Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs serving low-income children and their families. RurAL CAP has operated Head Starts in rural Alaska since 1965. Head Start serves children ages three to five and Early Head Start serves prenatal women and children ages birth to three. The programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other related services.

The programs also help parents make progress toward their own education, literacy and employment goals. Local Parent Committees are formed at each Head Start Center to assist the staff in curriculum development, increase community support and offer advice on programmatic and fiscal decisions. Parents help determine the cultural appropriateness and responsiveness of program services.

2009 Head Start & Early Head Start Highlights

• Served 941 children and 22 prenatal women
• Majority of those served received dental exams/screening, developmental screenings, and were connected to social services.
• More than 101,000 meals were served during the school year
• Parents volunteered over 17, 952 hours
• 325 families received family support services to maintain and improve employment, housing, health and education

For more information contact:
Debi Baldwin, Child Development Division Director
Phone:  (907) 865-7317

Attachments:

File
Head Start Annual Report 2009