Ms. Dixon-Kleiber is a faculty Family, Consumer and Health (FCHS) Area Agent for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Gila County (including Yuma and Pinal Counties). She has worked in Extension for over 12 years in multiple capacities, both urban and rural areas and across 2 states. Ms. Dixon-Kleiber worked for Purdue Extension for almost 3 years where her responsibilities included identifying, researching, creating, delivering and evaluating programs for the individuals and families of St. Joseph County, IN. Her experience has ranged from running a First Things First (FTF) funded Family Resource Center for about 2 years, to working in orphanages in Ecuador, to currently overseeing multiple programs that focus on the early development of young children, early literacy, parenting, nutrition, and financial literacy. She also received a Master’s in Infant Family Practice (essentially Infant Mental Health); focusing particularly on early intervention in diverse and low-resourced populations. She enjoys working with diverse groups of families/children and has a passion for working with children and individuals who have experienced trauma and challenging life events. She served/serves on multiple community groups and coalitions; chairing specific committees, serving in advisory roles on multiple boards. Ms. Dixon-Kleiber is enthusiastic about her work as an FCHS Assistant Area Agent for UACE in Gila County and serving San Carlos Apache Tribal Lands.

Ashley Dixon-Kleiber acts as the Gila County FCHS Area Agent (including San Carlos Apache Lands as well as Yuma and Pinal Counties) and works mostly with families, individuals, and childcare providers. She worked for Purdue University Extension in a similar capacity for about 3 years in South Bend, IN prior to moving back to AZ, her home state. She has spent most of her career and education working with, and studying, young children, caregivers and their families. This has ranged from running a First Things First (FTF) funded Family Resource Center for about 2 years, to working in orphanages in Ecuador, to currently overseeing multiple FTF funded programs that focus on the early development of young children-NOPA, DSS, CCHC, as well as financial literacy and parenting programs. She also received a Master’s in Infant Family Practice (essentially Infant Mental Health); focusing particularly on early intervention in diverse and low-resourced populations. She enjoys working with diverse groups of families/children and has a passion for working with children and individuals who have experienced trauma and challenging life events.