Vision Statement:

All children from birth through age four need early child development and preschool experiences that honor their unique characteristics and provide love, warmth, and positive learning experiences. All families need encouragement and support from their communities so that they can achieve their own goals and provide a safe and nurturing environment for their very young children. This recognition guides the design of the St. Charles Parish Head Start Programs.

The Program:

The St. Charles Parish Public Schools Head Start Program includes Head Start for 3 and 4 year old children. The program provides comprehensive child development and health services as well as services that promote collaborative relationships with families and community agency partners. Program highlights include:

• Safe and healthy school environment to nurture children’s growth and development
• Medical, dental and mental health services for children and access for families
• Flexibly designed and balanced curricula approach to foster positive learning experiences
• Nutritional meals, snacks and dietary services
• Active participation of families in school activities and the well being of families in literacy, education, health and self sufficiency
• Collaborative partnerships with community agencies and other cooperative entities
• Certified, diverse and mutually supportive team of educators and staff members
• Highly supportive school system administration and school board

Eligibility, Recruitment and Selection of Participants:

The program is open to participants without regard to race, color, creed, gender, disability and national origin. Recruitment includes public relations efforts through person- to- person word of mouth, contacts through churches, community social and recreational events, annual Head Start sponsored activities for the public, television and other forms of media.

The program provides enrollment opportunities first to children from eligible families of poverty and low income levels, 130% above poverty, and 10% any income level as specified by the Office of Management and Budget, an official department of the United States Government. A Recruitment and Selection Committee comprised of individual community residents, community agency partners and school board representatives meet twice a year or as often as needed to select children for the program and to develop or review policy. Head Start accepts applications for enrollment year round and maintain a waiting list of eligible children who may be placed in the program as vacancies occur.

Program Monitoring and Licensing:

The St. Charles Parish Head Start Program sites are licensed as Class “A” Child Care Centers by the State of Louisiana Department of Social Services. The department conducts yearly reviews of all aspects of program operations and recommends corrective actions as needed. Additionally, the Administration for Children and Families of the federal government conducts onsite program evaluation and monitoring every three years and provides a summary of recommendations for improvement.

Program Options:

Head Start: Center Based

Two Locations:

• George Washington Carver Early Learning Center, Hahnville, LA
• East Bank Head Start (Harry Hurst), Destrehan, LA

Funded Enrollment: 197 children

Contact Information:
G.W. Carver Early Learning Center
337 Gum Street
Hahnville, LA 70057
(985) 783-6617-Office
(985) 783-6626-Fax