Children and Families of the Acadia Parish School Board Head Start Program receive quality and safe educational support services.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT:  Participation in the classroom; participation in activities in cooperation with staff; participation in the process of making decisions about the nature and operation of the program; Parent Trainee Program.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:  Prepare children to be healthier & more ready for Kindergarten; engage families in their child's Head Start Program and public school; promote higher levels of quality for the program; encourage stronger support inthe community to the next generation.

EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT:  Curriculum based upon sound child-development principles; integration of all educational aspects of health, nutrition and mental health services; provide for the development of cognitive skills for school readiness; parental involvement in the development of the program's curriculum and approach to child development and education; partnership with parents through conferences and home visits; parental opportunity to observe their children and share these assessments with staff to plan learning experiences; Curriculum and learning environment supports the development of all children's social and emotional development, cognitive, literacy, language development and physical skills.

HEALTH:  Health Services to children and families to encourage their physical development; collaborative relationships among children, families, staff, mental health professionals and the community; health screenings; immunization tracking; partnerships with physicians to maintain current physical and dental exams.

MENTAL HEALTH:  Collaborative relationship among children, families, staff and mental health professionals; contracted Mental Health Consultants to work with staff, parents and children through regularly scheduled on-site visits; 

DISABILITIES:  Services for meeting the special needs of children with disabilities and their parents; screenings and ongoing assessments; Individual Education Plans; parent advocacy and training.

NUTRITION:  Menus developed by Registered Dietician; nutrition assessments and special diets; daily breakfast, lunch and snacks.

SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION:  State-approved school buses equipped with child restraints; morning and afternoon transportation available to children within the city limits of each community served; emergency preparedness (bus safety, fire safety, tornado safety; emergency evacuations.