What is Head Start?
Head Start is a federally-funded child development program designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. Head Start's approach is that the parent is the child's primary educator and that the entire family, as well as the community, must be involved in guiding and nurturing the child.
Over the past four decades, Head Start has touched the lives of more than 250,000 low-income preschool children and families at more than 140 locations in San Diego County. Neighborhood House Association currently holds 83 licenses to operate Head Start facilities.
Head Start History
Head Start was launched in 1965 as an eight-week summer program by the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1965. The blueprint for Project Head Start came from a panel of child development experts who were asked to draw up a program to help communities overcome the handicap of economically disadvantaged preschool children.
In 1965, Head Start was transferred to the Office of Child Development in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare and is now a program within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services, and administered by the Office of Head Start (OHS).
Today, Head Start programs are operated by over 1,500 community-based organizations in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Head Start program is available for income eligible children three to five years of age.
To be income eligible, a family of four must have an income of $20,650 a year or less.
Children with disabilities are mainstreamed into the program and receive a full range of developmental services.
Proof of citizenship is not a requirement for enrollment in Head Start
Early Head Start
Began in 1994, Early Head Start focuses on children six weeks to three years of age, as well as pregnant and post-partum low-income women. Comprehensive services include parenting classes, individualized plans for children, and transition services for children moving on to preschool.
Head Start Schedule
San Diego County Head Start has services that are center-based, home-based, part-day, extended day, full day, school year, and year-round. Our hours are designed to cater to the demands of students and working professionals.
Services to Head Start Families
Head Start provides services at no cost to families. Services include:
Early childhood education for children three to five years of age
Free dental exams and follow-up care
Training and workshops including first-time homebuyer seminars and budgeting classes
Services to pregnant women and their children, including prenatal and post-partum care, parenting classes, infant and toddler childcare, health, nutrition and social services.
Early Childhood Education
Each child receives an individualized educational program based on his/her strengths and needs. Children are provided with the opportunity to participate in large and small group activities, math, science, art, language, drama and cultural activities. Children leave Head Start prepared for Kindergarten, excited about learning, confident in their own abilities and ready to succeed. Children are assessed three times a year to make sure they are kinder-ready when they leave. The Head Start curriculum is specifically designed to develop the child's:
Language and literacy skills
Problem solving skills
Socialization and interaction skills
Health/Mental Health and Nutrition Services
All children need to be fully immunized to participate in Head Start. Head Start provides referral assistance for immunization. In addition, Head Start provides children with:
One-third of their daily nutritional requirements. All meals are served family style.
Timely immunizations and screenings for cognitive development, basic health, speech and language
Hearing, vision and dental screenings
Promoting preventive health services and early intervention. Each family is assured linkage to an ongoing health care system
Participation in experiences that promote positive mental health, improved self-esteem, stress management and personal growth.
Daily teeth-brushing and collaborates with dentists to provide oral exams
Disabilities Services
Services for children with disabilities and their families are provided in coordination with local early intervention and education agencies, community organizations, support services and school districts. Head Start/Early Head Start staff work closely with families to assist in requesting services and resources for their children.
Parent Involvement
Head start joins in partnership with parents to contribute to the child's development into a healthy, well-adjusted, productive adult. Head Start empowers parents to:
Be their child's first teacher
Achieve skills in decision-making, group participation and leadership
Join the Head Start Policy Council and program advisory groups
Be employed by Head Start
Receive training and financial support for continued education
Head Start Successes
Thanks to NHA's hard-working team, the organization has achieved the following results with the Head Start program in the last year:
For the second year in a row, achievement of 100 percent enrollment for Head Start participants within the first week of a new school year
Development and execution of PROMIS, the most technologically-advanced and effective enrollment, attendance and record-keeping system in the state. Today, NHA can access "real-time" reports and information never-before available to the program
Implementation of better financial management safeguards, including increased monitoring of delegate agencies that provide Head Start services on behalf of NHA, improved information sharing with delegate board of directors and appointment of a new Vice President/Chief Financial Officer.
Development and implementation of a new monitoring plan and data collection instruments to ensure staff accountability and performance.
Head Start Teachers
80% of NHA Head Start Teachers have an Early Childhood Education or related degree. At a minimum, all Head Start teachers are required to have an appropriate Child Development Teachers Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Recruitment
Head Start reaches out to families who could benefit from its services by:
Visiting elementary schools in low income areas
Recruiting at community fairs and neighborhood events
Distributing flyers and door hangers in low income neighborhoods
How to Apply
Neighborhood House Association is currently taking applications for enrollment for income eligible families. Families interested in applying should call 1-888-873-5145.
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