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 Ongoing Goals
- To increase the awareness of drug abuse throughtout the community as well as continuing to provide supports for families and children.
- To bridge Head Start families to community groups through advocacy and empowerment.
- To continue improving math and literacy skills in the classroom.
- To continue secondary education and staff professional development with emphasis on credentials for teaching staff and family vevelopment assistants meeting requirements of Performance Standards.
- To improve and strengthen appropriate and timely follow-up on referrals and communication.
- To continue working with local dentists and the UK Center for Rural Health to improve awareness and care of teeth.
- To increase community awareness of Head Start's positive influence using communication tactics; including the present and future economic impact.
- To improve quality, maintenance and safety of program vehicles.
- To strive for effective communication between the central office and the center staff.
- To strenghten and broaden services to grandparents rering grandchildren.
LKLP Head Start Program Goals 2010-2011
- To provide more assistance to incarecerated family members.
- To enhance services to homeless children and families with special needs.
- To provide parenting training/classes to staff and parent groups by implementing the Incredible Years.
- To continue efforts on improving literacy and numberacy skills in conjuntion with public schools.
- To increase the awareness and the effects of childhood obestiy.
- To improve overall attendance of children and staff; striving to maintain at least 90% attendance in the Head Start/Early Head Start Program.
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 2011 - 2012
August 15, 16, 17 Parent/Child Transition
August 18 First Full Day of School
September 5 Labor Day Holiday
November 24, 25 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 16 Last day before Christmas Holiday
January 3 Return to School
January 16 Martin Luther King Holiday
May 28 Memorial Day
July 2-6 HOLIDAY
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We will also have several In-Service/Work Days on which there will be no school - your child's teacher will notify you when these days are. If during the winter and spring months public schools are canceled due to snow or flooding, the buses will not run. To accomomodate parents who work or are in school, arrangements can be made for the center to be open if the parent provides transportation. Listen to your local radio station for the closing announcements.