BRAD Head Start/Early Head Start program serves 326 preschool children in Head Start and 64 in infant/toddlers in Early Head Start.  Head Start centers are located in Pocahontas in Randolph County and in Corning, Piggott, and Rector in Clay County. In Lawrence County the center is located in Walnut Ridge. Early Head Start Centers are located in Clay County in Corning and Piggott, in Randolph County, one center in Pocahontas, and in Lawrence County in Walnut Ridge. ABC classrooms are located in Pocahontas and Corning.

James Jansen has been Executive Director of Black River Area Development for 43 years.  Mr. Jansen is involved in the local and national community and professional service.  He is a member of the Pocahontas Kiwanis Club, Arkansas Community Action Agency Association, and is a past member of the Arkansas Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) Foundation.  Mr. Jansen served 15 years as a member of the Board of Education of the Walnut Ridge Public Schools, 5 years as a members of the Board of Directors of the National Centers for Appropriate Technology (NEAT), and is past president of the Arkansas State University Training and Technical Assistance Board for Early Childhood Education.

Rhonda Ahrent is the Head Start/Early Head Start Director. Mrs. Ahrent began working for the program in 1991 in the Transition Demonstration Project.  She has worked in various positions in the program before becoming Assistant Director in 1994. She became Head Start/Early Head Start Director in July 2011 as Barbara Sisco retired. While working for the program, Mrs. Ahrent has obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Arkansas.  She has served in numerous leadership roles including President of the Staff Class of the Arkansas Head Start Association,  Region VI Head Start Association Board Scholarship Chairman.  Professional memberships include: Arkansas Head Start Association, Region VI Head Start Association, National Head Start Association, National Association for the Education of the Young Child.