WHAT IS HEAD START?

The month of October has been set aside as Head Start Awareness month. Project Head Start, a federally funded comprehensive child development program for children of low-income families were signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the summer of 1965. Initially a demonstration project, Head Start has amazed this nation and dramatized its short and long -term effects by reaching families and touching and involving communities.

Head Start is still serving children and families after 58 years. The Head Starts in Tishomingo County are grantees of Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. M.A.P., Inc. presently serves 33 counties. We now have 3 centers in our County: Burnsville, Belmont, and Tishomingo Blended Services. Our Central office is located in Jackson, Ms. Where Mr. Bobby E. Brown is our executive director.

We are part of the Northern district with Mrs. Angela Cherry as director and Mrs. Deborah Cooper as assistant director.

Children are registered at the centers and accepted for enrollment in Jackson, Ms. Although the program is geared toward low-income families, the centers can sometimes have 10% of their enrollment that are over income guidelines. There are criteria for each child to receive points for enrollment.

Students of the Head Start center receive 2 meals and an afternoon snack each day. Menus are prepared by the Agency and approved by USDA and Mississippi State Department of Health. Teachers are qualified with BS and AA degrees and ongoing training. Our children are taught from a Curriculum appropriate for 3- and 4-year-olds geared toward School Readiness. They receive Speech and hearing screening as well as Mental Health observations. Parent Involvement is important to the Head Start program. Monthly meetings are held as well as other activities. Parents are urged to attend and also to volunteer in the center.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HEADSTART!

If you would like to know more about us you may contact:

Burnsville@662-427-8883, located@ 24 Washington ST. in Burnsville. We presently serve 53 children.

Belmont@662-454-7346, located@ 1664 Washington St, Belmont. We currently serve 55 children.

Tishomingo Blended serves 20 children and is located in The Tishomingo Elementary School@ 34A Monroe St., Tishomingo.

Recruitment is ongoing so if you have an eligible child or know one, please contact one of our centers.

Activities will be held by all centers of the Agency throughout the month of October.