Union Township Community Action Organization. Head Start Program

Head Start Program

Director - Marcus Woods

What is Union Township Community Action Organization Head Start?

UTCAO Head Start program serves the needs of income eligible children and families presently in three locations in Union County. There are two sites in Elizabeth and one in Roselle. The program serves approximately 360 children along with providing services to their families.

What is Head Start?

Head Start is a national program which provides comprehensive developmental services for America's low-income, pre-school children (ages three to five) and social services for their families. Specific services for children focus on education, socio-emotional development, physical and mental health, and nutrition.

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. Many community-based non-profit organizations and school systems develop unique and innovative programs to meet the specific needs of their communities.

A Comprehensive Child Development Program

Each year, almost one million children from low-income families enter school for the first time. While their more fortunate classmates may face the new challenge with assurance, many children from low-income homes begin school with health problems and a lack of self-confidence. Without the will to move ahead, these children often fall behind in their first years of school and find their troubles compounded in later years. Research has shown that it is possible to strengthen the ability of a disadvantaged child to cope with school and the child's total environment, thus helping thousands of children look forward to a brighter future.

The program is locally administered by approximately 1,400 community-based non-profit organizations and school systems. Grants are awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services Regional Offices, except for the American Indian and Migrant programs, which are administered in Washington, D.C. The Head Start legislation states that the Federal grant to operate a local Head Start program shall not exceed 80 percent of the approved costs of the program. Twenty percent must be contributed by the community. The non- Federal share (the 20 percent) may be in cash or contributed services. Head Start permits local Head Start sponsors to provide children with classroom-based or home- based developmental programs.

The Major Components of Head Start

UTCAO Head Start programs seek to service the four major components of Head Start.

Education

Head Start's educational program is designed to meet each child's individual needs. It also aims to meet the needs of the community, considering its ethnic and cultural characteristics.

Every child receives a variety of learning experiences to foster intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Children participate in indoor and outdoor play and are introduced to the concepts of words and numbers. They are encouraged to express their feelings and to develop self-confidence and the ability to get along with others.

Health

We collaborate with many community agencies to provide the best quality health services for our children, from immunization to complete medical examinations. It's not uncommon to see the mobile medical service, a qualified psychologist and the best nutritionist working closely with our staff for the children we serve. We also train parents on how to keep their children in good health.

Parent Involvement

Parents are the most important influence on a child's development. An essential part of every Head Start program is the involvement of parents in parent education, program planning, and operating activities. Many serve as members of their local program's Policy Councils and Committees and have a voice in the administrative and managerial decisions.

Social Services

The social services component of our Head Start represents an organized method of assisting families to assess their needs, and providing those services that will build upon the individual strengths of families to meet their own needs. Some of the activities that the social services staff use to assist families to meet their needs are: community outreach, referrals and family need assessments. We provide information about available community resources and how to obtain and use them. We actively recruit and enroll qualified children and provide emergency assistance and/or crisis intervention.

Children with Disabilities

A disabled child can often learn more readily in a group with other children than in a separate group for the disabled. Our Head Start has successfully carried out a 1972 Congressional mandate requiring that at least 10 percent of its enrollment be available for disabled children. Disabled children and their families receive the full range of Head Start developmental services. In addition, UTCOA Head Start staff members work closely with community agencies to provide services to meet the special needs of the disabled child.

Organizations and Volunteers Help Head Start

Over the years, volunteers have been an important part of all Head Start programs. High school and college students, homemakers, parents of Head Start children, retired senior citizens - all kinds of people have offered their much needed help to local Head Start programs. Volunteers assist with classroom activities; drive or escort children to and from centers to medical appointments; take small groups of children on outings and visits to the community; assist in parent education help renovate and decorate Head Start centers; and recruit and instruct other volunteers.

Community organizations provide a wide array of services to Head Start including the donation of classroom space, educational materials, eyeglasses for children, special equipment for disabled children, and medical and dental examinations. Please join our list of donors today.

