Head Start

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.

>> Looking for Head Start in Wendover? Call 435-665-7805.

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. 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. 2. Child’s immunization record
3. 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. 4. Proof of Residence
   Recent copy of utility bill, rental agreement, or mortgage statement in parent’s name that lists the address.)
5. 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

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.

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

• http://www.preschoolexpress.com

• http://www.familyeducation.com

• http://www.parentsconnect.com

• http://www.preschooleractivities.org

• http://wondertime.go.com

• https://studentshare.net/

Español

• http://preescolarhoy.blogspot.com
• http://www.jugarjuntos.com

• http://espanol.onetoughjob.org

• http://www.ride.ri.gov/els/pdfs/els_s.pdf

Classroom Locations