Cookson Hills Community Action Head Start Program P.O. Box 745 Tahlequah, OK 74465 918-456-0574 Jeannie Clinton, Director |
| What is Head Start? |
- Head Start is a national program that provides a variety of services for America's income-eligible
preschool ages three to five and social services for their families. - The Head Start Program began in 1965 and has served over 10 million children since that time.
- The cornerstone of the program is parent and community involvement -- which has made it one of
the most successful pre-school programs in the country.
| What will Head Start do? |
- The goal of Cookson Hills Community Action Head Start is to prepare children of income eligible
families for success, both in school and in their everyday lives. - Our program is designed to work with the entire family. Parents are children's primary educators
and therefore need to be as involved as possible. - To prepare children, our program works in the following component areas:
Nutrition
Development Skills and Education
Family Partnerships
Disabilities
Health
It is important that a child feel his/her best. Statistics show that healthy children learn better and are
more attentive.
Head Start requires that every child in our program:
These initial screenings must be done within 45 calendar days of enrollment into the program. The
results help us to identify any problem areas that may need follow up in order to help your child learn at
his/her full capacity. Parents will be notified prior to each appointment and informed of results.
Nutrition
The Cookson Hills Head Start program is required to provide the children with 1/2 to 2/3 of their daily
nutritional needs. Breakfast, lunch and mid-morning and/or afternoon snack are provided daily. These
meals meet the USDA meal pattern requirements. New foods are introduced to the children and they are
encouraged to try them. The nutrition program is part of the daily educational experience. Lesson plans
reflect nutrition activities and individual cultural backgrounds in order to provide a variety of experiences
around food.
Early Childhood Education and Development
Cookson Hills Community Action Head Start uses a curriculum called P.A.T.H.E. (Parents and Teachers
Helping Educate) that address all areas of a child's learning. Activities are individual to each child
according to their needs. Language and literacy are an essential part of the P.A.T.H.E.
Disability Services
All children need to grow and develop in a secure, caring environment. This is why ten percent of the
total number of enrollment slots is made available to children with disabilities. Children need the
opportunity to express themselves creatively and to become as independent as possible. This enhances
their self-concept. A child needs the chance to play and interact with other children. This helps them
gain language and social skills. All children need to have materials and learning opportunities to aid in
their development. All children need these things whether they have a disability or not. Cookson Hills
Head Start participates with the Local Education Agency (LEA) to provide the best services possible to
children with disabilities. We work with the LEA to meet the goals and objectives of the Individual
Education Plan (IEP) and provide support to the family.
Mental Health
Mental Health is reflected in how people see themselves, how they relate to others. Head Start's
objective is:
This visit is to observe the classroom and watch for any concerns that staff and parents may have. They
see how children play together, how they relate to the teachers and how they play within the structure of
the classroom. Center staff will meet with the parents and discuss any concerns made by the mental
health professional.
It is important that a child feel his/her best. Statistics show that healthy children learn better and are
more attentive.
Head Start requires that every child in our program:
- Have Immunizations complete or current BEFORE starting school.
- Receive an E.P.S.D.T. Well Child exam. A Licensed Private Physician or a Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner will do exams. It is important for the child's parent to accompany the child to these
appointments in order to give background information to the examiner. - Receive a dental screening
- Receive a vision screening
- Receive a hearing screening
- Receive a speech screening
These initial screenings must be done within 45 calendar days of enrollment into the program. The
results help us to identify any problem areas that may need follow up in order to help your child learn at
his/her full capacity. Parents will be notified prior to each appointment and informed of results.
Nutrition
The Cookson Hills Head Start program is required to provide the children with 1/2 to 2/3 of their daily
nutritional needs. Breakfast, lunch and mid-morning and/or afternoon snack are provided daily. These
meals meet the USDA meal pattern requirements. New foods are introduced to the children and they are
encouraged to try them. The nutrition program is part of the daily educational experience. Lesson plans
reflect nutrition activities and individual cultural backgrounds in order to provide a variety of experiences
around food.
