - 09.2024
Head Start Site Manager/Lead Teacher
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
11.2006 - 10.2009
Head Start Site Manager/Teacher
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
11.2004 - 05.2004
Child Care Director
Rebsamen Medical Center
06.2004 - 10.2006
Head Start Teacher/Director
Child Development Inc.
08.1999 - 08.2004
Pre-K Teacher
Richmond County School District
08.1997 - 06.1999
B.A. - Biology
Augusta College
Associate Degree - Early Childhood Education
Augusta Technical College