Head Start

Head Start: A Comprehensive Child Development Program

Broadly, the objectives of Head Start are based on the idea that children deserve the opportunity to enter school ready to learn and that children’s readiness depends on their educational experience, their physical and mental health and the involvement of their parents and families.

The following are objectives of Head Start:

• The improvement of the child’s health and physical abilities, including appropriate steps to correct present physical and mental problems and to enhance every child’s access to an adequate diet. The improvement of the family’s attitude toward future healthcare and physical abilities.
• The encouragement of self-confidence, spontaneity, curiosity, and self-discipline which will assist in the development of the child’s social and emotional health.
• The enhancement of the child’s mental processes and skills with particular attention to conceptual and communications skills.
• The establishment of patterns and expectations of success for the child, which will create a climate of confidence for present and future learning efforts and overall development.
• An increase in the ability of the child and the family to relate to each other and to others.
• The enhancement of the sense of dignity and self-worth within the child and his or her family.

Early Head Start is responding to strong evidence suggesting that early intervention through high quality programs enhances children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development; enables parents to be better caregivers and teachers to their children; and helps parents meet their own goals, including economic independence. Early Head Start programs are designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strength and needs of each child and family.

These services include:

• Quality early education both in and out of the home;
• Home visits, especially for families with newborns and other infants;
• Parent education, including parent-child activities;
• Comprehensive health and mental health services, including services to women before, during, and after pregnancy;
• Nutrition; and
• Ongoing support for parents through case management and peer support groups.

About Head Start Collaboration Offices

The creation of State and National Collaboration Offices is authorized by Section 642B(a)(2)(A) of the Head Start Act. The purpose of the Head Start State and National Collaboration Offices is to guide the work of all collaboration offices. Since 1990, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has awarded Head Start collaboration grants to support the development of multi-agency and public and private partnerships at the state and national levels.

Head Start Collaboration Offices (HSCOs) exist "to facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies…and entities that carry out activities designed to benefit low-income children from birth to school entry, and their families." They provide a structure and a process for the Office of Head Start (OHS) to work and partner with state agencies and local entities. Together, these partners work to leverage their common interests around young children and their families to formulate, implement, and improve state and local policy and practices.

These partnerships are intended to:

• Assist in building early childhood systems
• Provide access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children
• Encourage widespread collaboration between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives
• Augment Head Start's capacity to be a partner in state initiatives on behalf of children and their families
• Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting target populations and other low-income families

Methods of Coordination

The methods by which HSCOs coordinate and lead efforts for diverse entities to work together include:

• Communication – Convene stakeholder groups for information sharing, planning, and partnering, and serve as a conduit of information between Regional Offices and state and local early childhood systems.
• Access – Facilitate Head Start agencies' access to and utilization of appropriate entities so Head Start children and families can secure needed services and critical partnerships are formalized.
• Systems – Support policy, planning, partnerships, and implementation of cross agency state systems for early childhood, including the State Advisory Council, that include and serve the Head Start community.