2023 NACOG Head Start Annual Report

Leading the way through challenging times with the power of innovation and partnerships

Inspiring Tomorrow’s Future Today

serves as a North Star that reminds staff and families of the reason that Head Start exists. As the driver of program success, the mission keeps everyone clear on the direction of the organization.

NACOG proudly operates Head Start programs in a vast region of northern Arizona covering Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai counties. Founded as the national school readiness program, Head Start is dedicated to the promise that all children, regardless of their circumstances at birth, have an equal opportunity for success in school and life.

Early Head Start (EHS) focuses on the healthy development of infants and toddlers including prenatal care. Combining center-based classes with locally designed and homebased options, our programs follow evidence-based best practices in early childhood care and education. Based on a “whole child, whole family” model, Head Start takes a comprehensive, two-generation approach that respects parents as equal partners with their child’s teacher and provides a full range of family services from crisis intervention to goal-setting, job training, and education. Parents are encouraged to be actively engaged in classroom learning and program planning including Head Start governance.

A Message from our Director

In reviewing our Annual Report for 2022-23, you can see the power of partnerships and innovation in every aspect of program services and accomplishments. The challenges faced by our leadership and staff were daunting. Runaway inflation and rising rental costs created overwhelming hardship for families living in poverty, while the availability of Head Start workforce dropped sharply. The National Head Start Association declared a workforce crisis across the country, but staff shortages in northern Arizona were further exacerbated by a lack of available affordable housing. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, our leadership and staff not only rose to meet every challenge but created impressive gains.

Our systemwide commitment to the Pyramid Model provided a framework of collective problem-solving for child behavioral management and family support but also for new-staff onboarding. In times of extreme or prolonged stress, comprehensive services provided by Balance Mental Health and Wellness helped our children, families, and staff to feel safe, held, and supported. Key community partnerships enabled NACOG Head Start to intensify recruiting efforts, deepen relationships with area colleges, and gain approval for critically needed classroom expansion.

We never work alone in fulfilling our vision to inspire change through opportunity for northern Arizona’s children and families. We are deeply grateful for the contribution of hundreds of volunteers and countess community partners who labor beside us in helping our most vulnerable children and families gain stability and move their lives forward. Together we can overcome every obstacle and keep our eyes on the prize—healthy children who are prepared for academic success and eager to learn.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Brown

2022-23 NACOG Head Start Overview

417 infants and toddlers (377 funded)

556 preschool children (599 funded)

895 HeadfamiliesStart/EHS

27 pregnant women

165 unhoused children

58 center-based classes

66 foster children

Partners in family support and intervention

One of the cornerstones of Head Start is whole-family, twogenerational support with proven success in breaking the poverty cycle. Taking evidence-based practices to scale, our programs deliver life-changing support, resources, and opportunities that include comprehensive family services. Parents receive individualized assistance in setting personal and family goals, furthering their education, finding jobs, and growing through leadership opportunities. They learn positive parenting skills and receive support for creating healthy, nurturing, stable home environments.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the value of Head Start in connecting children and families with the larger network of government and community partners played a pivotal role in crisis intervention. Of the 895 families enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start, 748 or 84 percent required urgent support for immediate needs like food, clothing, and shelter. In the years leading up to the pandemic, that number remained comparatively low.

The spiraling inflation and sharp rent increases that followed the pandemic’s economic disruption left many of Arizona’s most vulnerable families in a “severely cost-burdened” position, where at least half of their income went to housing. Along with the danger of having to sacrifice necessities like food and healthcare, these families are extremely vulnerable to eviction and homelessness. The referrals to partnering community resources and federal assistance programs provided by classroom staff and family support specialists were a lifeline for Head Start and Early Head Start families struggling with overwhelming levels of economic insecurity, anxiety, and stress. For children in families who are experiencing homelessness, access to Head Start services is especially critical. Unhoused children are at greater risk for emotional and behavioral problems, serious health issues, and separation from their families. Of the 157 unhoused families served by NACOG Head Start during the 2022-23 academic year, 56 families acquired homes.

Community Impact by the Numbers

$25,557,327 added to regional economy

273 employed by Head Start/ Early Head Start

1,895 children, pregnant women and families served

748 families received crisis intervention

886 families benefited from adult education family services

157 unhoused families served

56 homeless families acquired homes

Innovation in behavioral management

Promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for children from birth to five, the Pyramid Model reduces inappropriate discipline, promotes family engagement, uses data for decision-making, and fosters inclusion. In 2015 when Northern Arizona University first approached NACOG Head Start with grant funding to implement the Pyramid Model at three pilot sites, no one could have imagined the farreaching impact. Based on highly successful pilot center results, NACOG management launched a systemwide implementation strategy that could not have unfolded at a more critical time. The COVID crisis may be over, but its legacy of rising poverty and inequality has left Head Start parents struggling with higher levels of stress, fear, uncertainty, and economic hardship.

