Rockland Lawmakers Recognize Longtime Head Start Executive Director

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Legislature recently honored longtime child educator and administrator Ouida Foster Toutebon, who has served as Executive Director of Head Start of Rockland for nearly two decades.

Lawmakers Dana G. Stilley, Beth J. Davidson and Toney L. Earl presented the Suffern resident with the Distinguished Service Award, the Legislature’s highest honor, as they highlighted the many contributions she has made to children, the community and the county.

"I have known Ouida Toutebon to be an outstanding community leader in various capacities for many years,” Stilley said. “Most notable is her exceptional career as the Executive Director of Head Start. Her vision and leadership have resulted in expanded health, nutrition and early childhood education services that have prepared thousands of children across our county for success in elementary school and beyond. "

Born and raised in White Plains, Toutebon earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from North Carolina A&T State University, a Master of Science Degree in Education from Long Island University, and her Supervision and Administration certification from SUNY New Paltz. She is also a UCLA Johnson and Johnson Fellow and a graduate of Leadership Rockland.

Toutebon began her professional career as a teacher with Head Start programs in Yonkers and White Plains. She later became a caseworker with the Westchester County Department of Social Services. But in 1989, she was back with Head Start, this time joining the Head Start of Rockland family, where she was appointed Executive Director 17 years ago.

Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. It currently serves 1,400 low-income children in Rockland County annually.

The program makes a significant difference because it promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Without Head Start, too many children would simply not be ready for school — falling behind before they’ve even started, the lawmakers said.

“Ouida Toutebon is an exceptional advocate for Rockland County's children and families,” Davidson said. “Ouida leaves an indelible imprint on our county and community. While Ouida will be missed at Head Start, I know that many Rockland organizations will continue to benefit from her servant leadership."

Toutebon is proudly a woman of faith and a long-time member of Union Baptist Church in White Plains where she supports the ministries of the church and is the president of the Floral Ministry.

Her history of volunteerism includes her service as past president of the New York State Head Start Association; past president of the Palisades Association for the Education of Young Children; and past president of both Meals on Wheels of Rockland and Habitat for Humanity of Rockland.

She currently serves on the board of the Institute for Non-profits, and as the third vice president of the board of the Spring Valley NAACP. Toutebon is also Immediate Past President of the Rockland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is the secretary of the board of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund Inc. and is also a member of the 21C Board of Directors.

Members of the sorority and the Head Start program were among those attending the ceremony.

“If you’re wondering how she finds the time, you know the old saying, if you want something to get done, just ask a busy person to do it,” Earl said. “Ouida Foster Toutebon has been getting the job done for decades. Countless children and families throughout Rockland County and elsewhere are the beneficiaries of her selfless dedication to getting whatever job she takes on done - and done well.”

Of all her many undertakings, Toutebon said, her most important have always been her “three loves,” as she calls them – her children - Omar, Kofi, and Jessica. While retiring from Head Start, she plans to remain active in community efforts.