This October, Darlington County Community Action Agency and others like it from across the country are joining together to celebrate Head Start’s 43rd birthday during Head Start Awareness Month and to strengthen the nation’s awareness of the Head Start program.
Head Start families have long recognized the positive effects Head Start has on their children. On average, Head Start graduates rank higher in language, literacy, social conduct and physical development than their non-Head Start peers.
Head Start children are also significantly more likely to complete high school and attend college than those who did not participate in the program.
With more than 22 million alumni to date, Head Start is making a positive impact on the lives of low-income children across the U.S.
Head Start programs in years past have sponsored a number of activities throughout October, among them children’s parades and festivals, on-site open house activities, special exhibits and community conferences. Not only are such activities an excellent way to showcase the centers and their children, they also raise community awareness of the Head Start cause.
Darlington County Community Action Agency’s activities in October have included center town hall chats with center directors around Darlington County, a balloon launch and open houses at the centers, Red Ribbon Awareness Week the week of Oct. 5 - 11, a staff recognition breakfast and pinning ceremony and staff development training, a statewide awareness day Oct. 28 at Finlay Park in Columbia, “Sheroes and Heroes” Recognition week the week of Oct. 19 - 25, and a favorite character day on Oct. 31.
Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running national school readiness program in the U.S. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
Evelyn Patterson is the Head Start Director for Darlington County
The Head Start program in Darlington County is currently seeking Head Start alumni. If you attended Head Start in Darlington County within the past 42 years, call 332-1135 or e-mail epatterson@dccaa.net or cmurray@dccaa.net. The agency is also looking for Head Start success stories.
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