Head Start
Head Start programs operate in centers and public schools in all five southern rural counties, with a variety of program options. Head Start, administered by South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP), has been in operation since 1966.
We have independent Head Start centers and five collaborations with school districts, with the four-year-old state initiative pre-school program. The school districts have agreed to follow Head Start Performance Standards, which the Iowa Department of Education recognizes as a sign of high quality and exemplary programs. Unique to Head Start Programs from other Early Childhood Programs, is individualizing for ALL children and parent engagement, which our school district collaborations follow.
We have two full day State Shared visions programs in two counties, which offer full day service to the children and their families that work or go to school.
Five Head Start Centers and Five School District collaborations, serve the communities by providing age appropriate quality comprehensive programs with kindergarten readiness skills, nutritious breakfast and lunches, health screenings, social services and parent involvement opportunities to each of the 212 children enrolled and their families. All classrooms in our five counties have certified Early Childhood teachers, to best serve our children so they are kindergarten ready.
All centers/schools are using the research based on line Teaching Strategies GOLD by Diane Trister Dodge. Our goal is for our children to be kindergarten ready, but more important to be a lifelong learner.
In two counties State Wrap-Around funds allow us to provide extended hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist families with working parents or those needing to fulfill schooling and training obligations.
Great News!
In May 2011 from the 8th to the 13th was our triennial monitoring review. Head Start/Early Head Start was found to be in compliance with ALL Head Start Program Performance Standards, laws, regulations, and policy requirements. Accordingly, no corrective action is required.
Nancy Schnurr, BS/MA/ED
Early Childhood Education
Head Start/Early Head Start Director
Early Head Start
South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) operates an Early Childhood Center in Decatur County in addition to home-based services which include Decatur and Clarke County.
Our Early Childhood Center in Decatur County has an infant room serving four infants and a toddler room serving eight toddlers. The center uses the research based on line Teaching Strategies GOLD by Diane Trustier Dodge, to be consistent with our Head Start Programs. In addition, State Wrap Around funds allow the center to provide extended hours 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist families with working members or those needing to fulfill schooling and training obligations.
We provide a home-based program in two counties (Decatur and Clarke), using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum. We serve a total of 36 participants in our two counties. The home-based program serves pregnant women and children from birth to three years of age. The ASQ and ASQ-SE are used for screening tools.
South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) Head Start hopes to bring Early Head Start services to our other three counties as funding opportunities arise. Our Community Assessment shows us there is a huge need as we have a high rise in teen pregnancies in our five counties.
Head Start Director:
Nancy Schnurr
641-774-8133, ext. 236