Jerry A. Graham, MA Ed. STEPS Regional Specialist

Supporting providers in two regions:

• 11 participants in the Eastern Region
• 8 participants in the Piedmont Region

"My name is Marlene Campbell. The STEPS program has helped Mama Marlee's Family Day Home Program in so many ways. They have been a blessing in providing tools on how to help with transitions with the children, helping me organize my workspace, purchasing and planning our painting project, also helping with updating my policy handbook and creating a quick reference guide for my staff, which is a great addition to our program. As we started out with Angela, and I will miss her and send her the best with everything; Jerry has been a great and knowledgeable person to take her place. I appreciate from the bottom of my heart for everything the STEPS program has done in partnering with us."

Marlene Campbell
Mama Marlee's Family Day Home Program
Roanoke, Virginia

"In July of 2017, I was contacted by Angela Rouse - Grant Coordinator for JMU. Angela gave me an overview of the STEPS Program. I agreed to meet with her and sign up for the program.  The last two years have been life-changing for me as well as for my Childcare Business.  I have received supplies such as a changing table and pad, a book display, and an outside soccer game, just to name a few things.
Professionally I have received a lot of support and guidance from Jerry Anthony Graham who is the S.T.E.P.S. Eastern Regional Specialist on transitioning from one activity to another, how to deal with certain behaviors, how to talk to a parent about their child’s behavior, parent handbook, sick policy, labeling toys on the shelves, etc. 
March of this year has changed the way Professional Child Care Providers run their Child Care Business due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Jerry Graham has called once a week to see how I and the children are doing and if we need anything.  He has also been doing weekly provider emotional support videos and children's read-aloud videos which have been very helpful to us all."

Sonnia Jones
Rocky Mount, Virginia

"This program has been a great resource for me. When I was first introduced to the program I was a little skeptical but over time I came to see that this program was exactly what I needed. Jerry has been awesome. He has helped me through some of my most difficult times with a 2-year-old with behavior problems. The resources he provided are currently in use and the child's progress is coming along.
The incentive that DDM childcare received was needed to help the business grow. This is a wonderful opportunity for DDM Childcare as it pertains to the support, guidance, resources, and the amazing partnership we have developed with Jerry and the program. We look forward to the future and continued success with the program."

Trenity Cherry
Suffolk, Virginia

"The STEPS Program has been nothing short of amazing to me and my program. My name is Arketa Washington, and I am an in-home VR childcare provider, currently working toward my license to keep up to 12 children at a time.  I have been VR for 5 years and had been a part of other programs, but STEPS and Jerry have really opened up the vast world and opportunities of having my own business and as well as being a professional provider in my community. Anything that is asked of Jerry and the STEPS program is always met with a prompt answer and the proper resources to take my program to the excellent level it should be. Jerry has gone as far as looking to offer parent handbooks, making corrections, giving positive feedback, finding monetary resources to fund visions, and even creating a quiz for my parent handbook. He is a true advocate for STEPS and goes to every extent to fulfill their vision. At first, I thought the STEPS program was something like the other programs, but the vision to help providers like myself is genuine.  During this Pandemic, STEPS has given me funding for licensing application and zoning fees, brought fresh ideas and different toys to my program on many occasions. I am grateful to be a part of this vision and have such an awesome Spokesman that really focuses on making in-home childcare better, and professional. Far grateful that they decided to reach out to me and providers. They have sent out many emails daily to make sure we do not need anything and are taking precautions during COVID 19. Every grant, loan program that is willing to help us out during this pandemic, Jerry has researched, sent out links, given numbers and information to connect us to helpful resources. He truly walks us through it and is there to serve us. Forever grateful, and can’t wait to see what new concepts and visions STEPS and Jerry will unfold in this new year!”

Arketa Washington
Danville, Virginia

"This program has helped me a great deal with materials and educational resources I've needed for my childcare program.   Jerry is very knowledgeable in his field and a great person to know. He is literally my go-to guy for any new information and help, pertaining to my childcare business and my children's needs. I appreciate all the training, help and support this organization has given me. I look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you."

Cha’Teria Walker
Hampton, Virginia

"Summer was approaching faster than we could prepare for.  With the rapid growth of my child center, we were in desperate need of a defined, fenced area for children to play.  This is when I was introduced to the Shared, Training, Education and Professional Services (STEPS) program.  Mrs. Angela was the contact person and the day we met was the day heaven opened and poured out a blessing through the STEPS program.  Initially, I was interested in the program to receive financial aid for a newly constructed playground area.   STEPS not only provided supplies for my program but it gave emotional support, behind the scene support, educational support, and training.  Later on, I was introduced to Mr. Jerry Graham, an angel in disguise.  Mr. Jerry has provided above and beyond support and help to my program.  From helping out during the times visited, to giving advice and feedback from observations, to helping organize the curriculum, and the biggest help given was completing a much-needed Family Day Home Handbook.  Yes, I do appreciate all the much needed and heavily used supplies that was given to Loving Care, but no monetary support can compare to that of the behind the scene work that Mr. Jerry stepped in and offered.  After a long day of working with children; being the teacher, the nurse, the cafeteria lady, the counselor; then dealing with parents, then having evenings consumed with being the accountant, the bill payer, the janitor, the garbage woman; it is good to have Mr. Jerry to be able to dump some of the behind the scene tasks on, knowing that it will get done in a professional manner that I can trust.  Mr. Jerry’s professional, yet calm and patient nature is an added plus.  My, life, the life of my center, employees and children have all benefited from STEPS and we all have been made better!  This program is amazing and needs to continue for generations to come!  Thank you so much!"

Tamia Colbert
Lynchburg, Virginia