NACOG Head Start’s growing expertise in Pyramid Model principles and tools across our vast, four-county region culminated the bold 5-year plan developed in 2019. Sweeping organizational changes were required to support well-trained staff and provide access to professional specialists. Component managers now provide single-team oversight for data systems and program fidelity, from communicating expectations to training and monitoring. Operations managers maintain their focus in the field, supervising center directors and Implementation Support Teams of professional specialists and consultants. Pyramid principles and tools benefit the entire family. Parents learn from real-world classroom observation and staff partners with families to promote child outcomes, from teaching behavioral regulation and friendship skills to emotional literacy and problem-solving.

Partners in mental health support

NACOG Head Start children, families, and staff all benefit from our strong partnership with Balance Mental Health and Wellness. Every child, parent, or guardian enrolled in our program and NACOG Head Start employees are all entitled to three private oneon-one sessions with mental health professionals. Balance consultants also make regularly scheduled monthly visits to each of our centers and provide whatever assistance might be needed, from team building and communications work to guidance in dealing with challenging issues.

A child’s job in a family system is to explore and learn, through experiencing and expressing their emotions and wants. Children are born with all the feelings and none of the skills.

–BECKY KENNEDY

Partners in early education and intervention

Head Start engages parents as equal partners in their child’s education and encourages active participation in program planning. Beyond school readiness, our research-based models of socialemotional guidance and intervention help children self-regulate, identify emotions, and interact positively with others. Parents in our Home Base program learn about the power of including reading, singing, and playing with their children as part of everyday routines. Families receive training on social-emotional development and activities that reinforce new skills.

Every new Head Start/EHS enrollee is screened for concerns that require further evaluation and/or specialized services. Thirty-seven Early Head Start infants and toddlers benefited from an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan). Of the 50 preschool children who had an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for meeting special needs, 29 were

diagnosed with speech or language impairments—an area where early intervention can be especially effective. Head Start maintains a strong partnership with Arizona’s IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) agencies and service providers, resulting in meaningful inclusion for all children.

Regardless of any other challenges, children from homes with a primary language other than English face learning barriers that place them at risk for academic failure. During the 2022-23 academic year, 279 dual language learners benefited from procedures and tools that support bilingual competency and literacy skills.

Public school administrators are strong advocates for Head Start because they see the difference our programs make as children move through the school system. Even in kindergarten, teachers recognize Head Start children by their ability to separate from their parents, socialize, and pay attention.

–MONICA ARMENTA, WINSLOW EARLY HEAD START CENTER DIRECTOR

Partners in family engagement

Engaging parents and families in their children’s education and development is one of the cornerstones of Head Start. Throughout the year, family engagement activities give hardworking Head Start parents the chance to rediscover the joy of relaxing, creating, and playing with their children. Head Start involvement can sometimes provide opportunities for children to participate in programs they might otherwise miss. During the 2022-23 academic year, NACOG Head Start partnered with Girl Scouts to give girls transitioning to kindergarten a chance to participate in the summer Daisy Launch program. Head Start funding enabled families to register for program benefits including summer activity kits and troop membership for fall enrollment.

One of the most popular and highly anticipated family engagement events captures the attention of an entire city. Launched in 2015 as part of the global “Cardboard Challenge” sensation inspired by the documentary Caine’s Arcade, Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Winslow sponsor an annual Cardboard Car Show.

Children and parents work together in designing and building each vehicle—with astounding results. The local Just Cruisin’ Car Club has been partnering with Head Start since the event began, providing free public promotion, donating trophies, and inviting a community vote on category winners.

895 Head Start/ EHS families

458 two-parent families

437 single-parent families

741 at least one parent employed or school/ job training

Daddy’s Car

Camilla’s Butterfly

Waste Management

Daddy’s Car Engine

Chevy

Butterfly Car

Innovation in staff training and support

Responding to unprecedented workforce shortages, NACOG Head Start created strategies for a more comprehensive onboarding program. With the Pyramid Model approach firmly in place, the strategy for our new onboarding process followed a similar tiered pattern in building a framework of knowledge, security, confidence, and trust. The foundational tier includes three days of content that all Head Staff are required to know. The middle tier covers information relating to the Head Start/EHS center the employee will be serving, and the top tier provides training and coaching specific to each position.

NACOG Head Start also dove deeply into staff appreciation and support, including a two-day in-service event in February designed around the theme of Building a Culture of Health and Wellness. Guest speakers and interactive activities introduced information, tools, and supports on a wide range of topics including social-emotional learning for adults, mindful eating, buying nutritious food on a budget, the importance of movement, relaxation techniques,

and health and safety in the classroom. Employees received wellness kits brimming over with useful items, from small kitchen appliances for nutritious meals to self-care items like vitamins, chamomile tea, adult coloring books, travel cups, sleep masks, shoulder massagers, and electric toothbrushes.

