Meade County Head Start

Central Kentucky Head Start is federally-funded preschool program for low-income children and their families. The program is administered by Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc. serving a six county area. The counties are Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington. The Head Start Central Office is located in Lebanon.

The Head Start program operates a full-day, full year program in the service area. The program is funded to serve 543 Head Start families through center-based programming, depending upon the circumstances of the family and other criteria.

Children who attend the Head Start program participate in a variety of activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. They also receive the following: medical and dental care, healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Daily learning activities are planned and carried out by a qualified teaching staff who emphasize each child’s individual development in the areas of language development, literacy (pre-reading skills), math, science, creative arts, and social and emotional development.

Head Start’s mission is to provide quality comprehensive services to income eligible preschool children to enhance their readiness for school. Family involvement in education, self-sufficiency and parent education is also emphasized.

Recognizing that parents are the primary educators of their children, the program will provide opportunities to enhance their growth and well being by serving as a vehicle to promote self-sufficiency through collaboration with community resources.

The program is designed to maximize the strengths and unique experiences of each child. The family, which is perceived as the principal influence on the child’s development, is encouraged to be a direct participant in the program.

The three major content areas are: Program Design & Management involving Governance of Program Operations; Early childhood Development & Health involving Education, Health/Dental/Mental Health, Special and Disability Services, and Family and Community Partnerships involving Family/Social Service, Parent Involvement and Transportation.

Additional Information: STARS Rating: 3;