The Head Start program at The Learning Center provides crucial support to toddlers and pre-schoolers who live at or below the poverty level in Jackson Hole. While "poverty" is not a word that is closely associated with life in this resort community, the reality is that hundreds of children don't have enough to eat, don't have healthcare, don't have safe childcare and couldn't succeed in an educational environment without intervention. Head Start is a federal program that gives children living at the one hundred percent poverty level; at or under $18,000 dollars per year for a family of four; two meals, educational opportunities, and family services. The Learning Center is the only agency in Jackson that has the Head Start program and it is delivered entirely without cost to participating families. This can happen because of a strong network of community collaboration including space provided for the program on the campus of Jackson Elementary School.
The program includes:
The Head Start Program in Sublette County is totally home-based and provides home visits and essential services directly to families in need. The Learning Center in Teton County is staffed with English and Spanish speakers and children learn in a dual language immersion program. They learn in English from native English speakers and in Spanish from native Spanish speakers. And, while most are from Latino families, the program is also seeing an increase in other immigrant populations as well as in those born in the US. Like all educational programs at The Learning Center, these classrooms are treated as research centers where children can learn about the world around them, discuss their theories and ideas with their friends and teachers, go on field trips in the community and learn the essential communication and literacy skills that will help them as they enter kindergarten and later school years. The work of Head Start continues long after the children leave the classroom. Teachers call families to make sure that things are OK at home. They follow up with agencies to coordinate services, complete assessments on children, contact a dentist or a doctor about a child's health, provide translations, visit the homes, and look for resources to support the classroom and also the families. The parents of Head Start children are encouraged to be involved with the program by serving on advisory committees and helping in the classroom. This gives parents a "head start" in understanding and successfully navigating the public school system, making them effective advocates for their kids long after leaving The Learning Center
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Administration for Children & Families: Head Start Bureau  Printer friendly version
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