Head Start is a federally funded program serving income eligible families that include pregnant women and children ages birth to five. In 2001, Preschool Head Start celebrated its 35th anniversary in Chenango County with a community Birthday Party.
This comprehensive program keeps growing and changing to meet the unique needs of families and children. New initiatives in 2001 came from the input of parents, staff and the federal government. Both Early Head Start and Preschool Head Start were awarded expansion grants in 2001 to serve families in two new program models. Early Head Start began serving families in the Combination Option with two socializations per week and two home visits per month. Preschool Head Start joined a select few agencies across the country in developing the Family Day Care Option. This option will allow families to receive Head Start quality services in a partnering Family Day Care Provider’s home.
In 2001 the Program expanded the array of Literacy services available to families. The Family Literacy Coordinator works to provide families and staff with the latest learning techniques and developmentally appropriate materials. Male Involvement took on a special emphasis during this year with the hiring of a Parent Involvement Specialist and the establishment of a fathers group. The Preschool Head Start Program continued to support the emotional development of children by expanding the Special Friends project and creating a position specifically to assist in the Center Based Model.
The Head Start Program began working on a number of other projects to be implemented in 2002 including, services to grandparents who are parenting, leadership training for parents and staff, youth development and a family mentoring support system.
For more information, contact us
via phone at (607) 334-7114 or via email at ofcfmchs@adelphia.net
Parents provided over 23,000 volunteer hours in 2001
OFC, Inc.'s Head Start program has served 319 pregnant women and children ages 0 - 5