Head Start

Center Base Home Base Full Day / Full Year

     Armstrong County CAA Head Start is a comprehensive preschool child development program that serves low income children ages three to five (3-5) and their families. In order to be considered for Head Start, a child must turn three (3) by August 31 and must not be of kindergarten age.

• Ninety percent of the children enrolled must meet 100% Federal Income Guidelines
• A ten percent allowance is provided for over income families.
• Performance Standards mandate that ten percent of the enrollment are children with special needs.

     The program thus provides disadvantaged children a preschool experience they would not otherwise be able to afford - an opportunity for equal education. Head Start is the one of the few preschool programs in the County to mainstream special needs children. Staff write Individual Program Plans for all children; and special services, such as speech therapy, are provided in order for all children to participate to the best of their ability.

     Head Start has been an integral part of the Community Action Agency in Armstrong County since 1966. What began as a summer-only program serving less than 50 children has evolved into a program that serves 222 children: 207 are enrolled September through May, and 15 receive services throughout the year.

      Currently, Head Start services are provided to families in the following areas: Adrian, Apollo, Manorville, Kittanning, Shannock, and Worthington. Some flexibility exists in programming in that if a need is demonstrated in a particular area by a sufficient number of eligible applications, every effort is made to provide services in that area. Following recruitment of children and families in the spring, selection is made. Although selection takes place the first week in June, applications are accepted throughout the year so that the funded enrollment level can be maintained.

     Although not available in every area, three options are provided from which families can choose:

• Center Based - available in Adrian, Apollo, Kittanning, Manorville, Shannock, and Worthington
• Home Based - available in Kittanning and Manorville
• Full Day/Full Year - Kids' Depot in Ford City

           Parents have always been and continue to be the biggest asset the program has. They are given many opportunities to participate in the program:

• at the center level;
• volunteering in the centers and on center committees;
• and at the County level as members of the governing body, the Policy Council.

Parents not only participate but make decisions about the kind of preschool program they want their children to have.  Head Start adheres to the philosophy that parents are the first and best teachers of their children.

      Over the years, Head Start has developed relationships and collaborations with a number of other social service agencies, offices, and school districts throughout Armstrong County. The ARIN Intermediate Unit provides speech therapy as well as physical and occupational therapy for Head Start children in need of those services. Several local optometrists and dentists provide free vision and dental examinations. The Armstrong School District works with staff and parents to provide training and information concerning the transition from Head Start to kindergarten.

Head Start...

"WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES"