About

Head Start is a comprehensive child development program which serves children from age 3 to 5, pregnant women, and their families. Head Start is a child-focused program and has the overall goal of increasing the social competence of young children in low-income families. “Social competence” is meant the child’s everyday effectiveness in dealing with his or her present environment and later responsibilities in school and life. Social competence takes into account the interrelatedness of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Head Start services are also family-centered, following the tenets that children develop in the context of their family and culture and that parents are respected as the primary educators and nurturers for their children. Head Start offers family members with opportunities and support for growth and change, believing that people can identify their own strengths, needs, and interests and are capable of finding solutions. Head Start works in close partnership with parents to assist them in developing and utilizing individual and family strengths in order to successfully meet personal and family objectives. Parents are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the program, from participation in children’s activities to direct involvement in policy and program decisions.