Copyright 2010 by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without.

Copyright 2010 by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission,

contact [email protected].



Table of Contents Welcome The History of Early Head Start/Head Start Head Start Philosophy Core Values The Building Blocks of Head Start Region 7 Early Head Start/Head Start Overview Mission Statements Organization Charts Program Design Team Site Map Performance Standards Nurturing the Promise –Video The True Meaning Of Head Start Confidentiality Policy PowerPoint & Quiz (Head Start Website) Standards of Conduct PowerPoint & Quiz (Head Start Website) Child Abuse



Welcome to Head Start



The History of Early Head Start/Head Start

Early Head StartEarly Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is simple:

• to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, • to enhance the development of very young children, and• to promote healthy family functioning.

In 1994, the Secretary of Health and Human Services formed an Advisory Committee on Services for Families with Infants and Toddlers to design Early Head Start (EHS). EHS evolved out of Head Start's long history of providing services to infants and toddlers through Parent Child Centers, Comprehensive Child Development Centers (CCDPs) and Migrant Head Start programs. Recent advances in the field of infant development make this an especially exciting time to have Head Start formally expand its family to include the provision of Early Head Start services.

Head StartIn 1964, the Federal Government asked a panel of child development experts to draw up a program to help communities meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children. The panel report became the blueprint for Project Head Start.

Project Head Start, launched as an eight-week summer program by the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1965, was designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs. In 1969, Head Start was transferred from the Office of Economic Opportunity to the Office of Child Development in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and has now become a program within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. A well-established, though still an innovative program, Head Start has had a strong impact on communities and early childhood program across the country.

The program is locally administered by community-based non-profit organizations and school systems. Grants are awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services Regional offices, which are administered in Washington, D.C.



Head Start Philosophy

The potential for learning is greatest during early years of a child's life, therefore, every possible learning opportunity should be provided to children at the earliest possible age.

The early education learning environment should provide a rich variety of activities that will foster physical, mental, emotional, and social development.

Activities should include both individual and group learning experiences using a variety of concrete experiences. Each child's growth level should be the basis for the extension of his/her learning.

THE HEAD START PHILOSOPHY IS REFLECTED IN THE ARRAY OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.



Head Start Core Values Include Commitments To:Head Start Core Values Include Commitments To:

1. Establish a supportive learning environment for children, parents and staff, in which the processes of enhancing awareness, 1. Establish a supportive learning environment for children, parents and staff, in which the processes of enhancing awareness,

refining skills, and increasing understanding are valued and promoted.refining skills, and increasing understanding are valued and promoted.

2. Recognize that the members of the Head Start community – children, families and staff have roots in many cultures. Head Start 2. Recognize that the members of the Head Start community – children, families and staff have roots in many cultures. Head Start

families and staff, working together as a team, can effectively promote respectful, sensitive, and proactive approaches to families and staff, working together as a team, can effectively promote respectful, sensitive, and proactive approaches to

diversity issues.diversity issues.

3. Understand that the empowerment of families occurs when program governance is a responsibility shared by families, 3. Understand that the empowerment of families occurs when program governance is a responsibility shared by families,

governing bodies, and staff and when ideas and opinions of families are heard and respected.governing bodies, and staff and when ideas and opinions of families are heard and respected.

4. Embrace a comprehensive vision of health for children, families, and staff which assures that basic health needs are met; 4. Embrace a comprehensive vision of health for children, families, and staff which assures that basic health needs are met;

encourages practices that prevent future illnesses and injuries; and promotes positive, culturally relevant health behaviors that encourages practices that prevent future illnesses and injuries; and promotes positive, culturally relevant health behaviors that

enhance lifelong well-beingenhance lifelong well-being

5. Respect the importance of all aspects of an individual’s development, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical 5. Respect the importance of all aspects of an individual’s development, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical

growth.growth.

6. Build a community in which each child and adult is treated as an individual while at the same time, a sense of belonging to the 6. Build a community in which each child and adult is treated as an individual while at the same time, a sense of belonging to the

group is reinforced.group is reinforced.

7. Foster relationships with the larger community so that families and staff are respected and served by a network of community 7. Foster relationships with the larger community so that families and staff are respected and served by a network of community

agencies in partnership with one another.agencies in partnership with one another.

8. Develop a continuum of care, education and services that provide stable, uninterrupted support to families and children during 8. Develop a continuum of care, education and services that provide stable, uninterrupted support to families and children during

and after their Head Start experience. and after their Head Start experience.

Core ValuesThe Head Start partnership provides to all participants early intervention services and support designed to enhance independence, social success and academic achievement.



The Building Blocks of Head Start

The building blocks of the Head Start logo are a metaphor for the development and The building blocks of the Head Start logo are a metaphor for the development and growth of children through Head Start family and community partnerships.growth of children through Head Start family and community partnerships.

The red and white stripes represent the American flag and the arrow, printed on a blue The red and white stripes represent the American flag and the arrow, printed on a blue background symbolizes upward movement for families.background symbolizes upward movement for families.



Region 7 ESC Early Head Start/Head Start Overview

Region 7 Education Service Center Early Head Start/Head Start is a 12-county program providing comprehensive services to children age’s birth – 5 years from low income families. Our program is designed to meet the social, emotional, health, nutritional and physical needs of eligible children. The Early Head Start program was funded in December 2002 for a start up period to provide comprehensive services to participants in the Gregg County area. The program design includes center based options and home based services for pregnant moms. The target population includes income eligible teen parents, parents of Head Start siblings, social services referrals, and other community members. The Early Head Start/Head Start program serves approximately 2000+ children and families.

