Our Staff
They call it the Head Start Advantage. Study after study shows children who attended Head Start programs perform better later on in elementary and high school and have a better chance for success in their lives than children who don’t attend. It’s that simple.
Head Start is a proven formula—51 years and 32 million children educated and counting! But it’s not only the federal funding and state augmentations that make it work. It’s the partnership and collaboration among all involved stakeholders, how well Head Start staff are trained and the quality of our teachers—and finally—and perhaps most importantly—it’s our Head Start families.
It cannot be stated more strongly than this: Family engagement at all levels of the Head Start program is vital to the positive outcomes that have been so well documented, as it:
- Determines how well children benefit from Head Start Services.
- Helps families meet their own goals, including economic independence.
- Keeps our regional and state associations proficient.
- Ensures the Head Start story is told to lawmakers everywhere who approve annual funding.
I believe in our mission so much that for the last 16 years I have worked for Head Start associations exclusively—with 28 years’ service in early childhood education.
Looking back over this time—and even back to Head Start’s founding during the Great Society movement—it’s possible to state that never has Head Start been more important for this year or that decade. Yet, now, as we approach the third decade of the 21st Century, gale force headwinds face disadvantaged children and families. Head Start is a life raft. And it needs all hands committed to its existence.
Engagement in Region 9 Head Start Association events and activities does make a difference. To be innovative in their service delivery, Head Start programs need a wide variety of resources from throughout the community—and all of those involved benefit from the community network that is thereby created. Mutual support strengthens everything—especially our goal to reach every vulnerable child.
That’s why your participation is highly valued and appreciated. If you would like more information on how to engage in the Region 9 Head Start Association, please contact us at econdon@region9hsa.org and falvarenga@region9hsa.org.
