Headstart

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Hoopa Tribal Early Headstart
PO Box 428
Hoopa Ca 95546
(530) 625-1022 or (530) 625-5562
angelvigilkorb@yahoo.com

Hoopa Tribal Head Start
Po Box 1287
Hoopa Ca 95546
(530) 625-4522 Fax (530) 625-4526
hvths@pcweb.net

Click Here for an Application
(2.74 MB)

Welcome to Early Head Start & Head Start

The staff here at Early Head Start (prenatal to age 3) and Head Start (ages 3-5) would like to take this time to welcome you into our program. We are looking forward to working with you and your child in the days, months, and even years to come. Please take some time to read the handbook and sign the agreement on the last page.

Hours of Operation
Early Head Start: Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
Head Start: Monday – Friday, 7:00am to 5:30pm

Early Headstart Staff
Angel Korb- Program Manager
Carolyn Ferris - Family Specialist
Alyson Hescock- Home Base Teacher
Bonita Thom- Home Base Teacher
Kimberly Scott- Home Base Teacher
Lulu Baldy- Home Base Teacher

Head Start Staff
Lola “Kadoo” Henry - Director
Dale Anne White - Bus Driver
Lacie Lewis - Teacher
Carol Muller - Teacher
Crystal Wilson - Teachers Aid
Marilyn Randall - Teachers Aid
Marla Hunsucker - Disability Aid
Barbara McCovey - Cook
TBA - Substitute Cook
Catherine Jones - Cook Aid

Policy Council Board Members
Samola Maloney- Chairman
Lesley Hunt- Vice Chairman
Clara Luna- Secretary
Jaime Bailey- Board Member
Candee Tracy- Board Member
Allie Hostler- Board Member
Lila Jackson- Community Representative
Amber Turner- Community Representative

Mission of Early Head Start & Head Start

The Early Head Start/Head Start is a national program providing comprehensive child development services to the community. These services are provided primarily to low income families, prenatal and children ages birth to five. These programs provide educational experiences including Health, Nutrition and Social Services to all enrolled families. Parents will be provided with training and educational opportunities that will enhance their understanding of early childhood development. The growth and development of a happy child depends on the educational upbringing of the community. Together we can make a difference in the lives of the children and families we service by providing a safe, healthy, loving and learning environment through: culture, love, respect and education. We can make a difference in the community.

PHILOSOPHY

“Cherishing every moment, nurturing every child, educating through love & respect for one’s self, one’s family, one’s tribe and one’s nation.”

What are the Early Head Start & Head Start Programs all about?

Early Head Start and Head Start are comprehensive child development programs, which serve children from birth to 5, pregnant women and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. The Head Start Program has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive and high quality services designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start services are responsive and appropriate to each child and family’s development, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience. All Head Start programs must adhere to Program Performance Standards. The Head Start Program Performance Standards define the service that Head Start Programs are to provide to the children and families they serve. They constitute the expectations and requirements that Head Start grantees must meet. They are designed to ensure that the Head Start goals and objectives are implemented successfully, that the Head Start philosophy continues to thrive, and that all grantee and delegate agencies maintain the highest possible quality in the provision of Head Start services.

Program Design and Management

The Hoopa Tribal Early Head Start & Head Start Program performance standards are addressed in the administrative standards in program design and management. There are four areas:

1304.50 Governance
1304.51 Management Systems & Procedures
1304.52 Human Resources Management
1304.53 Facilities, Materials & Equipment

1304.50 Program Governance describes the formal structure of shared governance between the Hoopa Tribal EHS/HS Policy Council and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council. The local center parent committees are empowered to elect parents from their center to serve a one-year term on the Hoopa EHS/HS Policy Council. The Policy Council has the policy-making authority at the grantee level. The Hoopa Valley Tribal Council is the governing board, meaning that they have the legal and fiscal responsibilities for the Early Head Start/Head Start Program. The funding goes to the Hoopa Valley Tribe and they must make sure that the funds for Early Head Start and Head Start are disbursed in accordance with the grant applications.

1304.51 Management Systems & Procedures are the part of the program’s on going and organized approach to managing Head Start services to provide quality services to children and families. This is done through design and implementing effective systems for program planning, communication, record keeping, reporting and program self assessment and monitoring.

1304.52 Human Resources Performance Standards require that the program hire well qualified staff. Our teachers and assistants have or are working on either a Child Development Associate or a degree in Early Childhood Education.

1304.53 Facilities, Material & Equipment all the Early Head Start and Head Start Centers are inspected by the tribal environmental health sanitarium at least once a year. Facilities, Material & Equipment are selected and maintained to create a learning environment that is safe, accessible, welcoming, comfortable, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive and in keeping with individual needs of children and families. Early Head Start and Head Start not only follow the Federal Performance Standards, but the Hoopa Valley Tribal Regulations as well. Our facilities are accessible to those with disabilities

Family and Community Partnerships

If you thought that Early Head Start or Head Start is just a program geared to children, they you are about half the way to understanding what our program is all about. The other half has to do with you. As stated in our program Performance Standards, “Early Head Start and Head Start offers parents opportunities and support for growth, so that they can identify their won strengths, needs, and interests, and find their own solutions. The goal of Family and Community Partnerships is to support parents as they identify and meet their own goals, nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture, and advocate for communities that are supportive of children and families of all cultures.” Our staff will work with you to take a look at those things you would like to accomplish in your life or things you would like to finish that you have not had the time or the resources for. A Family Partnership Agreement is a plan that you will develop (voluntary) throughout the program year with your home visitor of family service worker which will assist you in developing both long and short term goals you and your family may have.