More than just an educational program, Head Start involves the whole family and community. The services provided include education, disabilities, health, dental, mental health, nutrition, parent involvement, parent education, social services and transition. Enrollment is available to children regardless of race, sex, creed, national origin, or handicapping condition. The Head Start program encourages the active recruitment of children with special needs. Applications are ranked based on needs of the child and family.

Our program supports families in improving their quality of life. We offer them a sense of belonging, support services, and a chance to be involved in activities to help the whole family. Parents take part in training classes on subjects such as parenting, job skills, health and nutrition, and free community resources. We offer assistance to parents interested in obtaining a GED, learning to speak English, or read. Families receive help with special problems such as drug or alcohol abuse, job loss or other family crisis. We refer families for help with medical, social welfare, or employment. Our families have a voice in our program through various committees or on the Policy Council, our parent and community shared decision-making body.



“Region 7 Education Service Center is committed to student success by providing quality programs and services that meet or exceed our customers’

expectations.”

Head Start

“The mission of Region 7 Education Service Center Head Start is to empower children and their families to develop knowledge and skills to be more successful, self-sufficient members of the community by providing high quality, efficient, comprehensive services that meet and

exceed Head Start Standards.”



Organization Chart



Head Start

Organization Chart



Campus Administration/Staff

Pre-K/Head StartTeachers

Teaching Assistants Head Start Family Service Worker

Director Teacher Early Head StartFamily Advocate

Staff for Each Head Start Site

Staff for Each Early Head Start Site

Program Design

Region 7 ESC Head Start serves children zero-five years of age cooperatively with:

45 Independent School Districts

2 Early Head Start Partners (Gregg & Harrison Counties)

147 Classrooms

90 Family Service Workers/Family Advocates



Created: June 24, 2008 Reviewed: January 13, 2010 Revised: August 18, 2009

Van Zandt

Wood

Smith

Cherokee

Anderson

Henderson

Rusk Panola

Harrison

Marion

Gregg

Wills Point

Fruitvale

Grand Saline

Van

Martins Mill

Winnsboro

Mineola

Hawkins

Eustace Murchison

Malakoff Athens

Palestine Westwood

Elkhart

New Summerfield

Jacksonville

Rusk

Alto

Wells

Lindale

Chapel Hill

Whitehouse

Bullard Troup

Arp

Ore City

Upshur

Gilmer

Jefferson

Karnack Harleton

Marshall

Waskom

Elysian Fields

Gladewater Longview*

Hallsville

Kilgore

Henderson

Laneville

Carlisle

West Rusk

Overton Tatum

Carthage

EHS/Head Start Teams Red, Blue, & Yellow Orange, Green, & Purple

Anderson Gregg* Cherokee Harrison Henderson Marion Rusk (1/2) Panola Smith (1/2) Rusk (1/2) Van Zandt Smith* (1/2)

Wood (1/2) Upshur Wood (1/2) *EHS – Gregg County and Harrison County only



Performance Standards

The Head Start Program Performance Standards are the mandatory regulations that grantees and delegate agencies must implement in order to operate a Head Start program. The standards define the objectives and features of a quality Head Start program in concrete terms; they articulate a vision of service delivery to young children and families; and they provide a regulatory structure for the monitoring and enforcement of quality standards.

Because of the critical nature and comprehensive scope of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, it is important for grantee and delegate agencies to provide staff members and parents with ongoing training on the standards and on ways to implement them locally. Staff and parents may, for example, be provided with an orientation to this publication, as well as training related to each section. In addition to training staff, agencies are to provide appropriate training to members of Policy Committees and Policy Councils, as well as to other parents, members of governing bodies, and community partners.



Nurturing the Promise

The environment within a Head Start program is intended to support children's robust development. Developed for staff and parents, this video discusses the importance of working together to ensure children maximize their potential. This 11-minute streaming video features children, staff, and families in Head Start and Early Head Start programs at several locations across the country illustrating Head Start's comprehensive approach and key principles.



THE TRUE MEANING OF HEAD START

H Represents HOPE to a disadvantaged child, cocooned in the blossoms of poverty – A chance to blossom into a beautiful creative butterfly.

E

Represents EDUCATION: The key that opens doors to a better life-it provides each child a learning environment that helps her or him to develop socially, intellectually, physically, and mentally.

A Represents ALPHA: the beginning of new strategies to improve the effectiveness of a child through the involvement of parents and the community.

D

Represents DEVELOPMENT: a stage in growth instilling in each child the right habits in the beginning. This enables each child to use her or his skills to become more creative, more interested in learning, and more prepared to enter the next phase of learning.

S

Represents SELF-DEVOTION: a devotion of staff and community to the cause of preparing each child to deal with both the present environment and later responsibilities of school and life.

T

Represents TEXTBOOK: the program performance standards that provides for the improvement of health and abilities, encouragement of self-confidence, and enhancement of a sense of dignity and self-worth.

A Represents ALLIANCE: the coming together or staying together for a common cause-the betterment of a sense of dignity.

R Represents RESPONSIBILITY: an obligation or firm commitment to help those who cannot help themselves.

T Represents TOMORROW: for with tomorrow comes more young minds to mold.



Confidentiality Policy Training

After completing the Confidentiality Policy Training, complete the quiz, sign, date, print, and return it to Staff Development.



Standards of Conduct Training

After completing the Standards of Conduct Training, complete the quiz, sign, date, print, and return it to Staff Development.



Child Abuse Training

After completing the Child Abuse Training, complete the quiz, save it to your computer and then attach it to a blank email and send the email to your supervisor.



What’s Next?After you have viewed the orientation

presentations and completed the required quizzes, contact:

Isha Brown

903-988-7609 [email protected]

OrDeLisa Smith903-988-7621

[email protected]

to complete the final steps of the orientation process.

Copyright 2010 by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without.

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