Harris County Head Start Programs Begin Enrollment For 2001 - 2002 School Year

Neighborhood Centers
Friday, 10 August 2001

HOUSTON (08/10/01) - Head Start Programs in Harris County are now enrolling for the 2001-2002 school year. Head Start is a federally funded pre-school program designed to serve three- to four-year-old children before they begin Kindergarten. The program is free to all eligible participants. To find out more about eligibility requirements or to find the Harris County Head Start program nearest you, call (713) 730-0055.

Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities that will prepare them for Kindergarten. In addition to age-appropriate curriculum, students receive care and nurturing as well as a hot, nutritious breakfast and lunch each day. Head Start programs also provide social services such as assistance with annual medical and dental exams for enrolled Head Start children. A major goal of the program is to assist Head Start families in finding a medical home.

The federal program gives children the opportunity that they may not have had otherwise to be well prepared for school. Head Start has a proven record of success, especially in regard to children's academic performance, and the program involves parents in the child's growth and learning process. Children are provided with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. Head Start staff recognize that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in their children's classroom, participate on Parent Committees and serve on other governing boards. Parent involvement is a critical piece of the Head Start program.

The Head Start program has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive and high quality services designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start services is responsive and appropriate to each child's and family's developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience. There are four agencies that provide Head Start services in Harris County:

- ADVANCE Head Start serves in North Harris County

- Gulf Coast Community Services Head Start serves South Harris County

- Harris County Department of Education Head Start serves East Harris County

- Neighborhood Centers Inc. Head Start serves West Harris County

The goal of Head Start is to ensure that all Harris County pre-school aged children are prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning, and ready to succeed.

Head Start is a comprehensive, federally funded program for low-income children and their families. Head Start offers parents opportunities and support for growth so that they can identify their own strengths, needs and interests. It also helps them to achieve self-determined individual and family goals. The overall goal of the Head Start program is to bring about a greater degree of social competence and skills that prepare children for life now and in the future. The program involves the child's entire family, as well as the community.

For more information, or to contact Neighborhood Centers, see their website at: www.neighborhood-centers.org