Early Childhood Education and Development
Cookson Hills Community Action Head Start uses a curriculum called P.A.T.H.E. (Parents and Teachers
Helping Educate) that address all areas of a child's learning. Activities are individual to each child
according to their needs. Language and literacy are an essential part of the P.A.T.H.E.
Disability Services
All children need to grow and develop in a secure, caring environment. This is why ten percent of the
total number of enrollment slots is made available to children with disabilities. Children need the
opportunity to express themselves creatively and to become as independent as possible. This enhances
their self-concept. A child needs the chance to play and interact with other children. This helps them
gain language and social skills. All children need to have materials and learning opportunities to aid in
their development. All children need these things whether they have a disability or not. Cookson Hills
Head Start participates with the Local Education Agency (LEA) to provide the best services possible to
children with disabilities. We work with the LEA to meet the goals and objectives of the Individual
Education Plan (IEP) and provide support to the family.
Mental Health
Mental Health is reflected in how people see themselves, how they relate to others. Head Start's
objective is:
- To Build a two-way relationship among children, families and mental health professionals
- That mental health information and services be available to all children and families who may need
or want them.
This visit is to observe the classroom and watch for any concerns that staff and parents may have. They
see how children play together, how they relate to the teachers and how they play within the structure of
the classroom. Center staff will meet with the parents and discuss any concerns made by the mental
health professional.
| Parent Involvement in Head Start |
Parents are very important people! Without you, we would not have a Head Start Program, and we want
you to be involved as much as possible. There are several ways that you can be involved.
you to be involved as much as possible. There are several ways that you can be involved.
Head Start Parent Committee
Every parent who has a child enrolled in Head Start is a member of this committee. The Parent
Committee will meet each month at your center at a time that is convenient to the parents and voted
on by the parents. The Head Start Parent Committee is responsible for several dilfferent things,
including
Head Start Policy Council
The Policy Council is established at the grantee (Cookson Hills) level and is a requirement of the
Federal Performance Standards. The Policy Council is made up of two groups:
The Policy Council works with staff to develop, review and approve or disapprove procedures such
as funding applications, agency policies and procedures, agency service areas, criteria for defining
recruitment, selection and enrollment, the annual assessment for the agency and other duties as
found in the 45 CFT part 1034, Federal Performance Standards.
The Policy Council serves as a link to the Parent Committee, the Agency Board of Directors, public
and private organizations and the communities they serve. They will assist the Parent Committee in
planning and organizing activities for parents, recruiting volunteer services from parents,
community residents and organizations, and assist in communicating with parents to ensure that
they know and understand their rights, responsibilities and opportunities in the Head Start
Program. All parents may attend Policy Council Meetings. Only elected representatives may vote.
Policy Council Members will decide on a convenient time to meet and vote on it at the first meeting.
Transportation and childcare will be provided when needed.
For further information about the Policy Council, talk to your child's teacher or the Family
Partnership Manager assigned to your child's classroom.
Every parent who has a child enrolled in Head Start is a member of this committee. The Parent
Committee will meet each month at your center at a time that is convenient to the parents and voted
on by the parents. The Head Start Parent Committee is responsible for several dilfferent things,
including
- The committee helps staff to develop activities and curriculum (lesson plans) and help them
to carry these activities out. - Training will be provided at the monthly meeting.
- Any business needing to be conducted will be done in accordance with Robert's rules of
Order. - Each Parent Committee shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer,
Policy Council Representative (one per center) and Policy County Alternate (one per center)
Head Start Policy Council
The Policy Council is established at the grantee (Cookson Hills) level and is a requirement of the
Federal Performance Standards. The Policy Council is made up of two groups:
- Parents of currently enrolled children
- Community Representatives
The Policy Council works with staff to develop, review and approve or disapprove procedures such
as funding applications, agency policies and procedures, agency service areas, criteria for defining
recruitment, selection and enrollment, the annual assessment for the agency and other duties as
found in the 45 CFT part 1034, Federal Performance Standards.
