The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has hired a new Director of Children’s Services. Kelly Emery will start her new position on June 16. Emery is joining the municipality from the Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services, having held the position of Manager of Childcare Services for the last two years. Previously, Emery held the position of Program Advisor with the Ministry of Education for six years. She also served for 18 years as a Childcare Supervisor with the City of Chatham and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
The Director of Children’s Services oversees two municipal directly-operated childcare learning centres and multiple service agreements with non-profit childcare providers. The director also manages wage subsidies, special needs resourcing for Early Years programs, and the Best Start program, which involves combining pre-school, junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, quality childcare, public health and parenting programs, and other supplemental services into one seamless system that supports families and children.
“We are very pleased that Kelly has accepted this position,” said Lucy Brown, General Manager of Health and Family Services, “as her unique combination of municipal, provincial and school board experience will be an asset as we continue to move forward with the Best Start program and with the Early Learning Full Day kindergarten in partnership with the local school boards. Kelly will bring strong leadership to a devoted staff and be an invaluable team member with our community partners. We welcome Kelly back to working for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.”