The additional services provided by our partnership with Balance Mental Health and Wellness made an exponential difference in helping staff feel safe, held, protected, and supported. Having the regular presence of mental health professionals in the classroom enabled teachers to de-stigmatize mental health discussions and access immediate trauma support for staff, children, and families should a crisis arise.

Partners in recruitment

NACOG Head Start is not alone in our workforce crisis. The National Head Start Association published a series of reports in 2022 and 2023 stating that the dedicated corps of professionals serving the most vulnerable children and families is being pushed to the breaking point. Low compensation, challenging job conditions, high rates of turnovers and vacancies, increased child needs, and better opportunities with other employers have created a spiraling crisis. Local, regional, and statewide partnerships played a pivotal role in NACOG Head Start’s ongoing, intensified recruitment efforts. Leading resources included Arizona’s Department of Economic Security and Department of Education, Arizona Head Start Association, UKG and Indeed.com, area colleges, local newspapers, job fairs, and community job-posting boards.

One of the most unique benefits for NACOG Head Start employees is tuition-free education for required degree or certificate programs and ongoing support for professionaldevelopment. Completion of any credential or degree program earns an immediate raise in pay.

Innovation in workforce development

One of the most unique benefits for NACOG Head Start employees is tuition-free access to continuing education for required degree or certificate programs and ongoing support for professional development. Completion of any credential or degree program earns an immediate raise in pay. We also provide a boot camp staffed by professionals who assist our credential candidates with support for exams, assessment, and a portfolio of competencies. Active partnerships with Northland Pioneer College, Yavapai College, and Coconino Community College provide opportunities for NACOG Head Start to advocate for our staff in Early Childhood Education (ECE) program planning and implementation. Head Start staff who go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree benefit from our partnership with Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

The 2022-23 academic year introduced an exciting expansion in our partnership with Northland Pioneer College (NPC). Longterm strategic plans for locating NACOG Head Start centers on NPC campuses came to life in the City of Winslow. Purchased by NPC with remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, the new modular building was designed to meet Head Start regulations and guidelines. For NPC, this addition is the first step in fulfilling a vision to provide their adult students with on-site options for trusted, highquality early care and education. For Winslow Head Start/EHS staff, the new center offers easy access to NPC’s credentialing programs and hands-on internship opportunities where experienced Head Start teachers are available to oversee, coach, mentor, and provide feedback. Even the impressionable minds of our Head Start preschool children benefit from daily exposure to a model for personal and career growth. The unspoken living message says: You, too, can grow up to be a higher education learner.

Partners in community health and growth

Head Start is seldom recognized for the far-reaching positive impact we have on the communities we serve. During the 2022-23 academic year, NACOG Head Start programs employed a staff of 273 and added $25,557,327 to the regional economy. The presence of Head Start raises the adult educational level and contributes to workforce expansion. Along with tuition-free higher education for our staff, the availability of trusted, high-quality childcare enables parents to pursue educational and work opportunities. During the 2022-23 academic year, NACOG received approval to purchase three new modular buildings that will expand our ability to serve families in Williams, Camp Verde, and Chino Valley. The Camp Verde expansion opened in 2022, adding classrooms and relieving a long waiting list. The new Chino Valley and Williams centers will be ready for 2023-24 enrollment.

Communities also benefit from Head Start’s commitment to whole-child, whole-family wellbeing, from medical, oral, and mental health services for children to parent education on nutrition and appropriate primary and preventative care. While many year-end health statistics are approaching prepandemic levels, the winter RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) epidemic resulted in exceptionally high absenteeism and more obstacles in helping parents make and follow through with primary/preventative care appointments.

Family Services Snapshot

886 used at least one family service

779 participated in nutrition education

771 families completed preventative healthcare education

385 fathers involved in child development activities

Preschool Year-End Child Health Profile

98% with health insurance

99% up-to-date immunizations or exempt

46% up-to-date primary/preventative care

97% with ongoing source of medical care

92% with ongoing source of dental care

Early Head Start Year-End Health Profile

91% with health insurance

72% up-to-date immunizations or exempt

30% up-to-date primary/preventative care

90% with ongoing source of medical care

70% with ongoing source of dental care

Program governance and funding

Head Start provides a strong model of family advocacy and leadership, with parents and families promoting their children’s education and development and holding key roles in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Bringing together representatives from our four-county service area, the NACOG Head Start Policy Council determines policy and ensures compliant, quality programs. In addition to program planning, this governing board reviews and approves funding applications, enrollment and recruitment plans, and selfassessment process results.

