Head Start programs in Ohio are going beyond the A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s to give young children the best possible start in life as well as in their schooling.
October is Head Start Awareness Month and for decades, many Community Action Agencies in Ohio have been running Head Start programs.
At Northwestern Ohio Community Action, Head Start director Janet Yaros says they assist children and families both inside and outside the classroom.
October is Head Start Awareness Month and for decades, many Community Action Agencies in Ohio have been running Head Start programs.
At Northwestern Ohio Community Action, Head Start director Janet Yaros says they assist children and families both inside and outside the classroom.
As Head Start director with Clinton County Community Action, Carol Erdman says the program builds a strong foundation for a child's education.
She adds they can also help identify children who may have special needs and would benefit from early intervention.
She adds they can also help identify children who may have special needs and would benefit from early intervention.
Assistant Head Start director with Akron Summit Community Action, Jessica Hurst, says parents play an important role by continuing the learning at home.
She says they offer a variety of options to accommodate families' needs.
She says they offer a variety of options to accommodate families' needs.
According to the National Head Start Association, children in the program are significantly more likely to complete high school and attend college than their siblings who did not attend.
That's why Erdman and others say it’s critical to keep Head Start programs strong.
That's why Erdman and others say it’s critical to keep Head Start programs strong.
Head Start is a federally funded program for low-income children from birth to age five that began in 1965.
In Ohio, more than 47-thousand children were enrolled in 2011.
In Ohio, more than 47-thousand children were enrolled in 2011.
About 70 percent of Head Start programs are run by Community Action Agencies.