The Policy Council serves as a link to the Parent Committee, the Agency Board of Directors, public
and private organizations and the communities they serve. They will assist the Parent Committee in
planning and organizing activities for parents, recruiting volunteer services from parents,
community residents and organizations, and assist in communicating with parents to ensure that
they know and understand their rights, responsibilities and opportunities in the Head Start
Program. All parents may attend Policy Council Meetings. Only elected representatives may vote.
Policy Council Members will decide on a convenient time to meet and vote on it at the first meeting.
Transportation and childcare will be provided when needed.
For further information about the Policy Council, talk to your child's teacher or the Family
Partnership Manager assigned to your child's classroom.
| Applications for Enrollment in Head Start are taken all year long. Call today! |
Partnership Managers are trained in helping families to meet any immediate needs that they may have.
Any family that feels that they have an immediate need for their family such as food, clothing, shelter
etc., should contact the Family Partnership Manager assigned to their child's classroom.
Transition
Another way that the Head Start Program builds partnerships with families is to assist them with the
transition from home into Head Start and from Head Start into Kindergarten or a Pre-K Program.
Knowing that Head Start Staff have developed relationships with children, parents and school officials, it
makes sense that they would have an advantage in working with children to help them to prepare for
moving on. Interactive activities will be provided for children to introduce them to the Kindergarten
teachers and classrooms. Parents will meet teachers at Parent Meetings to ask questions.
In addition, every child will have a transition packet and personal portfolio from the Head Start Program.
The transition packet will contain:
This packet will be given to you, as a parent, when your child leaves the Head Start Program. When you
enroll your child in Kindergarten, simply take the packet with you and you are all set! The personal
portfolio will contain samples of your child's work throughout the Head Start year. This will be of interest
to your child's teacher as they can see what your child has done.
Any family that feels that they have an immediate need for their family such as food, clothing, shelter
etc., should contact the Family Partnership Manager assigned to their child's classroom.
Transition
Another way that the Head Start Program builds partnerships with families is to assist them with the
transition from home into Head Start and from Head Start into Kindergarten or a Pre-K Program.
Knowing that Head Start Staff have developed relationships with children, parents and school officials, it
makes sense that they would have an advantage in working with children to help them to prepare for
moving on. Interactive activities will be provided for children to introduce them to the Kindergarten
teachers and classrooms. Parents will meet teachers at Parent Meetings to ask questions.
In addition, every child will have a transition packet and personal portfolio from the Head Start Program.
The transition packet will contain:
- A copy of your child's certified birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Health summary
- Any other records that may be required to enroll in kindergarten
This packet will be given to you, as a parent, when your child leaves the Head Start Program. When you
enroll your child in Kindergarten, simply take the packet with you and you are all set! The personal
portfolio will contain samples of your child's work throughout the Head Start year. This will be of interest
to your child's teacher as they can see what your child has done.
Family and Community Partnerships
The primary role of the Family and Community Partnership staff is to offer families opportunities and
support for growth. All families need support systems at various times in life. The Family and
Community Partnership staff is here to provide families with information about the Head Start program
and support services available in the community. Your Family Partnership Manager (FPM) is available to:
The primary role of the Family and Community Partnership staff is to offer families opportunities and
support for growth. All families need support systems at various times in life. The Family and
Community Partnership staff is here to provide families with information about the Head Start program
and support services available in the community. Your Family Partnership Manager (FPM) is available to:
- Support your family in setting and reaching goals
- Help your family identify and overcome challenges
- Provide information about available community resources and how to use them
- Keep you informed of parent involvement, volunteer and employment opportunities at Head Start
- Assist you in a crisis or emergency situations
- Serve as your advocate
Front Row:
Pat Gower, Nutrition Specialist
Jeannie Clinton, Program Director
Tracey Barger, Education/Staff Development Specialist
Back Row:
Sherry Hullinger, Human Resources Specialist
Heather Estes, Assistant Nutrition Specialist
Karen Resendiz, ERSEA/Family Partnership Specialist
Lisa Colburn, Health/Mental Health Specialist
Kim Brown, Disabilities and Transportation Specialist
| Head Start Staff |