2022-23 Head Start Policy Council

Loretta Holdsworth Chairperson (Nye EHS)

Athyna Rock

Vice Chairperson (Yavapai EHS)

Jessica Acosta Lopez Secretary (Prescott Valley EHS)

Shelby Scott

Navajo County Representative (Show Low)

Desirae Silvers

Executive Board Alternate (Holbrook)

Marvin Alderman

Executive Board Alternate (Snowflake)

Vacant

Yavapai County Representative

Vacant

Apache County Representative

Flora Hatch – Coconino County Representative (Siler)

NACOG Independent Audit Results

Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C. Certified Public Accountants are currently auditing the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 audit period that ended June 30, 2023. The independent Audit report will be formally presented to the NACOG Regional Council in February 2024.

NACOG Head Start Funding by Source

$10,966,108

Head Start Preschool Fund

$9,813,497

Early Head Start Fund

$781,841

American Rescue Plan

Act Funds

$21,561,446

Federal Public Funds Total (Dept. of HHS, ACF, Office of Head Start)

$499,221

State Public (USDA, Arizona Dept.of Education, CACFP)

$3,496,660

In-Kind (local/public donations)

$25,557,327

Total Monies

2023 – 2024 Projected Budget

$12,838,174

Head Start Preschool Fund $9,738,473

Early Head Start Fund $4,806,294

Local Donations

$640,823

State Public (USDA, AZDOE, CACFP)

NACOG Head Start Centers

Apache County

ROUND VALLEY

940 East Maricopa Drive

Springerville 928-551-6696

Preschool Center Base

EHS Home Base

ST. JOHNS

610 West Cleveland

St. Johns 928-337-4211

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center Base

Coconino County

CLARK HOMES

1000 N. Clark Circle

Flagstaff 928-774-4021

Preschool Center Base

CROMER ELEMENTARY

7150 Silver Saddle Road

Flagstaff 928-714-7667

Preschool Center Base

FLAGSTAFF EARLY HEAD START

4000 N. Cummings Street

Flagstaff 928-214-8461

EHS Center/Home Base

KILLIP

2300 E 6th Avenue

Flagstaff 928-482-5078

Preschool Center Base

PAGE 11 Cameron Road

Page 928-645-8080

Preschool Center Base

PONDEROSA

2500 N. 1st Street

Flagstaff 928-779-3244

EHS Center Base

PUENTE DE HOZHO

3401 N. Fourth Street

Flagstaff 928-900-5675

Preschool Center Base

SILER

3581 North Fanning

Flagstaff 928-526-1069

Preschool Center Base

SUNNYSIDE EARLY HEAD START

1825 N. Main Street

Flagstaff 928-773-7970

EHS Center/Home Base

WILLIAMS

310 W. Sherman

Williams 928-635-4273

Preschool/EHS Center Base

Navajo County

BLUE RIDGE HEAD START/EHS

1200 W. White Mountain Blvd

Lakeside 928-358-5274

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center Base

CLEAR CREEK

Old Country Club/Airport Rd.

Winslow 928-289-2651

Preschool Center Base

HOLBROOK

165 West Arizona

Holbrook 928-524-6831

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center/Home Base

SHOW LOW NEIGHBORHOOD LEARNING WHEELS

20 North 6th Street

Show Low 928-537-7716

Preschool Center Base

EHS Home Base

SNOWFLAKE

680 West 4th South

Snowflake 928-536-7330

Preschool Center Base

EHS Home Base

WINSLOW

Old Country Club/Airport Rd.

Winslow 928-289-2651

Preschool Center Base

WINSLOW EARLY HEAD START

710 N. Apache Avenue

Winslow 928-289-2122

EHS Center/Home Base

Yavapai County

ASH FORK

450 West Lewis

Ash Fork 928-637-1027

Preschool Center Base

BEAVER CREEK

4810 E. Beaver Creek Road

Rimrock 928-567-4631 x 1002

Preschool Center Base

CAMP VERDE

353 W. Apache Trail

Camp Verde 928-567-3182

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center/Home Base

CHINO VALLEY

1985 N. Road 1 West

Chino Valley 928-636-1076

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center/Home Base

COTTONWOOD

270 East Mingus

Cottonwood 928-634-8236

Preschool Center Base

HUMBOLDT

6411 N. Robert Road

Prescott Valley 928-759-5112

Preschool Center Base

LIBERTY

3300 North Lake Valley Road

Prescott Valley 928-777-9778

Preschool Center Base

NYE CHILD AND FAMILY

DEVELOPMENT CENTER

8623 E. Spouse Drive

Prescott Valley 928-237-5119

EHS Center Base

PANTHER PATH

6955 A Panther Path

Prescott Valley 928-772-7726

Preschool Center Base

EHS Center Base

PRESCOTT VALLEY EHS

3045 North Tani Road

Prescott Valley 928-772-7274

EHS Center/Home Base

YAVAPAI EARLY HEAD START

601 Black Hills Drive

Clarkdale 928-634-8308

EHS Center/Home Base