COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN INC

Head start/pre-k and early head start of the lehigh valley is our nation's premier provider of developmental and educational services to pregnant women, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families who are low income and struggle to meet the basic needs of life. We seek out the most vulnerable families, those at or below 100% of poverty, who are struggling with poverty and other socioeconomic challenges. We provide high quality early education and comprehensive family development services. Specifically, our mission is to prepare young children and their families to succeed in learning and life through innovative, comprehensive, leading edge services. Though children enter the program well behind their peers, over 80% of head start/pre-k children exit the program having achieved proficiency in all learning domains; social emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and mathematics; positioning them for a successful academic future. Early head start, 100% of pregnant enrollees delivered a healthy, full term baby. On a daily basis we provide developmental experiences to over 233 pregnant women, infants and toddlers in early head start and over 1000 (head start/pre-k) preschoolers in conjunction with comprehensive health, nutrition, disability services, and family services to them as well. This year over 1,000 children and families received in person and vital early education services on a variety of schedules. Families participating in the program had monthly group activity opportunities as well as either weekly (early head start) or monthly (head start) home visits. We ensure that each child had all early and preventive health screenings and immunizations, and receives at least 1/2 to 2/3 of their daily nutritional requirements. Ninety-three percent (93%) of all children achieved positive health status by obtaining all of their needed screenings, and 96% of children this year were up to date on all age appropriate immunizations. Oral health is also significant with 87% of all children receiving preventive dental care. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of head start children, and 56% of early head start-safestart children had disabilities, yet 100% of these children with special learning needs received therapeutic intervention. Those children with health conditions, such as anemia, asthma, vision or failure to thrive were able to receive all needed treatment. We provide transportation services to over 150 children daily to and from the children's homes. Parents are an integral part of the program, as we work in full partnership. We assist parents to identify their goals for themselves and for their children, and support in reaching those goals. This year, 86% of families developed an individual goal plan and 98% participated in home visits. We provide parent training, parent involvement opportunities, and vital community linkages to other social service agencies that can benefit the family. Over 600 referrals were made to community providers for emergency assistance, food, housing, domestic violence, and child care assistance. The head start and early head start program has maintained its accreditation status by naeyc and its accreditation by the middle state association commission for grades infant through four. In addition, the head start/early head start program is designated as a program of excellence by the national head start association.