CADC Head Start is a premier early childhood education program, preparing children to become educated and productive citizens. The program is now enrolling for the 2010-2011 school year.

CADC Head Start works.  In the 2008-2009 school year, the program served 532 three & four year old children and their families. Since its development in 1966, CADC Head Start has given thousands of central Arkansas’s low-income children the opportunity to succeed in school and later in life.  Research shows Head Start cut the achievement gap nearly in half for pre-reading skills between Head Start children and the national average for all 3- and 4- year olds.

CADC Head Start’s comprehensive services include school readiness and cognitive development services, frequent medical screenings, immunizations and dental services, healthy nutritional assistance, referral services for a range of individual child and family needs and an opportunity for parents to participate in school decision making.

Highlights of the program include:

• 593 Head Start families served
• 53% of those families were headed by single parents
• 80% of those families were employed
• 565 families participated in a goal setting process resulting in individualized family partnership agreement
• 595 children received physical exams; 585 children received a dental exam.
• 665 families received parenting education, health education or marriage education
• CADC connected 285 families to much needed services, including emergency and crisis assistance, housing, transportation, mental health, ESL or adult education
• 1838 persons provided volunteer service in the CADC Head Start program.  56% of those volunteers are current or former Head Start parents.

Shared governance is fundamental to Head Start program’s parent involvement and community participation. The CADC Head Start Policy Council includes parent and community leaders.  The policy councils are an asset to Head Start, providing direction to the program, developing policies, making budget decisions, and providing effective oversight of the program.

CADC Head Start is a free comprehensive child and family development program for low-income families. The main focus is to increase the school readiness of young children. It is designed to help parents and caregivers be empowered to self sufficiency. Children enrolled have access to educational resources, as well as health and dental services, nutritional services, and social services.

CADC is a private nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the “War on Poverty.” The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information, please contact Sandra Holiman at 501-332-5426 or your local Head Start.