The Head Start/Early Head Start programs are funded by a Federal grant which has income guidelines for participation.  Both Head Start and Early Head Start are required to document family income and compare to the federal poverty levels.  Families may also qualify based upon certain factors, such as homelessness or receiving public assistance, e.g., TANF, Child Care Subsidy, and SSI.   Head Start may also accept up to 10% of children who have risk factors which indicate a strong need for a school readiness program but whose families are over the federal poverty income guidelines. 

Head Start provides education and support service to children ages 4 and 5, while Early Head serves pregnant mothers and children to age 3.

 Both programs are offering extended care, thus serving more working families who need longer days and qualify under this category. 

Service Area

CARD offers Head Start/Early Head Start services in Washington, Nowata, Rogers, Mayes, Wagoner counties as well as part of Tulsa County (Broken Arrow School district).

Both Programs offer:

• Education. CARD HS/EHS collaborate with parents in order to implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum, which supports each child’s individual pattern of development and learning.  CARD uses Creative Curriculum, which is based on sound child development research, which tells what to expect of children at a given stage of development.  Creative Curriculum uses an environmentally based approach that is responsive to the needs of diverse communities and cultures represented in the HEAD Start/Early Head program.   It allows staff and parents to modify the environment to make it increasingly challenging and relevant while building on the child’s changing needs, interests, skills and abilities.
• Activities. CARD will provide a variety of activities which address the Head Start/ Early Learning Framework in an integrated way; using intentional instruction and scaffold learning throughout the day to enhance and encourage growth and development, forming the foundation for School Readiness and later school success.
• Nutrition Services. Good nutrition is important for brain development, and meal time is a special time where physical, social and emotional needs are all met.  All meals and snacks meet or exceed federal and state standards.  Since all children receive growth and nutrition assessments, families and HS/EHS staff use this information to make progress towards nutrition related goals. HS/EHS strongly supports breastfeeding moms.
• Health Services. Healthy children are more ready to learn!  CARD staff will assist in finding on-going medical care for your child and help to obtain medical coverage if needed. HS/EHS use reliable screening tools for early identification of vision and hearing problems. Immunizations are an important part of protecting children’s health.  The flu or RSV is a serious illness for a young child or a pregnant mom. HS & EHS education and family service staff work in partnership with families to overcome barriers to accomplishing immunizations.
• Mental Health Services. The single most predictive factor for children’s future school success is social and emotional skills.  Making and sustaining relationships is critical for self-regulation, attention span, and future academic performance.  All children receive social-emotional developmental screenings as part of their first 45 day service package; parents complete the standardized screening, and teachers provide additional input.  CARD HS & EHS children, families and staff have professional consultants available, and many families access this supportive service.  Parent support programming such as, The Incredible Years, are offered at select locations, and parents are encouraged to access community services.  Partnerships enable families to receive services in their homes, at school or off site. 
• Family Engagement.Head Start understands that it is hard to focus on school when there are other family needs.  Family workers (FSR/FMS) are charged partnering with families, assisting families with their goals and needs, often by connecting them with the community’s resources. Families may receive a wide array of services, from financial literacy workshops to parenting support groups, mental health services or a host of other resources. Additionally, parent involvement is encouraged in all aspects of the program.  CARD offers special programming for dads, as well as relationship enrichment and parent education experiences.  Activities at the local level, like “Donuts for Dad”, dads and kids making birdhouses, creating a “carnival” or making a Valentine’s mailbox are enjoyed by many, but the banner event is the Annual Fishing Derby.  This year over 1000 participants came out to celebrate a year of progress for their family.  The Derby is like no other fishing derby - with a focus on food and fun, families eat and play together; while playing parents learn more about how simple activities scaffold children’s learning and prepare children for school success! 

For additional information call 918-341-5000 or Contact Us.