Southwest HRA Head Start Services

We begin our process of Pre-registration in January, by distributing flyers by the Family Case Managers to the following places and may not be limited to: Department of Human Services, Health Dept., Child, Health and Development programs, Community Service Centers, area churches, public school systems, all community businesses and all Head Start Sites (flyers are to be posted in the centers and sent out with the children). This information will have dates, times and location information provided, so that you will be able to contact the center in your area and fill out an application.

In filling out an application, parents are asked to bring proof of income from the previous year or the last twelve months, Birth certificate on the child of the applying child, all social security numbers on everyone in the household, Tenn Care card, AFDC and/or Food stamp case number, and shot record.

The income can be examined by using the following: Individual Income Tax Form 1040A or 1040, Public Assistance Determination statement or a copy of that check (public assistance includes Social Security, SSI, AFDC/Food Stamp Determination letter, board payment for a foster child etc.), W‑2 Form, Unemployment compensation, Pay Stubs, Statement from employer, or Child Support Statement.

The child's application will be screened in April, to see if eligible to be accepted to Head Start. In July, the Family Case Manager will send out a second letter to the accepted family. This letter tells the parent the date and time they are to come to enrollment day to enroll their child for Head Start. The letter will also confirm the child’s classroom teacher.

*(For more information about our services, click on our Policies and Procedures link above or click here.)

Education and Early Childhood Services
A high quality early childhood educational program provides a safe nurturing environment, that is designed to meet each child's individual needs, interests, rates of development, temperaments, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles. Head Start recognizes that families, the community, and cultural beliefs and practices influence the growth and development of children. In program planning, it is understood that the family is the primary educator of the child. To meet all social competency and developmental goals, partnership agreements must be established, with parents, in order for a more lasting result to occur. Education and Early Childhood Development is a comprehensive, integrated, anti-biased, multicultural program that fosters learning and development through a broad range of services. All of the education activities are designed to reinforce the integrated nature of the Head Start program.

Family/Community Partnership Services
Head Start works in close partnership with Head Start parents, and the community, to identify and develop individual strengths in order to successfully meet personal and family goals. Parents are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the program from direct involvement in policy and program decisions to planning, implementing and conducting activities that respond to their needs and interests. Opportunities are provided to enhance parenting skills; increase parents' knowledge and understanding of the educational and developmental needs of their child; and for parents to share their concerns and successes with the program staff about their child. Every effort is made to increase family access to materials, services, activities, and resources essential to family literacy.

Child Health and Development
The underlying philosophy for health services continues to focus on prevention and early intervention. A child can learn and play best, when he/she is in good health. The screening and examination process allows for the timely discovery and treatment of all identified health problems. Head Start Agency currently has collaborate agreements with eleven school districts, eight local health departments, and seven area dentists. To ensure that the children receive every available opportunity for "Good Health".

Nutrition Services
It has been proven that children, whose nutritional requirements are being met, are better able to profit from the educational experiences offered by the Head Start Program. The main goal in child nutrition is to work with parents to establish a partnership of identifying their child's nutritional patterns and needs, and then work to develop a plan for meeting the child's immediate and future nutritional needs through linkages with community resources and nutrition education.