As we lead up to our 30th anniversary on April 16th, we’re excited to launch our #30for30VoicesofImpact campaign, featuring stories from our partners, programs, and staff! Get to know the voices working towards a stronger and more supportive early childhood ecosystem here in Durham.
“Once I mastered holistically taking care of children, I moved into admin and I realized I can help teachers holistically take care of children,” said Lateshia Langhorne, Trauma Informed Coach for Early Head Start at Durham’s Partnership for Children.
Lateshia started her career in the classroom, with a passion for caring for children and watching them connect the dots in a learning environment. In 2022, she was hired at the Partnership as a Family Child Care Homes Specialist. In that role, she launched a pilot technical assistance program for five family child care homes in Durham. “We wanted to create an atmosphere of mentorship and bring an aspect of fellowship and peer networking to these homes, which often work in silos,” she said. After a year that drew her back to the classroom, Lateshia returned to the Partnership in a grant-based role where she expanded her cohort to 10 family child care homes and started a trauma-informed homeless collaborative.
In 2026, Lateshia transitioned to her role as Trauma Informed Coach for Early Head Start. Focused on teacher wellness, she helps teachers recognize triggers and identify how to appropriately respond. Through teaching regulation skills and supporting wellness goals, Lateshia helps build a healthier environment in our Early Head Start classrooms every day. Her pride for her work shines through as she shares how grateful she is to get to do something she is so passionate about.
She mentions how the Partnership has pushed her to do things she never thought she was capable of, getting opportunities to grow professionally while still serving young children and families. “Ultimately, we get to ensure that each child in Durham is ready for kindergarten. A lot of people don’t understand how important it is and how much quality early care and education contributes to success in school and as an adult,” she said.
In the next 30 years, Lateshia hopes we will continue to collaborate well with our community partners and bridge gaps in programs for young children. “I hope we’re still here as a resource serving the community, along with all of the other partnerships across the state.”
Written by: Kristen Luft, Community Awareness Manager
