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 2012-13 school year• Prairie View Center (W0911 Hwy 44

Markesan)• NFDL (Early Learning Center)• Fond du Lac (19 W 1st 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

920.922.7760 ext 3512

19 E. 1st St

Fond du Lac, WI 54935

bettyc@advocap,org• Lisette Aldrich-Family Development Coordinator

920.922-7760 ext 3564

lisettea@advocap.org

We Feel Safe at Head Start!!!!!

By: Samantha Kiefer