Head Start
Walk-in Application Intakes are held the 2nd and 4th week of the month on Monday and Wednesday (except on holidays) from 9:00 am- 3:00 pm at HJS Head Start (336 East 3900 South).
What Head Start Can Do for Your Child
Head Start is a federal program designed to help young children get basic medical attention, make a smoother transition from early childhood to the school environment, and get on the path to self-sufficiency. Head Start is offered for children ages 3-5, while Early Head Start is available for children 0-2. Head Start is administered by Utah Community Action and other Utah nonprofits.
Eligibility
Head Start is available to children in Utah who turn 3 or 4 by September 1st of the current year. Priority is given to families who have children with disabilities or whose income is within the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you are over-income and do not qualify, you will be asked for further information.
Head Start is an equal opportunity program and does not discriminate against race, religion, or sex. Utah Community Action does not deny placement on the basis of a disability or its severity to any child. We do not provide transportation for students, however, assistance with carpooling or bus/TRAX vouchers can be made available.
If you have questions, please call the Head Start hotline at 801-972-2337 or e-mail us at erseateam@utahca.org.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a la línea de ayuda al 801-972-2337 o escríbanos a erseateam@utahca.org
>> Looking for Head Start in Tooele? Call 435-882-6743.
How to Register
If you are interested in having your child participate in Head Start or Early Head Start, please complete the 2018-19 Online Application forms:
Once you’ve submitted the online forms, you must finish the enrollment process in-person. Call 801-972- 2337 or visit us the 2nd and 4th week of the month on Monday and Wednesday at Howard J. Schutlz Head Start: 336 East 3900 South. A specialist will need to verify your child’s age, your household income, your child’s immunization record, and your proof of residency before confirming your classroom placement.
Questions? ERSEAteam@utahca.org or 801-972- 2337.
Please bring the following documents with you to enroll in Head Start:
- 1. Child’s birth documentation
Birth certificate and/or Medicaid card, baptism or blessing certificate, Foster Care placement letter, Hospital Certificate, I-94 or passport. - 2. Child’s immunization record
- 3. Proof of income for past 12 months: (bring all that apply)
Tax forms for the previous year (preferred), W-2 forms, check stubs, child support, unemployment, Social Security or military income, etc. - 4. Proof of Residence
Recent copy of utility bill, rental agreement, or mortgage statement in parent’s name that lists the address.) - 5. Please also bring:
A copy of your child’s most recent physical and dental exam (completed in the last 12 months), medical and dental provider information.
What We Do
Education
Social/Emotional Development
Head Start plays a key role in preparing our children for school. Our teachers and classrooms, combined with supervised interaction with other children, help a growing child develop important social and emotional skills, as well as a healthy concept of their personal identity. We know that social and emotional well-being in early childhood predicts favorable social, behavioral, and academic adjustment into middle childhood and adolescence.
School Readiness
To prepare children for school, our teachers design curriculum that encourage individual development for each child in three key areas: language development, which is fundamental to learning; literacy skills that lay the foundation for reading and writing, as well as familiarizing our children with books and other learning tools; and mathematics knowledge and skills, including understanding numbers, shapes, measurement, patterns, and other traditional mathematical problems. We know that math skills developed during the early years help children to connect ideas, develop logical and abstract thinking, and to question, analyze, and understand the world around them.
Physical
Physical well-being, health and motor skill development in a child are critical to the success of any educational program. With this in mind, our Head Start classrooms provide our children with the guidance to develop healthy habits that will support a lifelong foundation for a healthy life. We encourage play and exercise activities that develop strong motor skills so that Head Start children can explore and function in their environments, while they gain confidence in their physical abilities.
Head Start volunteers play a significant role in our classrooms by ensuring that each child receives the time and guidance necessary to become a well-adjusted and engaged student, ready to take the next step forward.
Health Services
The health of Head Start children is one of our primary concerns. We provide a comprehensive health service program which includes preventive screenings and exams such as, immunizations, EPSDT physical exams, vision and hearing screenings, as well as developmental and mental health screenings. We work closely with families to ensure they identify a medical support service within the community to give them access accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family centered medical care for years to come.
Oral Health Services
Head Start takes a very active role in dental preventive services and promoting oral health care by working with our children and families to emphasize the importance of establishing good oral health habits at an early age and maintaining them throughout life. Children receive a yearly comprehensive dental exam, including fluoride application. Children and their parents are educated in effective dental hygiene practices, including age and development level of the child and their ability to clean their teeth properly, and recommended dental frequency. Oral health education is completed by staff, and outside collaborative agencies through workshops throughout the year.
Nutrition Services
A critical part of Head Start’s role is focused on nutrition. We provide our children with two-thirds of their daily nutritional needs, which is important not only for their health and well-being but for their intellectual and social development. Many children living in poverty are facing malnourishment, hunger, or can be overweight and/or obesity. Head Start offers nutritious, ethnically diverse and child-friendly food through a state of the art food service program.
