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Indiana County Head Start, Inc.
Indiana County Head Start, Inc.
Organizational Information
Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization
Indiana County Head Start, Inc. strives to provide a supportive and nurturing environment in which children and their families feel valued and heard while being connected with the services and education necessary to become empowered self-sufficient members of the community. The vision of Indiana County Head Start, Inc. is to continuously evolve to meet the educational, emotional and life skill needs of the children and families in which we serve. Indiana County Head Start is a free pre-school program that promotes the school readiness of low-income children from prenatal to age five by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in learning environments that support children’s growth in language, literacy, math, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning. Head Start recognizes the importance of family-focused early intervention and strives to build upon the strengths of each family.
History of Organization
Indiana County Head Start opened their doors meeting the needs of low income families of Indiana County in 1972. Today, Indiana County Head Start continues to have a strong presence in the community. We collaborate with agencies to network, to cross-refer, to share expertise and to effectively use resources. The partnerships between our staff, families, and community agencies build positive relationships. These relationships support parents’ progress toward their goals for themselves and their children. As we determine the needs of our Head Start families, we are able to connect them to resources in the community. Our community partners are available to work with families on such goals as parents’ educational advancement, economic mobility, and other aspects of family well-being. Community engagement promotes positive, enduring change for children, families, and communities in accordance with the Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework. Among the many county agencies with which we collaborate are: IC Children & Youth Services, IC Community Guidance Center; ARIN IU 28, WIC; Salvation Army, Drug & Alcohol Commission, IC CARE Center, Family Promise (Homelessness), Community Action Program, Indiana Regional Medical Center & other health care providers, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, IC technology Center, and Justice Works. Head Start Staff serves as members of the following community groups: a. Children’s Advisory Commission b. Early Care and Education Committee c. Local Interagency Coordinating Council d. Safe Kids Coalition e. Health and Human Services Subcommittee Finally we actively participate in a wide variety of community events that offer a positive experience for children and families. o Back to School Bash (August) o Seasonal Parades o Indiana County “Day of Play” (Fall) o Indiana County “Family Fun Fest” (Spring) o Brush Valley Days o Northern Appalachian Folk Festival o Salvation Army Treasures for Children Sign-Up and distribution of gifts o Sheetz Family Christmas events
Legal Structure
Non-profit corporation
Funding Sources
The federal government funds Head Start programs through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Indiana County Head Start, Inc. must qualify to become a Head Start recipient and receive federal funding. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning administers the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. This program provides state funds to supplement federal allocations to expand high quality pre-kindergarten Head Start services for eligible children.
Contact Information
Key Leader(s)
Contact Person(s)
Contact Number(s)
724.349.6200
877.346.3023 - Toll-free
Web Addresses
www.indianacountyheadstart.org
Primary Address
Additional Addresses
Service Information
Service Area
Indiana County Pennsylvania
Service Description
Early Head Start - home visiting program for pregnant women and their children, birth to 3 years of age.
Extended day/part year programming for children 3-5 years of age.
Part day/part year programming for children 3-5 years of age; priority to children 4 years of age.
One 3 week summer session for 4.5 hours per day.
Keywords
free pre-school, pre school, early childhood education, pre-school education, early childhood development, early learning, infant development, parent child relationship, prenatal, infant care, infant behavior, neonatal, infant, head start, early head sta
Available Hours
Office - Intake: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Monday through Friday; During the school year or 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. during the summer. Pre-School Classes - Sites: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Monday through Friday, September - May (may vary per class, site or program)
Fees/Cost for Services
Free for qualifying low income families.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, family incomes must be at or below the federal poverty level and children must be three or four years old based on dates determined by the local school district for Indiana County Head Start, Inc. However, Head Start and Early Head Start may enroll some children from families whose incomes are higher than the federal poverty level if they meet other eligibility requirements. Families who receive SNAP, public assistance (TANF or SSI), and those with children in foster care or children who are homeless, also qualify regardless of income.
How to Access Services or Schedule Appointments
To register, call 724-349-6200 and ask for Shelley.
Miscellaneous Information
Handicap Accessibility
Yes
Languages Spoken or Available
English
Speaker Available
Yes
Volunteer Use
Yes
Volunteer Need
Yes
Volunteer Description
Volunteers are important in helping Head Start meet the needs of children. Parents may volunteer to read stories, sing songs, wipe noses and tears, play house, build with blocks, serve food, and supervise outdoor play. Indiana County Head Start, Inc., in compliance with the PA Child Protective Services Law, now requires volunteers over the age of 18 to obtain clearances prior to volunteering. There is no cost for these clearances and our staff will help you to apply for them. Please know that we value your input and could not do without your support. Your child(ren) would love to have you visit and/or volunteer in their classroom! If a volunteer has been a resident of PA continuously for the past 10 years s/he must obtain every five years at no cost to the volunteer: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check: https://epatch.pa.gov/home Child Abuse History Clearance through the Department of Human Services: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS Signed disclaimer affirming no charges in other states that would prohibit selection as a volunteer If the volunteer has NOT been a resident of PA continuously for the past 10 years, s/he must also obtain FBI Criminal Background Check (fingerprint check) in addition to above mentioned clearances. There is a cost for the fingerprint clearance: https://uenroll.identogo.com/ Copies of all volunteer clearances and signed disclaimer must be maintained by Indiana County Head Start in a central file. All volunteers must have the approval of a Manager and must be supervised by Head Start staff at all times. Volunteers will not be left alone with any child unless they are the biological parent or legal guardian of the child. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the administrative office at 724-349-6200.