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Overview
Early Head Start is a federally funded program for pregnant women and children birth to age three from income eligible families living in the following counties: Collin, Grayson and Rockwall. The school district boundaries include campuses in McKinney, Rockwall, and Sherman. This comprehensive early childhood program provides services in education, health, social services, nutrition, mental health, and parent involvement. Primary eligibility is based on income and may include but is not limited to pregnant and parenting teens, children in foster care, homeless families and children with disabilities.
Program Options
Home Based Program Option
In the Early Head Start, families can consider a more flexible program through the Home Based Early Childhood Education Program.Parent Educators make weekly home visits scheduled collaboratively with the families. Playgroups are scheduled twice a month to foster learning through socializations.
By working together in an environment most familiar to the participants and using items from the home that promote learning and development, families and educators become partners with the same important goal: preparing children to succeed in school.
Center Based Program Option
Early Head Start programs provide similar services as preschool Head Start programs, but they are tailored for the unique needs of infants and toddlers.
Early Head Start programs promote the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. This prepares children for continued growth and development and eventual success in school and life.
In the Center Based Program Option, education and child development services are delivered primarily in classroom settings, which are located in an Early Head Start center, school, or child care center. Staff members also visit family homes at least twice per year. Following the general Head Start model, Early Head Start programs supports the child's primary caregiver (mom, dad, aunt, grandparent, foster parent), in their role as caregiver and teacher of their children.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Early Head Start team members at (972) 348-1144.
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Overview
The Region 10 Head Start/Early Head Start program falls under the direction of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has succeeded by promoting school readiness in children and self-sufficiency for their families. We are required to adhere to a set of guidelines known as the Head Start Performance Standards.
Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) is the grantee for Head Start and Early Head Start services while partnering with thirteen (13) school districts serving 952 children in Head Start and 168 pregnant women and children in Early Head Start for a total funded enrollment of 1,120.
Head Start is a federally funded program for preschool children from income eligible families living in the following counties: Collin, Ellis, Grayson, Kaufman and Rockwall. The specific school district boundaries include campuses in Crandall, Denison, Ennis, Farmersville, Italy, Kemp, Mabank, McKinney, Pottsboro, Royse City, and Sherman. This comprehensive early childhood program provides services in education, health, social services, nutrition, mental health, and parent/family engagement.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start team members at (972) 348-1616.
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Overview
Head Start Education Service Area ensures ongoing support to Head Start teachers and other relevant staff who provide responsive care and effective teaching. An organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five. This also includes children with disabilities who receive high-quality early education and child development. These services are provided through the implementation of the Head Start Federal Performance Standards.
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) helps improve program quality and outcomes with an emphasis on teacher-child interactions.
For organizations seeking to streamline CLASS implementation, Teachstone, an online platform, creates an all-in-one solution that combines teacher assessment data, actionable insights, and research-based professional content.
A team of Education Consultants offer ongoing support to ensure the Head Start teaching staff effectively implement curricula within the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, (which aligns with the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines) and a developmentally appropriate framework.
Education Consultants coordinate a practice-based coaching strategy for Head Start teachers and instructional assistants that includes assessing all education staff to identify strengths, and areas of needed support. They also determine which staff would benefit most from intensive coaching to ensure effective teacher practices directly related to program performance goals.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Education team members at (972) 348-1696.
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Overview
Region 10 Head Start Inclusion provides support to students with identified disabilities in Head Start classrooms. Specifically, support and any needed adaptation is given with regard to students who have an identified disability, a concern of a possible disability, as well as those students who were assessed, but did not qualify for services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inclusion also benefits children without disabilities. It gives them the opportunity to work with children with diverse abilities and sometimes provides them with leadership opportunities if they assist students with disabilities in the classroom setting.
For additional information on inclusion, see the following:
Inclusion Basics: Membership – Head Start Center for Inclusion (headstartinclusion.org)Facilitating Membership in Head Start classrooms Video
Slides for Facilitating Membership in Head Start classrooms
- How do I know if my child has a disability?
If you are applying for Head Start in a district with a Region10 Head Start partnership, check on the application that you have a concern about your child having a possible disability. Please be as detailed as possible about your developmental concerns regarding your child. The Inclusion Consultant will then review your information and contact you about your concerns. For general information regarding young children being tested for possible disabilities, please see How to Get Services. If your child has been diagnosed with a disability by the medical community, please be aware that it does not guarantee that he or she will qualify for a disability by the school district. This is because there must be an educational need in order for the child to qualify.
- Does an identified disability guarantee a slot in Head Start?
No. Although a school district or a public charter may have identified your child as having a disability, this does not guarantee a slot in Head Start. Head Start must serve the children with the highest needs. There are multiple factors that determine which children have the highest need.
- I am waiting on my child to be tested by the school district. What can I do while I am waiting?
If possible, see what community activities are available for your child (library story time, art classes, etc.). Apply for Head Start, as well as Pre-K. Check with your insurance company and with your doctor to see what services your child might qualify for within the medical community. If your child is enrolled in a Region 10 Head Start classroom, consult with your child's teacher and with your Family Resource Specialist regarding your concerns.
- I attended my first ARD meeting and have noticed that there are many acronyms in special education. What do they mean?
