Head Start

Mission Statement We believe in supporting families as they become successful, self-sufficient contributors to the community

What is Head Start? Founded in 1984, a federally funded program around the US for children ages 3-5 from low- income families Provides comprehensive family and child development services Focus on building strengths and positive relationships with families, children & staff

Head Start Believes Children are important people Learning is fun Parents are a child’s first and best teachers Early intervention in health problems is beneficial Children need nutritious food Work as a team with families is very important

Programs in Our Area Center based-children attend classes in centers, 4 days a week, 3 ½ hrs per day morning session 8:30-12:00pm; afternoon session 12:00-3:40pm Children are bussed directly from their homes to the centers Family based combo-teacher visits the home 3 times per month to help parents and children attend a center once a week

Programs cont’d 4K-partnered with surrounding public school districts (Berlin, FDL, NFDL, Ripon ) ECHO-children receive services in a childcare center year round

Centers (location) Serving 262 families in school year Prairie View Center (W0911 Hwy 44 Markesan) NFDL (Early Learning Center) Fond du Lac (19 W 1 st St) Franklin Center (401 S Military Rd FDL) ECHO (YMCA FDL)

Summer Camp Developed in 1984 Went from 20 children to 110 in 2012 FDL centers participate in the nature program at Camp Vista in the Kettle Moraine Forest & Green Lake at Camp Grow Bussed directly from homes to camp For one week-Monday-Friday from 9:30 am-2:30 pm Made free to families by donations from local agencies, businesses & foundations

Services Early childhood development – Language & literacy – Social skills – Science & nature – Numbers & letters – Music – Creative arts – Health & nutrition – Physical fitness

Cont’d Health services – Safety – Dental & vision & hearing – Check-ups – Mental health – nutrition Nutrition services -Participates in the Child & Adult Care Food Program -nutritionist implements nutrition & cooking activities in the classroom -provides nutrition assessments, counseling & information to staff and families

Services Offered to Parents Job training Child rearing Health & nutrition Learning to speak English Learning to read Obtaining a GED or HSED Family members dealing with AODA issues Help with medical or social services Parents may serve on a Head Start committee to voice their own opinions

Eligibility & Clients Must reside in the county where services are provided Meet federal income guidelines Children must be 3 before the September 1 cut-off date Fill out necessary paperwork Head Start does work with children who have disabilities (autism, mental retardation & behavior issues, as well as physical impairments)

Hours, Fees & Available Languages The Head Start program is free to all participants Hours: 8:30am-3:40pm; following the school district calendar English, Spanish & Hmong

Persons to Contact Betty Claussen-Director ext E. 1 st St Fond du Lac, WI Lisette Aldrich-Family Development Coordinator ext 3564

We Feel Safe at Head Start!!!!! By: Samantha Kiefer