EDUCATION SERVICES

Our program ensures that all children have access to a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment. The program environment, therefore, is arranged to accommodate a variety of children’s needs and strengths, and to stimulate learning across all domains of development: language, literacy, math, science, approaches to learning, physcial health & development, and social & emotional development. We use the reserach-based The Creative Curriculum in our center-based program and Partners for a Healthy Baby in our home-based program. 

HEALTH SERVICES
Our program provides a comprehensive health services program which includes ensuring access to needed medical, dental, mental health, disability and nutrition services. We promote preventive health services and early intervention for children and their families. We assist families in accessing a medical and dental home. The program reserves at least 10% of its funded slots to serve children with disabilities. 

NUTRITION SERVICES
We provide daily nutritious meals that meet USDA guidelines.  The specific nutritional needs of each child are met through the Registered Dietician's review of the child's Nutrition Assessment.  Home visits, classroom activities, and field trips include a wide variety of food related learning experiences for Head Start and Early Head Start children.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS
Our intent is to offer families ample opportunities to assess their strengths, resources, and needs.  It is then the duty of all staff to utilize this family-generated information to provide high level, individualized services to children and parents. The most valuable and lasting service the program can offer to parents is numerous and varied opportunities for continuing education and job-related training that will allow them to better their lives and that of their family’s.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
Our program has a positive behavior support system based on the methodology of the Center on the Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning.  Our program-wide expectations are I am Safe, I am a Team Player, I am Active and I am Respectful (S.T.A.R.). We contract with a Mental Health Consultant who provides on-site assistance, support and training. 

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The program seeks to involve parents on every level, from volunteering in the classroom to serving on the Policy Council.  Parents are encouraged to participate on local parent committees that make decisions about the center and classrooms.  Parents are also elected to serve on the Policy Council, which gives them an opportunity to have a voice in making decisions for the entire program.