Disability and Special Education Acronyms
- In ARD meetings, I hear a lot about accommodations and modifications. What do these terms mean?
Accommodations Vs Modifications - Texas Project First
- What are the benefits of a child with a disability being included in a Head Start classroom?
Children with disabilities who are included in general education settings, when appropriate, with same-age peers are able to practice having conversations with (including hearing the language of) their non-disabled peers. They are also exposed to multiple social/emotional learning opportunities. The ARD/IEP committee (which parents are a part of) will determine the appropriate placement of a child with identified disabilities.
Inclusion also benefits children without disabilities. It gives them the opportunity to work with children with diverse abilities and sometimes provides them with leadership opportunities if they assist students with disabilities in the classroom setting.
For additional information on inclusion, see the following:
Inclusion Basics: Membership – Head Start Center for Inclusion (headstartinclusion.org)
- My child has an identified disability and is about to transition into or out of Head Start. Are there any helpful suggestions available?
Transitions in Early Head Start
- What are normal developmental milestones?
CDC's Developmental Milestones
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Inclusion team members at (972) 348-1558 or (972) 348-1792.
- How do I know if my child has a disability?
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Overview
A program must establish its own criteria for selection of children to enroll based on community needs. Eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance of children are outlined in our Enrollment Plan. This ensures the Performance Standards are adhered to for processing the eligibility documentation from families who have the greatest need based on income and children’s age.
Head Start: Primary Eligibility for Prospective Students- The family's income must fall within the federal poverty income guidelines.
- Children must meet district age eligibility requirements (some districts also serve 3 year old students) and live within school district boundaries. Due to the Local Education Agency (LEA) partnerships, families must meet and provide documents as required by the district for residency. The exception will be students meeting the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act)
Head Start also accepts over-income students with diagnosed disabilities based on Head Start and school district criteria.Early Head Start: Primary Eligibility for Prospective Students
- The family's income must fall within the federal poverty income guidelines.
- Children must meet district age eligibility requirements (must be birth to three years of age) and live within the school district boundaries of Sherman ISD, McKinney ISD, or Rockwall ISD. Due to the Local Education Agency (LEA) partnerships, families must meet and provide documents as required by the district for residency. The exception will be students meeting the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
- Pregnant women and teens that meet the above eligibility criteria may apply for Early Head Start services.
Early Head Start also accepts over-income students with diagnosed disabilities based on Early Childhood Intervention and school district criteria.Apply Online - Child Plus
ChildPlus is a data system used by the Region 10 Head Start/Early Head Start program and is a widely used Head Start management software. ChildPlus data system allows Head Start/Early Head Start staff to do the following:
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Perform self-monitoring checks to prepare for reviews
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Monitor family goals and outcomes
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Ensure all health requirements are met, immunizations are up-to-date, etc.
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Access community resource directory to support families’ needs
This can be done from a mobile device or computer. A staff member from Head Start or Early Head Start will then contact the family to begin the qualification process by scheduling an eligibility interview.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start PFCE-ERSEA team members at (972) 348-1584 or (972) 348-1688.
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Health & Nutrition Overview
Wellness is a significant contributor for each child's ability to thrive and develop.Provisions:
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High-quality health, oral health, mental health, and nutrition services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate supporting each child’s growth and school readiness
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Safe environment by providing active supervision
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Assistance to families in accessing a Medical and Dental home as well as health insurance
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Screenings: evidence-based vision and hearing, growth assessment, dental, speech and developmental
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Nutritional needs: foods served are high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar and salt. Children are involved in classroom food related activities
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Oral Health: children brush teeth at least once daily. Teaching teams promote effective dental hygiene and provide dental education.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start Health-nutrition team members at (972) 348-1072 or (972) 348-6824.
Mental Health Overview
The area of Mental Health Services supports social and emotional skills in the classroom and at home through consultation, which includes providing strategies, resources, and referrals for teachers and families.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start Mental Health team members at (972) 348-1698 or (972) 348-1664.
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Overview
Family and community engagement fosters partnerships among schools, family and community groups, and individuals. These partnerships result in sharing and maximizing resources while helping children develop healthy behaviors and promote healthy families.
Research shows that students whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to:
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Adapt well to school
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Attend school more regularly
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Complete homework more consistently
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Earn higher grades and test scores
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Graduate and go on to college
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Have better social skills
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Show improved behavior
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Have better relationships with their parents
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Have higher self-esteem
Additionally, linking community activities to the classroom
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Improves school-related behaviors
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Positively impacts academic achievement
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Reduces school suspension rates
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start PFCE-ERSEA team members at (972) 348-1584 or (972) 348-1688.
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Head Start Program Governance is both unique and complex and includes three separate entities: (1) the governing body, (2) Policy Council, and (3) the management staff. Policy Councils are responsible for the direction of the agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start program. A strong governance system fosters an environment that supports innovation and continuous program improvement while working to establish positive relationships among all three of the Head Start governing entities. This further enhances Head Start’s preparation to problems and to delivery of high-quality Head Start services. Governing bodies have a legal and fiscal responsibility to administer and oversee the agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start program. A formal structure for program governance is established and maintained by each Head Start and Early Head Start program.
For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Head Start/Early Head Start team members at (972) 348-1616.
Director
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