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Head Start
In Snyder, Union & Mifflin Counties
Head Start strives to help children develop skills which lead to success in school and later in life. The children in Head Start are mainly from low-income homes, and are between the ages of three and five. Children with special needs or disabilities can also be enrolled.
Center Program
Child Development Centers are operating in Snyder, Union and Mifflin counties. Children attend these classes four hours a day, several days a week, following the public school calendar. There are about 18 children in each class with one teacher and one assistant teacher. Wednesdays are usually parent or staff traning days.
Home-Based Program
Some children are enrolled in home-based Head Start and are visited once a week by a home visitor who works with the child and his/her parents on various activities. In addition to the weekly home visits, there are center days several times each month for both children and parents.
Parent Involvement
Assuming that a child's most important teachers are the parents, the program relies on parent involvement and stresses parent education. The staff works closely with all parents so that learning can take place at home, as well as school. To reach this goal, parents volunteer and participate in special activities, such as parent meetings, parent training, policy groups, etc.
Health & Nutrition
The health program provides medical and dental services, including sight and hearing screenings, as well as necessary follow-up care. Nutrition is an important part of the daily program. In the center program, children are served breakfast or a healthy snack and hot lunch every day. Health and nutrition lessons are taught to both parents and children.
Special Services
Programs are specially planned for each child, based on an evaluation. Specialized services are provided, if needed, such as speech therapy and individual tutoring.
Education
The education program works to improve skills in these areas: small muscle (puzzles, beads); big muscle (climbing, balance); self-help (dressing,eating); social/emotional (sharing); cognition (numbers, colors, thinking skills); language/speech; and nutrition.
Community Involvement
The community is very involved in our Head Start program. Members of the community serve as volunteers in the centers, on the Head Start Policy Council, and on the Board of Directors. We depend on community support as part of the "local share" to match the federal money which funds Head Start.
Funding
Head Start is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families. Head Start receives supplemental funding/support from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Child Care Food Program.
Referrals
Any individual or agency can refer a child they feel could benefit from this program. For the phone number of the location nearest you, click the locations link in the menu to the left.
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