Head Start receives expanded grant for Early Head Start program -- recruiting now

[August 21, 2012]  Community Action Head Start, a birth to age 5 program, has received a grant expansion and as a result has 10 openings in the Early Head Start program for Logan County.

The additional funding was provided in response to a confirmed need in Logan County for Early Head Start services.

Early Head Start is a child development program that serves income-eligible children and families including pregnant mothers, infants and toddlers up to age 3. There are currently 20 families participating in the Early Head Start program in Logan County.

Early Head Start facts:

• Home-based services provided throughout Logan County.

• Full calendar-year curriculum includes 46 weekly visits arranged with the participants’ schedules in mind).

• Developmental milestones for infants and toddlers are focused on as the children progress throughout the year.

• Two monthly socializations provide an opportunity for expectant mothers, infants and toddlers to interact with other program participants.

• Cutting-edge curriculum used, such as the nationally regarded Parents As Teachers and Conscious Discipline programs.

• Developmental and health screenings provided (medical, vision, hearing, etc.).

• Early Head Start participants are transitioned into the Head Start program, which provides center-based preschool services to children ages 3-5.

The program welcomes all children, including those who may have been diagnosed with a disability.

Applications for the additional 10 openings are being taken now, with an anticipated program start date of Sept. 28.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in a nationally recognized and successful child development program, contact Shelley Lea, manager of home-based Head Start, at 217-732-2159, ext. 258, or Leticia Cook or Amber Wright, family partnership specialists, at 217-732-2159, ext. 236.

Logan County Community Action Head Start is a program operated by Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois. All Head Start services are provided free of charge. Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois serves the low-income and senior populations of six Illinois counties. For more information, visit www.capcil.org or facebook.com/capcil.

[Text from file received from Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]