	Head Start Program

	Director - Marcus Woods What is Union Township Community Action Organization Head Start? UTCAO Head Start program serves the needs of income eligible children and families presently in three locations in Union County. There are two sites in Elizabeth and one in Roselle. The program serves approximately 360 children along with providing services to their families. What is Head Start? Head Start is a national program which provides comprehensive developmental services for America's low-income, pre-school children (ages three to five) and social services for their families. Specific services for children focus on education, socio-emotional development, physical and mental health, and nutrition. 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. Many community-based non-profit organizations and school systems develop unique and innovative programs to meet the specific needs of their communities. A Comprehensive Child Development Program Each year, almost one million children from low-income families enter school for the first time. While their more fortunate classmates may face the new challenge with assurance, many children from low-income homes begin school with health problems and a lack of self-confidence. Without the will to move ahead, these children often fall behind in their first years of school and find their troubles compounded in later years. Research has shown that it is possible to strengthen the ability of a disadvantaged child to cope with school and the child's total environment, thus helping thousands of children look forward to a brighter future. The program is locally administered by approximately 1,400 community-based non-profit organizations and school systems. Grants are awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services Regional Offices, except for the American Indian and Migrant programs, which are administered in Washington, D.C. The Head Start legislation states that the Federal grant to operate a local Head Start program shall not exceed 80 percent of the approved costs of the program. Twenty percent must be contributed by the community. The non- Federal share (the 20 percent) may be in cash or contributed services. Head Start permits local Head Start sponsors to provide children with classroom-based or home- based developmental programs. The Major Components of Head Start UTCAO Head Start programs seek to service the four major components of Head Start. Education Head Start's educational program is designed to meet each child's individual needs. It also aims to meet the needs of the community, considering its ethnic and cultural characteristics. Every child receives a variety of learning experiences to foster intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Children participate in indoor and outdoor play and are introduced to the concepts of words and numbers. They are encouraged to express their feelings and to develop self-confidence and the ability to get along with others. Health We collaborate with many community agencies to provide the best quality health services for our children, from immunization to complete medical examinations. It's not uncommon to see the mobile medical service, a qualified psychologist and the best nutritionist working closely with our staff for the children we serve. We also train parents on how to keep their children in good health. Parent Involvement Parents are the most important influence on a child's development. An essential part of every Head Start program is the involvement of parents in parent education, program planning, and operating activities. Many serve as members of their local program's Policy Councils and Committees and have a voice in the administrative and managerial decisions. Social Services The social services component of our Head Start represents an organized method of assisting families to assess their needs, and providing those services that will build upon the individual strengths of families to meet their own needs. Some of the activities that the social services staff use to assist families to meet their needs are: community outreach, referrals and family need assessments. We provide information about available community resources and how to obtain and use them. We actively recruit and enroll qualified children and provide emergency assistance and/or crisis intervention. Children with Disabilities A disabled child can often learn more readily in a group with other children than in a separate group for the disabled. Our Head Start has successfully carried out a 1972 Congressional mandate requiring that at least 10 percent of its enrollment be available for disabled children. Disabled children and their families receive the full range of Head Start developmental services. In addition, UTCOA Head Start staff members work closely with community agencies to provide services to meet the special needs of the disabled child. Organizations and Volunteers Help Head Start Over the years, volunteers have been an important part of all Head Start programs. High school and college students, homemakers, parents of Head Start children, retired senior citizens - all kinds of people have offered their much needed help to local Head Start programs. Volunteers assist with classroom activities; drive or escort children to and from centers to medical appointments; take small groups of children on outings and visits to the community; assist in parent education help renovate and decorate Head Start centers; and recruit and instruct other volunteers. Community organizations provide a wide array of services to Head Start including the donation of classroom space, educational materials, eyeglasses for children, special equipment for disabled children, and medical and dental examinations. Please join our list of donors today.