Rutland County Head Start names Weiss new Director

Dr. Lauren Weiss, Director, Rutland County Head Start 

Rutland County Head Start (RCHS), a program within the Rutland Community Programs division of Community Care Network, today announced that it has named Lauren Weiss, Ph.D., as its new Director.

“I am excited for the opportunity to help guide RCHS and ensure that the program continues to serve as a vital resource for our community, as it has for over three decades,” said Weiss. “RCHS plays an essential role in supporting children and families during the earliest and most important years of development. The program is much more than early education – it is a comprehensive system of care that connects learning, health, family partnership and community resources so that children can grow in safe, nurturing environments and families feel supported along the way.”

Weiss, who has served in an interim director capacity with RCHS since late 2025, first joined RCHS as its Disability Manager where she led program-wide implementation of tiered supports, oversaw assessment, evaluation and programming systems for children and infants, and coordinated collaborative intervention planning in partnership with early intervention providers, local school districts and community mental health agencies.

Additionally, Weiss developed and directed RCHS’ recent developmental classroom project which equips educators with practical strategies, fidelity tools and coaching supports to strengthen inclusion and improve outcomes for children with developmental and social-emotional needs.

Prior to joining RCHS, Weiss, who holds a Ph.D. in special education and licensure in behavior analysis, served as an early childhood and special education faculty member at Vermont State University. Weiss’ professional background, which spans early childhood education, behavioral psychology and program leadership, also includes multiple leadership roles within autism treatment programs.

“I have long-viewed RCHS as both a trusted partner for families and a vital piece of community infrastructure that helps children get the strongest possible start,” said Weiss. “Our team brings professionalism, compassion and a deep commitment to the children and families we serve. They understand that relationships are the center of this work, and they show up every day ready to support children’s growth while building trust with families.”

Weiss added that she strongly believes when families have access to strong early childhood programs, the impact extends across the entire community.

“Children enter school ready to learn, families build confidence and stability, and communities benefit from stronger long-term educational and social outcomes,” said Weiss. “Our work carries big responsibility, and my goal is to help ensure that RCHS continues to be a place where children feel safe and eager to learn, families feel respected and supported, and staff feel empowered to do their best.”

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About Rutland County Head Start: For over 30 years, Rutland County Head Start (RCHS) has been improving the lives of families through a free program of high-quality early childhood education paired with holistic support services. RCHS is so much more than a preschool. Head Start (ages 3-5) and Early Head Start (ages 0-3) provide high-quality education, healthy meals, medical and dental screenings, and holistic support for the entire family to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. To learn more, visit rutlandcountyheadstart.org.

About Community Care Network: Community Care Network (CCN) is comprised of Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs. The programs of CCN serve more than 3,500 people each year throughout Rutland County across the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use recovery, senior and volunteer, and early childhood education services. CCN is focused on enhancing the health and well-being of those it serves through responsive, innovative and collaborative services that offer support across the lifespan. To learn more, visit www.rmhsccn.org.