The District of Columbia Head Start State Collaboration Office, within the Division of Early Learning, promotes strong connections between Head Start and local agencies that provide services in the areas of health care, welfare, education, community, family literacy, disabilities, homelessness, professional development and child welfare services. The Collaboration Office works to coordinate activities with the Mayor’s office, key District agencies, and early childhood agencies, associations and advocacy groups.
Head Start was established in 1965 and promotes school readiness for children, ages three to five, in low-income families by offering educational, nutritional, health, social and other services. Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of families in the administration of local Head Start programs by engaging them in their children's learning and helping them make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals.
Early Head Start, launched in 1995, provides support to low-income infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families. Early Head Start programs enhance children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; assist pregnant women with accessing comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care; support parents' efforts to fulfill their parental roles; and help parents move toward self-sufficiency.
The federal Office of Head Start provides grants to approximately 1600 local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services throughout the United States and its territories. These programs operate in the way that’s best for their communities, with half-day, full-day and home-based options available. Many programs offer a variety of service options, including partnerships with schools, centers and family child care.
Overview of Head Start
District Of Columbia Head Start Association
As a professional organization, the District of Columbia Head Start Association is dedicated to advocacy, training and providing support that enhances the growth of our individual members, member agencies, partners and others who impact the lives of children and families in the District of Columbia.
To find out more, contact:
Thomasina Millner
Managing Director
DC Head Start Association
[email protected]
(202) 627-9794