Brenda Berry was born in Leesville, La to Willie and Lillie Garner. She attended Vernon High School and upon graduation she pursued higher education and attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Masters degree in Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. La and McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.
Upon graduation she entered the workforce as a school teacher and taught K-6th grade for 10.5 years in the Vernon Parish School system.
In August 1983 she chose to enter into civil service and has served Army families in numerous countries throughout the world. Ms Berry served in Italy, Heilbronn, Pirmasens, and Bad Krenach, Germany prior to Ft Sam. She held positions as an Educational Guidance Counselor, Child Support Services Coordinator, Chief, Child & Youth Services, and in her present position as Chief, Child Youth School Services. During her 29 years of civil service Ms Berry has been truly instrumental in ensuring that the Army Child Care Programs have developed into one of the best in the world. Some of her accomplishments during this 30 year period are as follows:
„P She was the first Child Support Services Coordinator ever to be hired at Ft. Polk
„P Implemented the first School Age Latch Key Program at Ft. Polk.
„P Managed the design and build phase of several 303 capacity centers, which included selecting and purchasing all equipment and supplies of over $5,000,000
„P Established the first Parish wide Child Development Workshop ever held in the Leesville, La community and it still exists to this day.
„P Oversaw the enrollment of children through a centralized administrative structure and overall CDS program/services
„P Directed and supervised all community childcare needs during BRAC closures of 3 communities
„P Supervised the National Accreditation of over 15 child care centers during her tenure
„P As a Guidance Counselor within the Education Division she provided professional education counseling on the Army Continuing Education System (ACES) program, providing a full range of general educational and career development counseling and assistance to military personnel of the command and attached organizations served. She provided effective counseling for a Battalion and Brigade, effectively tracking the educational needs of over 2,500
In Dec 1997 Ms Berry was assigned to Fort Sam Houston as the Chief, Child Youth and Schools Services. Since her arrival the Fort Sam Houston CYS achieved many milestones under her supervision and guidance. She was instrumental in combining the Middle School Teens Program and School Age Services Programs into the CYS and established the Central Registration Office to provide a seamless service for the families of Ft. Sam Houston. As an exemplary leader she continually worked to provide services to the community that was top notch. A few of her accomplishments during this tenure are:
„P She worked and oversaw the building of a new 2 Youth Center
„P Successfully selected, located sites and opened 5 new Boundless Special Needs Playgrounds
„P Opened 2 new facilities ¡V Middle School Teens and School Age Services
„P Established 1st Kids On Site at Jimmy Brought Fitness Center
„P Merged 13 separate programs into one cohesive CYS Program
„P Established ACCYN position in coordination with FMWRC
„P Established EDGE/HIRED!, SAS and Workforce Preparation programs
„P Coordinated the construction of the Skate Park and Splash Pad
„P Instrumental in securing the present location of Parent Central offices and all Special Programs
Ms Berry is married to Mr Ronald A Collins and they have three children; Mr Ronald Collins Jr and Michelle Collins, both residing in San Francisco, Ca and Brencia Berry, who graduated December 20, 2013 from Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, La. And has received a $20,000 fellowship to attend the Lyndon Bayne Johnson School of Public Administration at University of Austin, Texas
I currently work with US ARMY
as Child, Youth & Schools Services Program Specialist
I have years of experience working in the
Teaching / K-12 Education industry.
CYS Services Program Specialist|
G-9 IMCOM
From August 2011 to Current • 15 year(s)
Serves as Program Specialist for Child, Youth & School Services providing guidance and direction to field staff. Conducts research, develops strategies, and provides technical assistance for CYS programs across multiple garrisons.
Chief of CYSS Programs|
Ft. Sam Houston
From November 1997 to July 2011 • 14 year(s)
Directed and supervised CYSS programs setting the benchmark for Army child care services. Managed programs serving over 3,900 children with a budget of $5.2M and supervised 121 staff members.
Child Development Services Head Quarters Coordinator|
53rd Area Support Group
From April 1994 to December 1997 • 3 year(s)
Directed and supervised Child Development Youth Programs for 5 communities with 13 center-based programs and 240 Family Child Care homes. Implemented ICCET validation team and achieved certification and accreditation for all programs.
Chief, Child & Youth Services Division|
294th BSB
From January 1993 to April 1994 • 1 year(s)
Directed and supervised Child Youth Services program for the battalion including center-based care, hourly care, and school age programs. Supervised the first DoD Certification for Pirmasens Community.
Child Development Services Coordinator|
USMCA Family Support Division
From May 1991 to May 1992 • 1 year(s)
Directed integration of center-based programs and quarters-based system. Managed DoD certification and coordinated community childcare needs during closure of Heilbronn community.
Guidance Counselor|
Directorate of Personnel and Community Activities
From October 1985 to February 1991 • 6 year(s)
Served as professional education counselor in Army Continuing Education System program. Provided educational and career development counseling to over 2,000 military personnel.
Child Support Services Coordinator|
Directorate of Personnel and Community Activities
From August 1983 to October 1985 • 2 year(s)
Directed implementation of curriculum plans for various child age groups and established first School Age Latch Key Program. Managed design and construction of 303 capacity center with over $1M in equipment purchases.
