Services include education, health, nutrition and parent involvement.

• The educational curriculum is designed to foster a childrens' physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development in accordance with their own stage of development.
  
• The primary focus of health programming is on early intervention to prevent health problems. Every child receives medical, dental, mental health and nutritional services. Services are also available for children with disabilities.
  
• Parental involvement is strongly encouraged in Head Start, because we recognize that parents are childrens' first teacher and the greatest influence in their lives.

Education:

The Education Team is comprised of a Director, Education Coordinators, Head Start Supervisors, Teachers and Teachers Assistants and Home Visitors. 

The High/Scope curriculum is utilized, which is based on the belief that children learn best through active experiences with people, materials, events and ideas, rather that direct instruction. The High/Scope approach maximizes children's learning by increasing their chances of engaging in "key experiences". High Scope has identified 58 key experiences in child development which have been grouped into 10 categories: creative representation, language and literacy, initiative and social relations, movement, music, classification, seriation, number, space and time. These key experiences foster learning, creativity, independence, decision-making and problem solving skills.

Teachers provide a rich range of experiences for children that are appropriate to each child's level of learning. Culturally diverse educational materials have been incorporated into the curriculum and developmental services.

Health (Nutrition):

The Nutrition Team consists of a Program Manager, Assistant Nutritionist, Cooks, Food Services Assistants, and a WIC Dietician. All are highly trained in nutrition education and food services experience. At parent orientation, nutrition staff obtain information from parents about each child's dietary history, food habits and health problems related to nutrition. The Nutrition Team also provides each Head Start parent with information about healthy eating, food groups and maintaining an appropriate weight. Children receive a well balanced, nutritional breakfast and lunch at the Head Start Center. Meals are designed to provide 2/3 of the daily nutritional requirements.

Health (Medical/Dental):

The Health Team includes a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Disabilities Coordinator, and a Disability Resource Specialist. The Health Team works closely with parents to encourage early intervention and preventive health care. All Head Start children receive the following screenings: physical examination, required immunizations, vision, dental, hearing, speech and language development within 45 days of enrollment.

Health (Disabilities/Mental Health):

The Head Start Program promotes inclusive enrollment and accommodates children with special needs. The Disabilities Team makes appropriate referrals on behalf of children with suspected or diagnosed physical, developmental or mental health disabilities. Ten percent (10%) of the total enrolled children have suspected or diagnosed disabilities. The Disabilities Team, in conjunction with service providers, utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to serve young children with special needs and their families.

Social Workers complete an individual needs assessment and assist families in developing short and long-term goals. Social Workers provide information and referrals to other community resources, case management and follow-up.

Family & Community Partnerships

The Family & Community Partnerships Service Area includes family support and parent involvement. The Family & Community Partnerships Team is comprised of a Family & Community Services Coordinator, Community Services Coordinators, Social Workers and Case Workers. The Family Support Team provides an integrated and coordinated function with all other service areas.

Social Workers conduct a family needs assessment and work closely to develop an individual family plan, with short and long-term goals. Based on the family's individual needs, social workers provide information and referrals to other community resources. For more information e-mail Almellia Brown, Family & Community Partnership Supervisor.

Parent Involvement

Head Start is a community-based, family-focused program that empowers families to achieve self-sufficiency, fosters parent/child bonding and unifies communities. Training is provided for parents on many topics such as child development, health, safety, nutrition, and community resources. Head Start provides parents and staff opportunities to obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) and pursue careers in early childhood education.

Parents have many opportunities to serve as volunteers and community partners in the Head Start Program including: classroom and field trip support, leadership development, staff recruitment, Center Parent Committees, Advisory Committees, Citizen's Advisory Committees and Policy Council.

The Orange County Head Start Program's grantee, Orange County Board of County Commissioners, shares governance with the Head Start Policy Council.

The Head Start Program, under the auspices of the Health and Family Services Department, is administered through the leadership of the Head Start Director: Dr. Cathleen Armstead. The Leadership Team is comprised senior management staff and administrative support staff, facilities, planning and monitoring, transportation.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners is the grantee for the Head Start Program. Orange County Head Start is administered by County government, under the umbrella of the Health & Family Services Department. The Department serves as a resource for County support funds, personnel, equipment and accessibility to other Department programs and services for Head Start children and families.

The Head Start Program utilizes a Center-Based management style, which relies heavily on the sound decision-making skills of the Center Manager. This management style eliminates unnecessary bureaucracy, reduces span of control from upper management levels and expedites service delivery for children and their families.

Orange County Board of County Commissioners, the Head Start grantee, shares governance with the Community Action Board and the Head Start Policy Council. Parents have opportunities to participate in all aspects of program planning, implementation and evaluation. The Head Start Policy Council consists of Head Start Parents, representatives from Head Start Centers and community representatives. The Policy Council and Policy Council Committees meets monthly. The Council and Board convene at an annual retreat and participate in subsequent trainings throughout the year. They also host an annual volunteer Awards Dinner to recognize outstanding volunteers.