Head Start volunteers play a crucial and active role in children’s health and welfare by offering their time and professional services to help ensure each child receives the education, treatment, and support that will lead them to a healthy and fulfilling life.
Parent Engagement
We recognize that the goals for children in Head Start programs could not be met without parental engagement. Our strong focus on parents sets us apart from other social service programs. We use a variety of strategies to engage parents including teaching them the importance of their role in the education and healthy development of their children. Head Start provides opportunities for parents to contribute to Head Start program management by encouraging them to participate in classroom committees and policy council. Head Start believes that parents are the primary educator of their child and are urged to be an advocate for their children and their education.
Parent Education and Family Development
Head Start aims to educate the entire family and to assist parents in their personal and family development. Head Start utilizes an individualized approach to parent education based on the identified interests, strengths and the needs of each family member. Case managers work intensely with parents to create goals and to build their capacity as individuals and as families on their path to living self-sufficient lives.
Community Resources
Head Start had established strong partnerships in the community. Collaborations between community agencies plays a crucial role in the comprehensive services that Head Start provides children and their families. Many families are simply unaware of the resources our community has to offer in adult education, social services, and counseling, to name just a few. By helping to provide access to these community resources, Head Start gives families a way to reach out and develop the foundations they need to reach their goals. These strong community partnerships ensure a seamless delivery of services to families and help avoid the obstacles that often play a large role in the cycle of poverty.
Refer a Family
Would you like to refer a family to Head Start? Please fill in the info below and we’ll contact the family.
Resources
To learn more about Head Start and early childhood education, browse the links below.
English
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Classroom Locations
Bellview
9800 S. 800 E.
Sandy 84094
Bennion
429 South 800 East
Salt Lake City, 84102
CCH
6447 West 4100 South
West Valley City, 84128
CCC
8446 S. Harrison St. (300 West)
Midvale, 84047
Creekside
254 Gregson Ave. (3020 S.)
Salt Lake City, 84115
Glendale
1388 Navajo Street
Salt Lake City, 84104
Grantsville
7 S. Park Street
Grantsville, 84029
Grant
662 W. 6140 S.
Murray, 84047
HJS
336 E. 3900 S.
Salt Lake City, 84107
Horizonte
1234 South Main
Salt Lake City, 84101
JRR
1240 American Beauty Dr. (1065 West)
Salt Lake City, 84116
Magna
8275 West 3500 South
Magna, 84044
Majestic
7430 South 1700 West
West Jordan, 84084
Meadowbrook
3900 South 250 West
Salt Lake City, 84115
Midvale
328 West Wasatch St.
Midvale, 84047
Midvalley
217 E. 7800 S.
Midvale, 84047
Millcreek
4405 South 1025 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Monroe
4450 W. 3100 S.
Kearns, 84120
Murray
73 West 6100 South
Murray, 84107
Neighborhood House
1050 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, 84104
Oquirrh Hills
5241 S. 4280 W.
Kearns, 84118
Palmer Court
999 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, 84111
Redwood
3060 Lester Street
Salt Lake City, 84119
Shriver
1307 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, 84104
Salt Lake Community College
4600 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, 84123
South Kearns
4430 W. 5570 S.
Kearns, 84118
South Salt Lake
2825 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, 84115
Stansbury
3050 S. 2700 W.
West Valley City, 84119
Terra Linda
8400 South 3400 West
West Jordan, 84088
The Children’s Center
5242 South 4820 West
Kearns, UT 84118
Tooele
222 North Coleman
Tooele, 84074
University Neighborhood Partners
1700 S. 1578 W.
Salt Lake City, 84119
U of U
1945 E. Sunnyside Ave.
West Village Child Care Center,
Salt Lake City, 84108
Wendover
1007 Skyhawk
Wendover, 84083
West Jordan
7220 South 2370 West
West Jordan, 84084
Find an Office
Head Start Main Facilities
Shriver Administration
1307 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Office (801)977-1122
Fax (801)977-3929
Tooele Facility
22 N. Coleman Street
Tooele, Utah 84074
Office (435)882-6743
Fax (435)882-0574
Hal J. Schultz Facility
336 East 3900 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
Office (801)743-6450
Fax (801)743-6452
James R. Russell Facility
1240 No. American Beauty Dr. (1040 W.)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
Office (801)323-3900
Fax (801)323-1640
Catherine C. Hoskins Facility
6447 West 4100 South
West Valley, Utah 84128
Office (801)250-6323
Fax (801)250-5925
South Salt Lake Boys & Girls Club Facility
254 East Gregson Ave. (3020 So.)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Head Start is to provide health, education, and promote self-sufficiency for children and families facing adversity. The core values of our Head Start program are: Integrity, Innovation, Commitment.