Montgomery County Launches ‘ELEVATE Podcast’ to Empower Parents and Educators

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Early Childhood Services, a program of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has launched the first episode of its “ELEVATE Podcast,” a new initiative designed to support parents, educators and community partners in fostering the growth and development of young children.

Co-hosted by DHHS Early Childhood Services staff members Inette Bolden, a coach coordinator, and Jennifer Ferreira, a family resource specialist, the “ELEVATE Podcast” offers expert insights, real-life stories and practical advice to help create enriching learning environments. The podcast will cover a variety of topics, such as developmental milestones, social-emotional growth, play-based learning and effective parenting strategies—providing valuable resources for families, educators and residents.

“Investing in early childhood education is one of the most important things we can do to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The ‘ELEVATE Podcast’ is an exciting step forward in providing families and educators with the tools and knowledge they need to support young children’s growth. As someone who spent years in the classroom, I know firsthand the value of a strong early learning foundation, and I’m proud that our County continues to prioritize this critical work.”

The name “ELEVATE” reflects the core principles of high-quality early childhood experiences:

• Engage: Building connections with the community that nurtures and advocates for young children.
• Learn: Promoting lifelong learning for both children and educators.
• Empower: Offering support and building confidence for caregivers and educators.
• Value: Highlighting diverse perspectives within the early childhood community.
• Access: Providing tools, strategies and resources for families and educators.
• Teach: Sharing best practices in early childhood education and fostering home-school collaboration.
• Enrich: Creating meaningful, diverse learning experiences for children.

The first episode features a conversation with Jennifer Arnaiz, senior administrator of DHHS’ Early Childhood Services, who shares her insights on the significance of early childhood development and the County’s commitment to supporting families and educators.

“We are thrilled to launch the ‘ELEVATE Podcast’ as a platform to engage, educate and empower those who care for young children,” said Ms. Bolden. “This podcast will serve as a key resource in strengthening early childhood experiences and building a strong foundation for future generations.”

Listeners are invited to tune in to “ELEVATE” to stay informed, inspired and connected to a dynamic community of early childhood advocates. The podcast is available now on the Child Care Support Services’ website and various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music. and Spotify. Follow @DHHSCCSS on social media for updates and discussions on upcoming episodes.

DHHS Early Childhood Services is located at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200, in Rockville. Walk-in hours are 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 240-777-GROW (4769) or visit the DHHS Child Care Support Services website.

Stay connected with DHHS Child Care Support Services on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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Release ID: 25-151
Media Contact: Michelle Vaca
Categories: Consumer, Education, Health