Head Start

The Self Help Head Start Program provides a comprehensive developmental service for low-income, pre-school children ages 3 to 5 years of age, primarily. Head Start also provides social services for their families. Specific services for children focus on education, socio-emotional development, physical and mental health , and nutrition.

Head Start began in 1965 in the Office of Economic Opportunity as an innovative way in which to serve children of low income families and is now administered by the Administration for Children and Families. The cornerstone of this program is parent and community involvement--which has made it one of the most successful pre-school programs in the country.

Philosophy

The Head Start Program is based on the premise that all children share certain needs and that children of low income families, in particular, can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program to meet those needs. The Head Start approach make the following assumptions:

A child can benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program to foster development.

Because the family is the principal influence on the child's development, the child's family, as well as the community, must be involved in the program.

The overall goal of the Head Start Program is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in children of low-income families. Social competence means the child's everyday effectiveness in dealing with both the present environment and later responsibilities in school and in life. Social competence takes into account the interrelatedness of cognitive and intellectual development, physical and mental health,nutritional needs as well as other factors. To achieve social competence, Head Start objectives and performance standards provide for:

• Improvement of the child's health and physical abilities, including appropriate steps to correct physical and mental health problems and to enhance every child's access to an adequate diet.
• Improvement of the family's attitude toward future health care and physical abilities.
• Encouragement of self-confidence, spontaneity, curiosity and self-discipline that will assist the child's social and emotional health.
• Enhancement of the child's mental processes and skill, with particular attention to conceptual and communication skills.
• Establishment of patterns and expectations for success for the child that will create a climate of confidence for present and future learning efforts and overall development.
• Enhancement of the ability of the child and the family to relate to one another and to others.
• Development of a sense of dignity and self-worth within the child and his family.

Program Information

Head Start regulations stipulate no more than 20 children per room, with a teacher and a teacher assistant per room.  Hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The program year begins the middle of October and runs through the end of May each year. Transportation may be available for children depending on need and availability.   Children receive a nutritious meal served family style for breakfast and lunch each day.  All children are taught to wash their hands before meals and to brush their teeth after meals. The children are encouraged to develop good personal health habits.  A nutritious afternoon snack is also provided.

Head Start gives children a head start in life by providing them with activities that help them to develop mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically.  Head Start recognizes that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children.  Parent involvement is not only welcomed but greatly encouraged.  Parents can participate as full partners with Head Start staff to help children progress.  Head Start staff offers children love, acceptance, understanding, and the opportunity to learn and to experience success.  Head Start children socialize with others, solve problems, and have other experiences that help them become enthusiastic, self-confident learners. The children also improve their listening and speaking skills.  They spend time in stimulating settings where they form good habits and enjoy playing with educational materials and working on tasks with classmates.  Children will leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning, and ready to succeed.  Health professionals will assess children for any health problems.  These professionals will arrange vision and hearing tests, and assist parents with needed immunizations.  Head Start offers nutritional assessments and dental exams as well.  Children with health needs receive follow-up services.  Mental health and other services are available for children and families with special needs.

Head Start Eligibility:

The Self Help Head Start Program offers both a half-day Head Start experience, and for families who are working, attending school or are enrolled in a training program, a full day Head Start Experience. Priority is given to children with special needs and family concerns.

The half day program is free of charge and the full day program has a sliding-fee scale that is dependent on the families total income and ability to pay. The Head Start Income Guidelines for 2004 are as follows:

2008 Head Start Income Guidelines

For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,600 for each additional member.

If you would like to fill out one of our pre-application forms, click below and call up the PDF form.

Pre-application Package

Enrollment

Enrollment in the Head Start program is ongoing. Preschool children whose parents reside in the Self Help service area and are low-income (meet above income guidelines) age 3 to 5 are eligible for the program. Working families who do not meet the above income guidelines and have a child age 3 to 5 may still be eligible for Head Start Program through the Community Partnerships Program if they meet that programs income guidelines. Under the Community Partnerships program families pay a sliding fee based on total family income.

To enroll your child in the Self Help Head Start Program please visit our main office at the Ulysses G. Shelton, Jr. Head Start Center, 370 Howard St., Brockton or call the Head Start Administrative offices at 508-587-1716 to ask questions or set up an appointment. Applications will also be accepted from any of our Head Start locations. In order to process your application you should bring the following documents with you when you apply for enrollment:

• Proof of income (4 pay stubs, W-2 form, or print out from your Public Assistance provider
• Child's birth certificate or baptismal record
• Social Security cards for all family members
• Signed documentation from a Physician, Therapist or other medical specialist if your child has any disabilities or handicaps
• Up to date immunization record
• Dental record if available

Head Start Locations:

Head Start Administrative Offices and Classrooms
Ulysses G. Shelton, Jr. Head Start Center 370 Howard St Brockton, Ma. 02302	508-587-1716 Fax: 508-587-1717
Head Start Classrooms
Shaw School 311 Quincy St Brockton 02402	508-588-5190 Fax: 508-580-6409
Briggs School 908 Oak Hill Ave Attleboro 02703	508-226-2030 Fax: 508-223-3578
Demoranville School 35 Pleasant St Middleboro 02356	508-947-5774 Fax: 508-947-5774
Corthelll School 168 Whitman Ave. Whitman 02382	781-447-7110 Fax: 781-447-5462
First Congregational Church 76 Pierce St Stoughton 02072	781-344-0491 Fax: 781-344-0491
McElwain School 250 Main Street Bridgewater 02324	508-279-3361 Fax: 508-279-3361
James Savage Educational Center 275 Prospect St. Norwood 02062	781-255-0413 Fax: 781-255-0436
McKinley School 394 Union St. Rockland 02370	781-871-0952 Fax: 781-882-0952
Norton Head Start 77 East Main St Norton 02766	508-285-5021 Fax: 508-285-9507

The Role of Parents

At Head Start we believe that parents, as the primary educators of their children, must be directly involved in their child's education. Since the well being of the child is linked to the well being of the entire family, Head Start offers support for parents in child rearing, education, dad's groups and creating opportunities for self sufficiency. Parents are always made welcome in the classroom and encouraged to become involved in their child's Head Start program. Many parents become classroom volunteers. In addition, a large percentage of our Head Start staff are parents of current or former Head Start students.

Parents serve as members of the Head Start Policy Council and have a voice in administration and policy decision-making.

Head Start offers classes and workshops for parents in many subjects, including parenting and nutrition, as well as developmentally appropriate activities that parents can do with their children at home. In addition, parents may be helped towards their individual goals. Some may be referred to employment and training programs or further education institutions. Assistance is available for parents wishing to obtain their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or attend English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

The Head Start Family Workers are available for families in crisis, offering help and support with problems such as substance abuse, job loss or lack of income, housing retention problems or lack of basic needs. Because of the unique trust between staff and families, and its links with the area community agencies, Head Start is an important catalyst for change in our service area.