Head
Start
Our Mission
We at PCCEO, Inc. Early Head Start and
Head Start identify ourselves as partners in the delivery
of high quality, comprehensive services to economically-challenged
families and children in Peoria County.
Our Value Statement
PCCEO EHS and HS is dedicated to providing
quality services to children and families. We value honesty,
respect, justice, equity, personal development and professional
growth. It is our desire to promote these values for our
organization and our community through effective leadership
and teamwork.
Education & Early Childhood Development
Head Start offers eight (8) quality early
childhood learning centers with 40 years of experience
in early child development. The standards for the Head
Start curriculum are based on a developmentally appropriate
model and include learning goals in language and literacy,
physical development, cognitive development, and social
and emotional development. We are aware that each child
develops at their own rate and our curriculum is based
on individual interests, temperaments, languages, cultural
backgrounds and learning styles. Our overall goal is to
enhance the development of the whole child and to provide
learning experiences that will promote school readiness.
The daily schedule provides a balance
of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities within
a classroom schedule that fosters continuity. Each classroom
has no more than 18 children enrolled. There is an early
childhood teacher and teacher assistant in each classroom.
The classroom is divided into learning centers and includes
blocks, dramatic play, science and discovery, creative
art, math, manipulative, computer and language and literacy.
Each child is screened within two weeks
of enrollment and their progress is assessed three times
a year in all areas of development using classroom anecdotal
observations and portfolios. This information provides
the teacher and the parent with information to meet each
child's educational and developmental needs.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is called "Foundations."
PCCEO Head Start believes it is important to lay the foundation
at an early age for children's growth development and
to ensure future success. It covers seven learning domains:
Social-Emotional, the Arts, Physical Development and Health,
Math, Language Literacy, and Science. Each domain has
specific goals and objectives for each child to master.
Suggested activities are included for adaptations for
children with disabilities.
Our goal is to enhance the development
of the whole child and to provide learning experiences
that will promote school readiness. Parent involvement
in the child's education is vital to school success.
Family Development
Family Development Staff coordinate all
parent involvement activities. Parent activities include
participation with the Parent Policy Council, and parent
center meetings. The Family Development Staff is also
responsible for the Head Start parent newsletter, and
also partners with other community resources to provide
GED, higher education and job training for Head Start
parents. The Family Partnerships Specialist assists the
Family Development Coordinator by providing training for
the entry level Support Service Clerk position. Mentoring
is provided by the Family Development Team person assigned
to that parent's classroom.
Family Development Staff also serve as
a liaison for families and community resources, so that
the needs of Head Start families will be met. Family Development
Staff attempt to meet these needs through the following:
- Community outreach
- Recruitment and enrollment of children
- Family assessments
- Family Partnership Program
- Emergency assistance and/or crisis
intervention
- Information about available community
resources
- Referral and advocacy
- Collateral contacts with Community
Partners previously working with families.
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Child Health & Developmental
Services
The focus of Child Health & Developmental
Services is to meet the physical, dental, nutritional,
and emotional needs of Head Start children and families.
Each child is required to have a medical screening that
includes health history, hematocrit, or hemoglobin, immunization
review, lead, tuberculosis, and vision and hearing screenings.
Annual dental exams, cleanings, and fluorides are also
provided.
Menus conform to the USDA/CACFP meal pattern
for children ages 3-5 years. Each child receives a nutrition
screening and if required, a nutrition assessment from
the program's dietitian.
Case management is an integral part of
health services, throughout the program year. An on-site
health center, seminars, and referrals are provided for
children and families. Upon completion of the Head Start
program, parents receive a health summary report of services
provided to their child, while enrolled in the program.
Disability Services
Head Start provides services to all children
with disabilities. These services are provided in conjunction
with Peoria School District 150 and can be provided on
site or in a District 150 classroom. These services include:
Resource, speech therapy, dual placements, OT or PT.
Head Start screens all children for possible
delays. District 150 follows up on referrals made from
Head Start to evaluate and determine if there is a need
for special services.
