Program Year 2008 - 2009
Program Funding
Federal Head Start Contract Amount. . . . . . . . . $937,681
Grant Allocation/Cost Categories: Personnel - $873,897, Supplies/Other Costs - $52,337, Training - $11,447
Local In-Kind Match . . . .$234,421 Federal Food Program . . . . $ 90,000
Local Contributors - Elizabethton Kiwanis Club . $ 1,700
Program funds are reviewed yearly by local, state and federal auditors. During Program Year 2008 - 2009, a fiscal review by the Grantee, Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency was completed as well as an in-depth audit by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. Both reviews resulted in "no findings" .
Head Start requires that each program receive a comprehensive review every three years to include an evaluation of program management, program operations and services as well as fiscal accountability. In November 2008, a federal triennal review was conducted. Carter County Head Start received a "no findings / no deficiences" report.
Enrollment
Funded Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Number of Children Served / Number of Families . . . 168 / 165
Percent Income Eligible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93%
Average Monthly Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.35%
Children's Services
Head Start services are provided in eight Classrooms located at seven elementary schools: Central, Cloudland, Hampton (w/2classes), Happy Valley, Hunter, Keenburg, and Valley Forge.
All centers utilize Creative Curriculum, an early childhood program that emphasizes a "child-focused" learning environment tied specifically to Head Start Child Outcomes. Based on the LAP-D assessment administered at program start, an individualized plan is developed for each child.
Child Outcomes Report - Program-wide results, measured by the Learning Accomplishment Profile Diagnostic Assessement instrument (LAP-D), showed substantial gains were achieved in each of the eight Head Start learning domains: language, 14% increase; literacy, 19% increase; math, 22% increase; science, 35% increase; creative arts, 20% increase; social/emotional development, 19% increase; approches to learning, 37% increase; and physical health and development, 13% increase.
Transition Activities - Beginning with a focused phase-in at program start and continuing with an individualized learning plan, each child is prepared for a successful transition to kindergarten. At program end, parents along with Head Start staff, meet with kindergarten teachers to discuss the child's current status and to identify areas for summer emphasis. Each child's LAP-D profile transfers into the permanent record and continues with the child throughout their school experience.
Health Services - Unlike other pre-school programs Head Start places significant emphasis in the childrens' overall health. A comprehensive health history is compiled on each child based on a physical exam plus screenings in the following areas: blood pressure, height to weight ratio, hearing, vision, language development, speech, and blood lead levels. Each child's social and emotional development are evaluated as well as congnitive development. Equally important is the continuation of healthy practises. Families are encouraged and assisted in obtaining both health care services and acquiring health coverage.
Family Services
Supporting the entire family makes Head Start an exemplary pre-school program. The goal is to support Head Start parents and help them strengthen their families. To that end, Head Start parents are given every opportunity to participate at all levels of the program including program planning and oversight.
All parents are encouraged to observe their child's classroom and work as a classroom volunteer. During PY 08 - 09, 219 parents volunteered 3,774 hours in the classroom.
Parent Education Activities - At program start, a Family Needs Assessment is completed to identify family goals for the year. As part of this process families indicate training interest areas. Utilizing the center meetings, county-wide workshops, and a video library, each family has opportunities to obtain the information they have requested. During the 08 - 09 program year, 147 families participated in some level of training. Of those, 113 participated in a parenting training activity, 80 in a health related training activity, 18 in and adult education program, 3 received English as a Second Language assistance, and 2 received job training assistance.
Emergency/crisis services were provided to 69 families.
