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Head Start
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Christa Green Interim Director
Amber Frommherz Director January - October 2020 Tlingit & Haida Head Start is a Region XI, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) program federally-funded to serve 262 preschool-aged children (3-5 years old) in 10 communities throughout Southeast Alaska. Angoon (1 class) Craig (1 class) Hoonah (1 class) Juneau (4 classes) Klawock (1 class) Petersburg (1 class) Saxman (1 class) Sitka (2 classes) Wrangell (1 class) Yakutat (1 class)
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program that partners with families to foster healthy child development. In addition to preparing children to enter kindergarten, the program also coordinates health screenings (dental, health, mental health and nutrition), and monitors students’ development and parent involvement.
Per Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Head Start is administered in collaboration with the Tribe’s governing body (Executive Council) and the Policy Council which is mostly comprised of current Head Start parents. Each class operates with the input of their local parent committee. In 2020, Head Start operated with a budget of $5,357,249. The program was funded with $4,077,683 in federal Head Start funds which was the fourth year of a five-year continuation funding cycle and included a one-time distribution of additional funds to offset the costs incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic. Head Start also received $419,749 under the State of Alaska’s Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and was reimbursed $155,623 under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for meals and snacks.
2020 Highlights
Enrolled 252 students in the 2019-2020 school year. » 65% of total enrollment were income or categorically eligible and 35% were considered over-income. » 60% of total enrollment were first-year students, 39% were second year students, and 1% were three-year students. Reached 83.34% Average Daily
Attendance (ADA) for the days that Head
Start held in person classes. In March 2020, all classrooms were closed to inperson attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Completed the following health screenings for first-year students: » Dental (81.10%), Hearing (76.77%), Physical (79.52%) and Vision (80.31%). » Of all enrolled students, 96.44% were current on immunizations. This was a significant improvement over last school year’s 69.46%. Provided students with 14,973 breakfasts, 16,738 lunches and 9,703 snacks during the 2019-2020 school year. These numbers reflect only the meals reimbursed through the CACFP. The reduction of meals was due to the COVID-19 pandemic as inperson classes were canceled thus meals not served.
2020 Highlights (Cont.)
Distributed individual learning (Hatch Ignite) tablets to enrolled Head Start students to support virtual learning. Installed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp at Wrangell Head Start. Digitized the application process and shifted to an online application. Received a 2020 Alaska Head Start Association Award of Excellence: » Head Start Cook of the Year — Everette Jamestown (Angoon Head Start) Supported the professional development of Head Start staff: » Child Development Associate Credential (1) » Family Development Credential (2) Finalized emergency preparedness plans in Head Start communities to ensure safe, healthy and children-friendly environments for families served.
2021 Goals
Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations. Continue to provide safe, healthy and child-friendly environments. Strengthen the cultural foundation through cultural programming, community engagement and cultural values.
2019-2020 HEAD START MEAL COUNT
BREAKFAST SNACK (AM) LUNCH SNACK (PM) September 2,299 508 2,442 1,129
October 2,626 197 3,207 1,783 November 2,211 10 2,471 1,392 December 1,795 37 2,006 1,174
January 2,395 0 2,582 1,276
February 2,541 95 2,810 1,486
March 1,106 50 1,220 566 April In-person classes were canceled during May March due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
TOTAL 14,973 897 16,738 8,806
