I have decided to share Head Start’s website http://www.nhsa.org. The National Head Start Association is an independent membership organization that advocates on behalf of the entire “Head Start community and provides training and resources to Head Start programs nationwide” (National Head Start Association, 2012). The website also provides current news on Head Start programs around the country, a newsletter, a blog among others. Currently, the organization is requesting its members send thank you messages to Congress for increasing funding for Head Start in 2012. I read some letters to the editor in response to health and safety violations in reported in 24 Head Start programs. The organization is offering professional development trainings From January 23rd-26th in Washington. The latest family connection newsletter discusses the ways low-income families can have their taxes done free through VITA, avoid tax frauds such as loans. The newsletter also discusses the different types of deductions families might be eligible.
This week, I got the chance to read some of the research about Head Start and its effectiveness in serving low-income children and their families. Here are some facts that I wanted to share.
Basic Head Start Facts by the National Head Start Association, (n.d.): This article provides a thorough overview of the program, its demographic, and some of its success in providing comprehensive services for the families served. According to the authors:
1. Head Start provides a range of comprehensive education, health, nutrition, parent involvement, and family support services and has primarily served at-risk children and their families since 1965.
2. Head Start actually consists of two programs: Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS). HS is a comprehensive early childhood development program primarily serving at-risk preschool-age children and their families.
3. The federal government provides 80 percent of the yearly cost to operate HS and EHS programs, and the remaining 20 percent must come from “local match” or “in-kind” contributions, which may be in the form of monetary contributions, donations of goods or services, or volunteer hours.
4. According to Race: White (40%, Black or African American 29%, Bi-Racial or Multi-Racial 8%, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 6%, Unspecified Race 6%, Other 11%)
5. According to Ethnicity: (Hispanic or Latino Origin 36%, Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino Origin 64%)
6. The Average Teacher Salaries: ($22,300 with a CDA, $26,000 with an Associate Degree, $29,300 with a Baccalaureate Degree (Average Kindergarten Teacher Salary is $48,874)
The Myth of the Fade-Out Effect by the National Head Start Association, (n.d.): This article is in response to the fade-out effect myth which was posited by the findings of a 40-year-old study of HS conducted by the Westinghouse Learning Corporation and Ohio University in 1969. According to the article, that study was flawed. In fact, this article tells us reliable studies demonstrate that HS children experience:
1. Increased achievement in test scores
2. HS children experience favorable long-term effects with decreased grade repetition and reduced need for special education in elementary and secondary schools.
3. HS reduced the mortality rates for 5- to 9-year-old children that are 33 to 50 percent lower than for comparable children who were not enrolled in HS.
4. These rates were reduced to the national average of mortality rates for all 5- to 9-year-old children.
5. HS benefits its children and society-at-large by reducing crime and its costs to crime victims.
6. HS children are significantly less likely to have been charged with a crime than their siblings who did not participate in HS.
This week, I read many articles that highlight the need to provide comprehensive services for children and their families in an effort to make substantial impacts on their lives. As I go over the Heads Start program, the research, the newsletter, and blog, I am finding myself amazed by all the services Head Start Provides. I saw evidence of services that address health, academic and safety issues. I also love the personal stories on the blog that strengthens my conviction that Head Start does make a difference in children’s lives. At the end of the day, I am glad I choose this opportunity to better understand the program.
References
National Head Start Association. (2012). National Head Start Association. Retrieved from http://www.nhsa.org
National Head Start Association. (n.d). Myth of the Fade-Out Effect. Retrieved from http://www.nhsa.org/files/static_page_files/39A3801A-1D09-3519-ADC6BAF6529D3D65/MythoftheFadeoutEffect.pdf
National Head Start Association. (n.d.). Basic Head Start Facts. Retrieved from http://www.nhsa.org/files/static_page_files/48BADE30-1D09-3519-ADED347C39FA16A4/Basic_Head_Start_Facts_rev02212011.pdf
National Head Start Association. (n.d.). Early Head Start: An Evidence-Based Home Visitation Approach. Retrieved from http://www.nhsa.org/files/static_page_files/399CCE2C-1D09-3519-AD534985E249B084/HomeVisitationOnePager.pdf
I am excited that you addressed Head Start as an origanization of infuence. I have not been able to learn a great deal about new initiatives with Head Start, your post provided a great overview of the organization.
ReplyDeleteHi Nar, I am SO GLAD that you connected with Head Start. I been with Head Start for almost 20 years. At the present, I am a Head Start Director. With Head Start begin around for over 40 years, it is really sad that much of the public is still unaware of the comprehensive services that are provided by Head Starts all over the United States. So glad you selected to review this organization. Here is another link for you, as well: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc. This is the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center. It is serviced by the Office of Head Start in Washington, DC. Head Start falls under the department of Administration of Children and Families, which is under the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Any question that you may have regarding Head Start can be answered on this site.
ReplyDeleteAwesome,
ReplyDeleteYou will definitely be one of my professional contacts. By the way, where can I find the performance standards? Thank you so much for sharing this website and send any other information you think I might need.