Head Start State Collaboration Office

• Overview of Head Start
• Head Start Sites
• Head Start-State Collaboration Project Background
• Early Head Start Sites
• Reports and Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Links

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs, serving children from birth to age five, expectant mothers and families. The overall goal of Head Start is to increase the social competence of children in low-income families and children with disabilities, and improve the chances of success in school.

Head Start has been a pioneer in the movement to address the needs of the whole child, including the educational, vocational and material needs of the entire family. Head Start philosophy holds that parents are the primary educators of their children, and that successful child development programs must involve and empower parents in order to have a lasting impact on the lives of low-income children. This philosophy is reflected in Head Start's administrative structure which includes a parent Policy Council that has decision-making authority.

Head Start began in 1965 and has been recognized through seven presidential administrations for its effectiveness in helping children become more self-confident and successful. Though federally-funded, each program is required to provide a 20 percent local funding match. This nationwide program works through several major areas, including education, health and nutrition, parent involvement and social services.

There have been Head Start programs in North Dakota since 1965, and currently 3322 children and their families are being served by Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in North Dakota. The basic elements of Head Start are regulated through federal Program Performance Standards. Grantees and parents have control over their programs, and each is designed to meet the needs of families in the local community.

North Dakota Head Start Video

A video presentation of the North Dakota Head Start and Early Head Start State Collaboration Office is offered here.

Note: To view the video presentations on this page, you will a need the current version of RealPlayer. If you do not have this option on your machine, download RealPlayer.

North Dakota Head Start Video
Cable Modem, DSL	10.2Mb
Dial-Up	2.37Mb
Transcript	North Dakota Head Start (33kb pdf)

 

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