Head Start
Program Description
The Head Start program serves children prenatal to five years of age and their families. Head Start uses two models that are home- and center-based. Serving 302 children and their families, Head Start focuses on six component areas that are basic to a child's development: education, health, disabilities, nutrition, family involvement, and social services. Head Start Center Base Programs are found in nine communities in southeast Alaska: Angoon, Hoonah, Juneau, Klawock, Petersburg, Saxman, Sitka, Wrangell, and Yakutat. Center Base programs provide a preschool learning environment for children three to five years of age, four mornings a week. There are usually 15-20 children in each center-based classroom. Staff are trained in early childhood and family development. Head Start Home Base Programs are found in three southeast Alaska communities: Craig, Juneau, and Sitka. Home Base programs serve children three to five years of age in Craig and Sitka, and children prenatal to five years of age in Juneau. There are 54 children served in this home-focused program. Parents participate in weekly home visits with a home visitor, and in two group functions per month. The focus of the Home Base program revolves around supporting the parent as the primary educator of their child. The home visitor facilitates and assists the parents in planning and carrying out activities for their individual family and child. Each home visitor works with ten to twelve families.
Head Start Form 10.02(a) Eligibility Application 
Head Start 2001 Annual Report 
Head Start 2008 Staff Directory
Alaska Native Home Base Video Project
Goals
Upcoming goals include:
implementing the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and recommendations from the Systems Review and Program Assessment; investigating alternative models and initiatives in preparation for Welfare Reform (re-evaluating the Home Base program and
realigning it with family needs; and improving collaboration with child care and parent training resources);
increasing collaboration between the Home and Center-based programs;
expanding and integrating the Family Wellness model to all Head Start sites; establishing a plan to continually upgrade and maintain Head Start facilities and vehicles; continuing collaboration efforts with Job Training Partnership ACT (JTPA) and other programs to assist parents in joining the work force; establishing career development plans for employees, volunteers, and parents so they are able to increase their education and skill levels; realigning administrative and coordination positions so that Head Start centers are provided with more support; developing and implementing a transition plan so children and parents are better prepared to enter public schools; and implementing a curriculum that is based on sound principles of early childhood development.
Funding Agency and Annual Budget
There are three funding sources for the Head Start program: the Federal Head Start Bureau; the State of Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs, Head Start Program; and the USDA Child Care Food Program. In addition to program grant dollars, Head Start relies heavily on in-kind donations of cash, volunteer time, donated supplies, materials, and other resources in order to deliver quality services to Head Start children, families, and communities. Most in-kind contributions originate from Head Start parents, city and tribal governments, school districts, local businesses, local citizen groups (ANS, ANB, Elks Clubs, Lions Clubs, and church groups), and Native corporations.
For more information on Tlingit Haida Head Start, contact one of our staff. |