Services to Children with Special Needs

Early Head Start
The Early Start has two Part C partners, Redwood Coast Regional Center and Humboldt County Office of Education.

Contact Person for Redwood Coast Regional Center
Janelle Bohannan, R.N., P.H.N.
Phone: (707) 445-0893 ext. 335

Humboldt County Office of Education
Julie Booth
Phone: (707) 445-7043

Head Start

The Head Start Part C partners are Humboldt County Office of Education. Speech and Language services are provided by Klamath Trinity Unified School District.

Contact Person for Humboldt County Office of Education:
Jill Gallagher

Klamath Trinity Unified School District
William McDonald
Phone: (530) 625-4223

Services Provided

The Hoopa Tribal Early Head Start and Head Start Disabilities component responsibility is to make available or in cooperation with other agency services, in the least restrictive environment in accordance with Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for at least 10% of enrolled children who meet the disabilities eligibility criteria. The Early Head Start & Head Start Program is mandated to recruit and enroll children with disabilities who are most in need of services and to coordinate with the Local Education Association (LEA) and other groups to benefit children with disabilities and their families. All centers are handicapped accessible also collaborate with Early Intervention Aids and other specialists who come into the home or the center to work individually and as a group with your child.

Child Development and Health Services

As primary educators in your child’s life, we need to understand what we relate and how we respond to our children will affect their development from birth to adulthood. This idea is the basis of the Birth to Five Program of Early Head Start and Head Start. We at Birth to Five strive to provide experiences, interactions and materials that will enhance each child’s individual level of development. We, as center caregivers, plan for the individual cognitive, motor, language, social and self-help skills of your children. More specifically, in the areas of fine motor, gross motor, sensory, reading and writing, and creative activities in discovery, pretend, and blocks/table toys/ Each of which will let the children express their own individual creativity. We will provide an environment fro the children that are physically safe, clean and sanitary. We will promote healthy habits and development by providing periods of rest and exercise. We ask you, as parents, to encourage your child’s thinking skills by reciting: numbers, colors, the alphabet, nursery rhymes, and puzzles. Manipulative and building blocks also enhance these skills. You may also stimulate your child’s thinking by creating an environment surrounded with bright colors, various textures and interesting sounds and smells. Finally, talk to your children often using complete sentences, read to them on a daily basis and encourage writing through modeling and experimentation. It is important to note that we are not teaching but stimulating your child’s senses through physical, emotional and intellectual development. Show your children an abundance of love, concern, and care by cuddling, hugging, kissing, and holding them many times throughout the day. Ensure your children have opportunities to run, stretch, skip and jump. Feed your child healthy foods, fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, fish, chicken, whole grains and cereals. And just as important, it is crucial you take care of yourself! Monitor your stress and have yearly checkups on your general health. Remember your state of mind affects your child’s development. Finally, we must bridge the gap of communication between parents and caregivers.

We can achieve this through:

>>Parent involvement in the center or office
>>Home visits and parent teacher conferences
>>Daily written or verbal communication on the child’s day between parents and staff.

Health Services Both Early Head Start and Head Start emphasizes the importance to early identification of health problems. We provide every child with a comprehensive health care program, including medical, dental, mental health and nutritional services.

Medical and Dental Services All children will receive an examination, including vision, hearing tests and dental exams provided by K’ima:w Medical Center. A referral for follow up will be provided for any problems that may have been identified during the examination. We also ask that all immunization are kept up to date and completed by the parent or guardian of the child who is enrolled. Transportation can be provided for children and families to and from appointments if arrangements are made according to transportation policy.

Mental Health Services The Early Head Start and Head Start program provides mental and psychological health services to children from low-income families in order to encourage their emotional and social development. A professional person is available to provide training to staff and parents to make them aware of the need for early intervention of special problems a child may have.

Safety The Early Head Start and Head Start program have policies and procedures in place to provide every child with a healthy and safe environment. Safety policies include; sick child exclusion policy, health emergencies, infection/disease control, transportation policy, daily health checks and first aid for all staff.

Nutrition To gain maximum benefits from the Hoopa Tribal Early Start/Head Start Program, children must bring healthy bodies and minds sustained by nutritious foods to the learning process. The nutrition component aims to help build good food habits by teaching fundamentals of good nutrition to children, parents and staff. Nutrition deals with eating habits and the processes by which food is used by the body. Good nutrition is very important to all of us, but it is especially important for our young children in order for them to have healthy bodies and minds. The Hoopa Tribal Early Head Start/Head Start received funding for food services from the USDA. The amount of money we receive depends on your child’s attendance at the center. We receive a certain amount for each meal that is served to your child. Below is a list of the goals we have for a well-run nutritious program.

