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Head Start Program Information

Important Note Regarding Alexandria Head Start

To: Campagna Center Supporters
From: Karen Hughes, Campagna Center President & CEO

June 9, 2009

The Campagna Center and the City of Alexandria are pleased to report exciting news regarding the Alexandria Head Start program. As many of you know, funding for the Head Start program flows from the federal government to the City of Alexandria, and then to The Campagna Center. As the delegate agency for the program, The Campagna Center manages the day-to-day operations of the program, and The Campagna Center’s Board of Directors governs the program. The City of Alexandria is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the delegate agency (The Campagna Center), and for reporting back to the federal government. In the past, this oversight—which includes financial and programmatic monitoring of Head Start—has been handled by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Beginning with the 2009 – 2010 school year, the City of Alexandria/ACPS and DHS will share this responsibility. DHS will oversee and monitor all financial responsibilities, and ACPS will oversee and monitor the programmatic responsibilities. Nearly all of the Head Start classrooms are located in ACPS school buildings, so this shift makes great sense logistically.

Please note that this does NOT mean that ACPS is “taking over” the Head Start program, as has been incorrectly reported in some media outlets. This strengthened relationship between The Campagna Center and ACPS is very positive for the Head Start program and stands to benefit all involved.

 If you have any questions regarding this transition, please feel free to contact Karen Hughes at (703) 224-2345 or khughes@campagnacenter.org

NAEYC Accredited

Head Start promotes school readiness for 270 preschool children from low income families living in the city of Alexandria, through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services.

Services

Alexandria Head Start provides direct services to enrolled children and families and serves as a referral source to agencies throughout the community. Alexandria Head Start services include:

  • Education: Alexandria Head Start offers an early childhood education program that follows developmentally appropriate guidelines as required by the National Association of The Education of Young Children.  Our curriculum is planned according to the needs of the individual child through observation and family input. We work in partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools and Child Find to include Children with special needs.
  • Health/Nutrition: Children and families receive ongoing health and nutrition services and referrals, including hearing, vision and developmental screenings as well as nutritional assessments.
  • Family Services: Each family will partner with a Family Service Specialist who will work with them to establish family partnership goals designed to improve and empower the quality of their lives.
  • Parent Involvement- Recognizing parents as the most important teacher in their children’s lives, we encourage involvement in all aspects of the Head Start experience. Parents are encouraged to serve on Policy Council, work as program volunteers and if qualified, as  paid staff, substitute teachers, and participate in the Men About Head Start program.