Head Start

Service overview

The Head Start Program provides preschool education services to children from low to moderate income families who are 3 to 4 years of age. Priority is given to children with special needs, in foster care, receives TANF and to those that are homeless. Head Start is the most successful and longest operating national school readiness program in the United States. Our Head Start Program is federally funded to serve 452 students and their families. The Lyn-CAG Head Start Program, organized since 1966, maintains collaborative and partnership alliances with the United Way’s Smart Beginnings, the school systems in Amherst County, Bedford County and Lynchburg City Schools. Head Start operates twelve centers, offering parents three options of service; Full Day, Part Day and Evening Program throughout the Central Virginia area.

Head Start Administrative Staff

Dorothy Holmes         Director

Kinzetta Cobbs            Social Services/Parent Engagement Specialist

Deborah Howard        Education Specialist

Bridget Austin              Assistant Education Specialist

Jessica Thompson     Health Specialist

Jennifer Wood             Nutrition Specialist

Teresa White                Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist

Tamara Coates            White Rock Center’s Office Manager and Transportation Specialist

Jessica Thompson    Health Specialist 

 

Head Start Administrative Office

915 Main Street, Suite 300

Lynchburg, VA 24504

Telephone# (434)846-2778

Fax# (434) 846-3985

Head Start Program Services and Initiatives

Educational and Social Development

Head Start offers many opportunities for children to express themselves through art, music, movement, and storytelling. Children participate in indoor and outdoor play, and learn about books, words, numbers, and the world around them. All Head Start services are customized to the individual child’s developmental level (including children with disabilities) and consider each child’s temperament, interests, and learning style.

Medical, Dental and Mental Health

Head Start programs focus on each child’s basic health needs as well as the healthy behaviors and practices that can prevent illness and enhance a child’s lifelong well-being. Head Start children receive medical and dental care. Head Start recognizes the importance of identifying and addressing health problems early in a child’s life so that they do not interfere with a child’s learning and development. The program arranges comprehensive health care for every child. This includes a complete health examination with a screening for chronic or disabling conditions, a vision and hearing test, a dental checkup, and immunizations.

Family Development, Parent Involvement and Nutritional Counseling

Head Start staff’s approach is to work with a family in a team effort from the beginning process of setting goals, to making policy and program decisions. Parents are encouraged to become engaged in every aspect of the Head Start Program. Parents and family members work in partnership with Head Start staff to set personal goals as well as Nutritional goals for their children and families. An individualized plan is designed to assist them in achieving their family goals. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom for special activities and work as paid staff.

Daily Meals and Transportation

Head Start provides nourishing meals and snacks. A trained nutritionist helps ensure that all Head Start meals are balanced. Head Start Transportation Policy requires that all buses transporting Head Start children must have a bus monitor and all children must use safety harnesses that are weight and height appropriate.

Enrollment

Head Start Enrollment for the September 2016 through May 2017 school session is now open.

Centers are located in Lynchburg, Bedford and Amherst.

Head Start helps preschoolers ages 3 to 5 develop early reading and math skills they will need to be successful in school.

Head Start addresses health, nutritional, social needs of enrolled children, and their families. Parents play an important part in the administration of the Head Start program.

Options

Part Day, Full Day and   Evening

Transportation to some centers is provided.

All services provided by Head Start are free of charge to qualifying families.

Please contact Kim English -Intake Coordinator at 434-846-2967

Head Start Center Locations

BEDFORD

807 COLLEGE STREET 1114 School Days Road

Bedford, VA 24523

(540) 586-1514

BIG ISLAND

1114 School Days Road

Big Island, VA 24526

(434) 299-6048

ELON EVENING

147 Younger Drive

Madison Heights, VA 24572

(434) 384-9649

OLD FOREST ROAD (Day and Evening Programs)

3704 Old Forest Road

Lynchburg, VA 24501

(434) 316-9471

HUDDLESTON 

1027 Huddleston Drive

(540) 297-1698

Huddleston, VA 24104

MADISON HEIGHTS

287 Learning Lane

(434) 846-6471

Madison Heights, VA 24572

MONETA 

12718 Moneta Road

Moneta, VA 24121

(540) 297-1836

OTTER RIVER

1044 Otter River Drive

Goode, VA 24556

(540) 586-1213

NORTHERN AMHERST

575 Union Hill Road

Amherst, VA 24521

(434) 946-5622

OLD FOREST ROAD

3704 Old Forest Road

Lynchburg, VA 24501

(434) 316-9471

STEWARTSVILLE 

1138 Wild Cat Road

Goodview, VA 24095

(540) 890-5670

WHITE ROCK

400 Buena Vista Street

Lynchburg, VA 24504

(434) 846-2967

 

 

Eligibility:

All clients must meet applicable income guidelines set forth by respective funding sources. Children must be 3 to 4 years of age.

Intake Procedures:

Unrestricted. Walk-ins accepted. Self-referrals accepted. Written Application required. 

Documentation:

Birth Certificate of the child; Income Verification for the Household (can include check stubs).

 Fees:

None