Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development program. It serves low income children from birth to mandatory school age, their families and expectant mothers throughout the United States and around the world.
| History | Who Is Eligible? |
| Early Head Start | Purpose |
| Philosophy | Management |
| Funding | Model of Services |
| How is Head Start Evaluated? |
History
Pinellas County Head Start (PCHS) began service to Pinellas county in 1965 as a summer school program. In 1966 it was funded as a full year program for 510 children.
Under the leadership of its Executive Director, M. Juanita Heinzen, the program continues to earn a national reputation for excellence, innovation and leadership.
Pinellas County Head Start services are center-based and are housed in 22 directly operated and community partnered centers throughout its service area of Pinellas County.
In 2001 PCHS successfully applied for an Early Head Start grant. EHS opened for services in 2002.
Early Head Start
Pinellas County Early Head Start serves 32 families. The center-based program is housed at the Friendship Head Start/Early Head Start center at 802 Turner Street in Clearwater, FL.
Families are served via a model that is both home-based and center-based. The Early Head Start Manager leads a quality staff of early childhood specialists and is lead liaison with the EHS Advisory Committee.
Philosophy
PCHS/EHS’s Philosophy is that parents are the first and most impacting educator of their children. It is therefore important that the program partners with the family in order to affect the purpose of Head Start / Early Head Start which is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children as well as their families, through the provision of comprehensive services.
Funding
Funding and authority come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
Pinellas County Head Start / Early Head Start has its federal funds channeled to it through the local community action agency, Pinellas Opportunity Council (POC). POC delegates the operation of Head Start to Head Start Child Development and Family Services, Inc. a private nonprofit organization.
One thousand five hundred seventy (1,570) children, thirty -two (32) Early Head Start Children and expectant mothers and their families are served by the Head Start program in seventeen centers and at five contracted sites throughout the county.
How Is Head Start/EHS Evaluated?
The Head Start/EHS program must comply with performance standards developed by the Administration of Children and Families (ACF). Each year parents, board members, and community representatives work on teams that visit each center and review plans and records to verify that the program is in compliance with Federal Performance Standards. Recommendations for program improvement are made by these self assessment teams. The Office of Head Start in Washington, DC then validates the results of the self assessments by sending representatives to visit and review the program every three years.
Who Is Eligible?
Head Start / Early Head Start families must meet Health and Human Services (HHS) income eligibility guidelines or be on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (T.A.N.F.), or are receiving/received public assistance within one year of application.
Ten percent (10%) of total enrollment may be from families above the income guidelines provided there are extenuating circumstances of need.
In addition, ten percent (10%) of total enrollment opportunities must be for children who have been professionally diagnosed or suspected as having a disability.
There are no charges or fees for Head Start / Early Head Start services.
Purpose
To promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision of comprehensive services; and to assist their families.
Management Team
| Executive Director | M. Juanita Heinzen |
| Family Service Manager | Cherie Green |
| Deputy Director | Arlene Garcia |
| Administrative Services Director | Kimberly Williams |
| Human Resources Coordinator | Kathy Moore |
| Fiscal Operations Coordinator | Angela Justice |
| Health Service Manager | Connie Cooper |
| Outcomes/Accountability Mgr. | Dana Broadway |
| Support Services Manager | Dick Boucher |
| Early Head Start Manager | Michelle Simon |
| Sr. Fiscal Operations Analyst | Bob Mielke |
| Disabilities Services Coordinator | Patricia Corder |
| Nutrition Coordinator | Alejandra Arias |
Model of Services
Quality educational activities based on developmentally appropriate practices.
Health Services that encompasses medical, dental, nutritionial, and mental wellness.
Family services and parent involvement that assists with child and family self-sufficiency.
Support services to assist with program participation.
