Head Start

Head Start is a US Department of Health and Human Services program for early childhood education, health, and nutrition for children from low income families. The program promotes school readiness for children ages 0-5.

Early Learning: Children’s readiness for school and beyond is fostered through individualized learning experiences. Through relationships with adults, play, and planned and spontaneous instruction, children grow in many aspects of development. Children progress in social skills and emotional well-being, along with language and literacy learning, and concept development

Health: Each child’s perceptual, motor, and physical development is supported to permit them to fully explore and function in their environment. All children receive health and development screenings, nutritious meals, oral health and mental health support. Programs connect families with medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure that children are receiving the services they need.

Family Well-Being: Parents and families are supported in achieving their own goals, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial security. Programs support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development.

Family Care Pack Program
The Family Care Pack is provided by our ARVAC Food Bank to provide our children with individual snacks for home, plus easy kid friendly meals parents can fix easily and quickly. Each delivery will contain 10-12 items for families enrolled in our Early Head Start and Head Start centers. All families are eligible to participate, and will receive a box that has been prepared and delivered to each center in the counties listed on the designated day each month.

Participants should check with their specific center to find out the date and time of pick up each month, as these details may vary based on location, holidays, etc. Items vary, but the boxes will contain a variety of canned meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts/nut butter, pastas, sauces, and beans, as well as shelf stable milk when available. These items are intended to supplement the meals being prepared in the home, in order to help parents/caregivers provide healthy, balanced meals to their children. Just one more way ARVAC is working to help our children and families in our communities.

Forms

Application for Participation (Online)

Application for Participation 2023-2024 (PDF)

Locations