1. Provided needed nutrients through well-planned foods. Provide a variety of foods and eating experiences. Provide nutrition activities for those enrolled in the Home Based Program.

2. Provide opportunities for children to participate in menu planning, and whenever possible, in simple food preparation and selection.

 

Who is Eligible?

Families with children ages birth to five and pregnant woman who meet Early Head Start & Head Start income/criteria guildlines. Children who have documented special needs and/or disabilities are also eligible for our program regardless of income.

How is my Application Processed?

Once we receive your enrollment packet and income verification your information is then recorded in our computer system. Our computer runs on a program called HSFIS, which means Head Start Family Information System. This system compiles your income verification and places you on a list based on a priority status until a slot opens up in our program. When a slot becomes open, the program will then ask the computer for a family who is next on the list based on their need/priority.

What happens when a slot opens up for my family?

When a slot is open, you will receive a letter from our program letting you know that your family is next in line to enroll into our program.

Enrollment Information

Early Head Start is a year round program. Applications are accepted throughout the whole program year. Head Start is full day year round, part day AM & PM, 5 days per week, 9 months per year.

Listed below are a few items you need to bring that will help get your child’s enrollment complete and ready to be approved, or put on the waiting list by Policy Council

Birth Certificate
Physical Exam
Immunization Record
TB shot verification
Child degree of Indian Blood
Social Security Number
Health Insurance Company and Number
Income Verification

What are the “cut off” dates for my child to be enrolled?

In Early Head Start your child is able to stay in the program until they have celebrated their 3rd birthday. After their 3rd birthday, children will be referred to other program options.

In Head Start children need to be 3 years of age by December 1st. Your child may attend 2 years, ending when your child is transitioned into Kindergarten.

Early Head Start Home Based Program

Families receive Early Head Start services in the comfort of their own home. Once a week a home visitor will come into the home for a minimum of 1 ½ hours and work with the parent and child on activities that will help stimulate their knowledge and development. Early Head Start is affiliated with the Parents as Teachers Program and will use their curriculum in this setting since it is based on the same model as Early Head Start.

What can I expect from a home visit?

Your home visitor will work with you and your child on a number of activities involving child and family development. Because parents are the child’s primary teacher, most of our activities will revolve around the home using everyday household materials. Activities include but are not limited to: nutrition activities, art projects, videos, field trips, pamphlets, setting long and short term goals, and planning for the next home visit.

Please be prepared for the home visit by:

Having your child dressed
Being prepared for your home visitor
Encouraging your child and other family members to participate
Asking other non-family members to come back later

Parent Involvement

There are many ways in which you can be involved in your child’s education. Listed below are just a few ideas in which you can participate in the Early Head Start-Head Start Family!

Volunteer
Training
Policy Council
Home Visits
Parent Observations
Field Trips
P/T Conferences
Parent Meetings
Parent Socials
Substitute Program
Fundraising
Participate in Child’s class

According to the program’s performance standards of 1304.40, it states that:

1. In addition to involving parents in program policy-making and operations, grantee and delegate agencies must provide involvement and education activities that are responsive to the ongoing and expressed needs of the parents, both as individuals and as members of a group. Other community agencies should be encouraged to assist in the planning and implementing of such programs.

2. Early Head Start and Head Start settings must be open to parents during all program hours. Parents must be welcomed as visitors and encouraged to observe children as often as possible and participate with children in group activities. The participation of parents in any program activity must be voluntary, and must not be required as a condition of the child’s enrollment.

3. Grantee and delegate agencies must provide parents with opportunities to participate in the programs as employees or volunteers.

4. Grantee and delegate agencies must provide opportunities to include parents in the development of the program’s curriculum and approach to a child’s development and education.

What does this all mean for me?

It means that we as a prenatal to five program are always striving for your involvement in whatever we do. This is your program and it is specifically designed for you and your family to help you on your way to self-sufficiency.

What are My Rights & Responsibilities as an Early Head Start-Head Start Parent?

Your rights & responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Your right as a parent includes:
Your to have all information given confidential.
Attending Policy Council and other meetings.
Electing a parent to represent you at Policy Council.
Making suggestions/opinions regarding the program.
Receiving information and assistance in obtaining services.
Taking part in monthly trainings offered by our program.
Writing the program manager or director if you are dissatisfied with anything.
Contributing to the monthly newsletter for center or home based option.

Home Based Responsibilities (Early Head Start)
To be home when a Home Visitor is scheduled.
To call when you know you won’t be able to make a visit.
To know that you are the first teacher in your child’s life.
To help plan the activity for the next home visit.
To record weekly In-Kind activities with your child.
To attend and participate in parent meetings/socialization.
That medical, dental and visual exams are completed within 45 days enrollment.

Center Based Responsibilities
All information concerning your child and family is confidential.
We have an open door policy which means you are welcome to come in at any time to observe or volunteer in your child’s class.
We welcome all comments or suggestions you might have
Help with lesson plans.
Notify the center if your child will not be attending H.S. for more than 3 days.

 

Click Here to get you Application Today
(2.74 MB)