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 Head Start Mission Statement
Head Start provides a supportive environment that encourages children, families, staff and communities to thrive by identifying strengths and opportunities, and developing strong partnerships to meet needs.
Standard of Conduct
All Staff, Consultants, and Volunteers will abide by these standards:
- Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.
- Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
- No child will be left alone or unsupervised while under their care.
- They will use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation. In addition, they will not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.
Performance Standard 1304.52(h)(1)
Purpose of Program
Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families. Head Start is strongly rooted in the “whole package” of Healthy.
Families, and Healthy Communities. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations in almost every county in the country. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive medical, dental and mental wellness screenings, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting.
Our goal is to provide each child with an opportunity to grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment. The Head Start staff recognizes parents as the first and most important teachers of their children. Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.
Through personal counsel and the sharing of information and resources, Head Start helps family members with academic, child rearing, job and housing issues to name a few. Parents and grandparents volunteer in classroom or on field trips and on Policy Council (or any of the other Head Start Committees), which guides each local program.
The program collects and uses child outcome data to assess and continually improve their educational methods for each individual child.
Enrollment Population
WCMCA Head Start serves families with children who are between 3 and 5 years old. Families who meet income guidelines set by the federal government. Ten percent of Head Start’s enrollment is reserved for special needs children who may be over the income guidelines. The current funded enrollment is at 271 children in the 5 county area.
Head Start Facts and Stats
The Head Start programs in Minnesota Head Start Association offers the following information on the Head Start program:
- Most children enrolled in the program come from families with household incomes below the federal poverty guidelines.
- Without Head Start, low-income children would miss the opportunity to learn and grow in preschool and would be at much greater risk for academic and social difficulties later in life.
- Classroom quality in Head Start is higher and more consistent, on the whole than in commercial or center-based child care preschools.
- For every dollar invested in quality child development program, society saves at least $7 later on programs such as unemployment, criminal justice and child welfare.
Head Start Class Offerings
WCMCA Head Start offers 17 options in the 5 county area to meet the needs of families and children. Below are the current listings of class sites:
- Alexandria Early Childhood Site, located in the Spirit Building in Alexandria: Offers 2 classes that meet 4 days per week, 4 classes that meet 3 days per week. The following Head Start Family Education Specialists are located at the Alexandria site: Jodi Becker, Jim Haugen, Nicole Jensen, Naomi Fleming, Jodi Schmidt, and Shelia Vacek. Phone: 320-762-8046.
- Ashby School Site: Meets 2 days per week. Taanna Horn, FES. Phone 500-435-2274.
- Brandon School Site: Meets 3 days per week. Heather Dewey, FES. Phone 320-834-4084, ext 311.
- Browns Valley Family Service Center Site: Meets 4 days per week. Loretta Kruger, FES. Phone 320-695-2208.
- Elbow Lake School Site: Meets 2 days per week. Stacie Jansen, FES. Phone 500-435-2275.
- Kensington School Site: Meets 2 days per week. Polly Hedstrom, FES. Phone 500-435-2271.
- Minnewaska West School Site, located at Starbuck Elementary: Two classes that meet 3 days per week. Deb Holmes, FES. Phone 320-239-1403. Imogen Kirckof, FES. Phone 500-435-2278.
- Morris MACCC Child Care Partnership Site, Meets 5 days per week. Morris Head Start meets 2 days per week, located at the Morris Area Child Care Center. Jody Loher, FES and Heidi Basta, FES. Phone 320-589-7948.
- Osakis School Site: Meets 3 days per week. Katie Magnuson, FES. Phone 500-435-2288.
Head Start Parent Handbook 
Head Start Community Resource Handbook
Head Start Application
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