The Head Start Program of Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. has been serving income eligible families in Chenango County since 1966. With the addition of Early Head Start in 2001, this Federally funded program offers comprehensive services to 319 children from birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families.

Working in partnership with families, Head Start strives to ensure that all children receive appropriate medical and dental care and that families are able to establish a medical home for ongoing health care. Physical and developmental screenings are completed on all children and referrals for additional evaluations are made where appropriate.

There are 4 different options available to Head Start families. Both Early Head Start and Preschool Head Start offer Home Based services where a worker visits the family in their home once a week and the families gather for a group socialization every two weeks. A Combination Option is available for Early Head Start in Norwich and for Preschool Head Start in Otselic Valley. Children in this option come together 2 days each week with a Home Visit twice a month. The Family Child Care Option provides families with Head Start services in a partnering Family Day Care Providers Home. There are 9 classrooms in various communities providing a Center Based Option, 4 days a week.

All four options provide a planned, organized and consistently implemented curriculum to support child development and education following the Head Start National Performance Standards.

The Performance Standards Introduction states that: “Head Start is a child focused program that takes into account the interrelatedness of social, emotional, cognitive and physical development”.

One of the unique aspects of the Head Start Program is its family centered philosophy. Parents are supported in their role as primary educators of their child. Head Start parents are fully involved in program governance, including decisions about program planning, budgeting and staff selection. Parents work as program and classroom volunteers and have provided 8654.15 hours of service from July, 2003 through March, 2004.

The Family Literacy Coordinator has provided families and staff with the latest learning techniques and developmentally appropriate materials, including the Doors to Discovery Literacy Curriculum, “take home” book activity bags and literacy activities that Family Advocates include during each Home Visit.

In June 2004, the Parent Involvement Coordinator will be attending a Head Start Training Conference on Male Involvement to help expand the many ways fathers can be actively involved in the program. Other initiatives include a Grandparents Group for individuals who are parenting for the second time and a Leadership Training Institute for parents and staff.

For more information, contact us via phone at (607) 334-7114 or click here to send email.