Serving: Knott and Letcher Counties
Early Head Start provides services for children ages 0-3 years old, as well as pregnant women.
Our children are primarily served in center based programming, but we also provide home-based services based upon the family's needs and preferences.
Our centers have up to 8 children per room with two caregivers/teachers per room. Each caregiver/teacher serves as the primary caregiver for 4 children. This 1 to 4 ratio assures children will form trusting, secure relationships with their caregiver.
The children stay with the same caregiver and in the same room until they finish Early Head Start. This continuity helps children to form strong bonds and relationships with thier caregiver and to feel secure in their environment.
LKLP Head Start Program Goals 2008-2009
- To provide more assistance to grandparents rearing grandchildren
- To provide more assistance to incarcerated family members
- To increase the awareness of drug abuse throughout the community as well as continuing to provide supports for families and children
- To become more aware of recognizing symptoms and behaviors of children having drug dependency problems
- To assist pregnant women with prenatal care and provide child rearing training at local schools for teens
- To develop and implement a Risk Management Plan
- Continue to develop a community of learners that supports continuing education and staff professional development with emphasis on credentials for teachers and family service assistants
- To improve and strengthen appropriate and timely follow-up on referrals
- To continue efforts on improving Literacy and Numeracy skills
- To incorporate more physical activities into daily routines and provide resources and literature for families
- To continue incorporation of Youth Mentoring, in efforts to increase self-confidence and self-worth or preschool and elementary children
Early Head Start Health & Development
A healthy child is a strong child. Good health is a state of well-being that includes emotional and social wellness, as well as physical vigor.
We will work very closely with parents to see that their child's health needs are met. Our staff will provide a safe, nurturing environment.
We need parent's assistance in meeting the following requirements of our infant and toddler program:
- Well baby checks at ages 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 36 months.
- 1st Dental visit at the age of 2 is required, but American Pediatric Dentristy recommends a visit at age 1 or when the first tooth arrives.
- Immunization kept current: including varicella (chicken pox) vaccination at age 1.
Screenings to be done at the well-baby checks:
- Medical History and Physical Exam
- Growth and Development check
- Vision
- Hearing
- Nutritional Assessment
- Lab testing [Lead (9th & 24th mth), HCT (9th mth) Hematocrit or Hemoglobin]
It is the parent's responsibility to bring documentation of these requirements to the center.
Head Start staff does home visits and conferences with parents to exchange information about their child's development. Staff will also exchange information about a child's health, diet, naps and days events upon arrival and departure of each day.
Early Head Start Disability Services
First Steps is the state program responsible for providing services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk for developmental problems due to prematurity, difficulties with pregnancy and delivery, illness, etc.
Children with disabilities and health needs receive services at Early Head Start sites. First Steps assists the family in getting needed evaluations and services.
Everything is done according to the families' needs and wishes with an individual service plan developed for each child. Early Intervention will minimize the impact of disabilities.
Training will be provided for staff and families as needed. Special training is done for children with allergies or special diets and documentation by a physician on file in the center.
Early Head Start Pregnancy Services
Early Head Start assists pregnant women to access comprehensive prenatal care and postpartum care through referrals to community partners. We also make home visits/conferences to share information on:
- Fetal Development
- Labor and Delivery
- Postpartum Recovery
- Risks of Smoking, Drinking Alcohol, and Drug Use
- Benefits of breast feeding.
This includes a visit within two weeks of the baby's birth and a three-month postnatal visit. Staff will help the family to develop goals and strategies to attain their goals.
Early Head Start Parent Involvement
Head Start and Early Head Start recognize the parent as the prime educator and nurturer of their child. Parents are the program decision makers. We encourage each parent to attend parent support activities, parent meetings and other center activities. Parent's have the opportunity to participate in the center's daily activities with their child by:
- Reading a book.
- Helping with a meal.
- Playing with the children.
- Sharing, learning and having fun.
Early Head Start Partnerships
Early Head Start is a partnership between parents and caregivers whose primary goal is to benefit the child. Sharing our knowledge -- at drop-off and pick-up times, in notes, phone conversations and during conferences -- gives us a more complete picture of the child than either of us could have alone.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS
The family services area has the responsibility of working with families in goal setting through the family partnerships agreement process. It provides families with resource information and how to access community services. In Early Head Start the teacher is the person who serves as a link between the family, the programs and the community.
Early Head Start Calendar
Early Head Start is open year around with the exception of the holidays. Please refer to the calendar below for more information.
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School Calendar Year 2008 - 2009
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August
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25
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Parent/Child Transition
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26
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Parent/Child Transition
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27
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Parent/Child Transition
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28
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First Full Day of School
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September
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3
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Labor Day Holiday
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November
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22 - 23
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Thanksgiving Holiday
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December
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19
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Last Day Before Christmas Holiday
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January
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2
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Return to School
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19
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Martin Luther King's Birthday (Observed)
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May
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26
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Memorial Day
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School will be closed for three (3) days each spring for staff training. Your child's teacher will notify you in advance so you can make other arrangements.