Head Start staff participate in all staffings
and meetings concerning the child's needs. Staff from
both programs work effectively together to provide a positive,
successful learning environment. Children with disabilities
are included in all aspects of the program, with adaptions
provided (if needed) to encourage their active participation.
Transportation Services
PCCEO, Inc. Head Start provides safe
and free transportation services for children 3 to 5 years
of age that participate at the Webster Center and Valeska
Hinton Early Childhood Center, utilizing nine (9) buses
ranging in sizes from 21 passenger to 59 passenger.
All buses meet the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard and are inspected every six months by
a garage licensed by the state. Buses are equipped with
additional safety items such as backup alarms and child
alert systems.
PCCEO, Inc. Head Start drivers must maintain
commercial driver license (CDL) and an Illinois school
bus permit. They are also required to take yearly physicals,
which include drug screenings and a school bus driver
refresher course. All drivers also are certified in first
aid and CPR.
We also utilize our professional drivers
to charter buses for field trips and other events for
a fee.
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Recruitment
PCCEO's Head Start recruitment process
is planned to specifically inform all families within
the designated recruitment area with eligible infants,
toddlers and preschool children of the availability of
Head Start and Early Head Start services. It is our intent
to join in partnership with the community and accept mutual
responsibility for:
- children learning
- promoting school readiness
- enhancing the social and cognitive
development of economically challenged children
Eligibility Requirements
Children must be age 3 to 5 years old.
Ninety percent of enrollment must be from low-income families
(see income guidelines below). Ten (10) percent of the
enrollment may consist of families who exceed the low-income
guidelines but who meet other program criteria.
Family income must be verified before
determining eligibility which may include current Income
Tax Form 1040, W-2 forms, pay stubs with current date
& name, written statements from employers, or documentation
showing current status as recipients of public assistance
(TANF) or a 906 form for a Foster Child.
2007 Income Guidelines:
| Size of Family |
Poverty
Guideline |
1...........................................$10,400
2...........................................14,000
3...........................................17,600
4...........................................21,200
5...........................................24,800
6...........................................28,400
7...........................................32,000
8...........................................35,600 |
For family units with more than 8 members,
add $3,600 for each additional member.
In order for a family to be considered
for a full-year/full-day slot, the following criteria
shall apply:
- Currently employed 30 hours per week
with verification;
- Enrollment in GED (General Education
Diploma) program or other educational pursuits with
verification;
Involvement in a training program for a minimum of 30
hours per week.
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Document Guidelines |
| Verification of |
Documents Needed |
| Age and Citizenship
|
Birth Certificate
Citizenship papers |
| Disability |
Medical Records
Clinical Records
Physician's statements
Active IEP |
| Address |
DHS (formerly IDPA)
card
IL State Driver's License or ID Photo Card
Or correspondence to current address |
| Income |
Pay stubs
DHS TANF ID Number
W2/Tax return for the prior year
Employment verification
Income Verification |
| Retainee/Sibling |
Prior year's Income
Documents |
| Foster Children |
Form 906 |
Sites and
Locations |
Webster Center
923 W. Millman
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 495-1516 |
Blaine Street
Center
1211 S. Blaine Street
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 495-5290 |
Harrison Center
2702 W. Krause
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 671-3926 |
Trewyn Center
2219 S. Idaho
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 671-3958 |
Valeska Hinton Center
800 W. R.B. Garrett
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 672-6810 |
Pleasant Valley Center
3314 W. Richwoods Blvd.
Peoria, IL 61604
(309) 679-0634 |
Carver Center
215 N. Richard Pryor Pl.
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 671-5661 |
Urban League
317 MacArthur
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 673-7474
|
Service Areas |
| Head Start Director
(309) 671-3960
Administrative Assistant
(309) 671-3960
Office Manager
(309) 495-1516 |
Early Childhood Education
(309) 495-1519
Family Services
(309) 495-1510
Disability Services
(309) 495-1509
Family Partnerships
(309) 495-1511
Support Services
(309) 495-1514 |
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HEAD START
PURPOSE STATEMENT
HEAD
START DAILY SCHEDULES
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request further information, please click here.
