Mile High United Way recently named Judy Ham, president and CEO of CP of Colorado, as the winner of its prestigious Anna Jo Haynes Caring About Kids Award.  The award recognizes an individual who has made the highest level of commitment to early childhood education in metro Denver.

Over the past 20 years, Ham has participated on various local, regional and national committees related to issues such as disabilities, early education, children and employment.  She has worked to champion integration of kids with special needs in to regular classes, is a leader in her field and is considered an expert in the state of Colorado.

Additionally, Ham served on Mile High United Way’s Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, chairing allocation committees and representing agency leadership.  She has served on two National Organization Boards, United Cerebral Palsy and Disability Service Providers of America and was instrumental in the merger of two national organizations.

“The success of children’s education relies on leaders and volunteers who unify people and organizations around early education programs,” said Diana Romero-Campbell, director of School Readiness at Mile High United Way.  “Ham has been a tireless advocate for special needs children and their education.”

The Anna Jo Haynes Caring About Kids Award was established in 2004 to honor metro Denver’s leaders in early childhood education, beginning with Anna Jo Haynes herself. As executive director and founder of Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers (Mile High Child Care), Haynes always made children’s education her highest priority.