Dominique, age 3, enjoys learning activities at a Save the Children Early Head Start center in Louisiana.
Dominique, age 3, enjoys learning activities at a Save the Children Early Head Start center in Louisiana.
Giving Children a Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded program that provides no cost comprehensive services to pregnant women and children ages birth to 5 and their families who:
- Meet income eligibility requirements
- Have identified disabilities, such as physical and developmental delays
- Are in foster care
- Are experiencing homelessness
Services include early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent, family, and community engagement. Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first teacher and assists families in achieving their goals for education, employment, and housing by providing links to other community services.
Save the Children Head Start was awarded its first Head Start grant in 2011. Currently, we administer Head Start and Early Head Start programs in rural communities in six states – Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Indiana.
To provide Head Start children and their families with high quality services, we hire the most qualified staff and then provide initial and ongoing intensive training and professional development. Transform classrooms and playgrounds into safe, fun and welcoming environments. We equip our teachers with research-based curriculums and classroom materials that help stimulate young minds and activate little hands and bodies.
As one of a few multi-state Head Start providers in the country, Save the Children Head Start can achieve cost savings through scale. We draw on the rich early childhood expertise of our staff and lead training and mentoring opportunities. Plus, as a Head Start provider that focuses exclusively on rural America, we are proud to build early childhood development capacity in communities that need it most.
Are you interested in working in a Save the Children Head Start program? Check out career opportunities here!
Head Start Awareness Month
October is Head Start Awareness Month, and it hopes to bring awareness to this critical program that benefits millions of families and children in the United States. Head Start assists children belonging to low-income families by providing them with a framework meeting their psychosocial, emotional, nutritional, and health needs. Children are given a boost until the age of five, easing the pressure on their families.
Where We Work
Arkansas Head Start
Currently funded to serve 192 Head Start & Early Head Start children and families in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, Drew, St. Francis & Woodruff Counties.
Eastern Arkansas Administration Office
224 N Rosser Street
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 494-4010
Southeast Arkansas Administration Office
447 West Gaines Street
Monticello, AR 71655
(870) 224-8017
Louisiana Head Start
Currently funded to serve 1,091 Head Start and Early Head Start children, families, and expectant mothers in Jefferson Davis, Evangeline, Natchitoches, DeSoto, Red River, and St. Landry Parishes.
Jefferson Davis, Evangeline and St. Landry Parish Administration Office
8736 Highway 182 North
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone (337) 467-7434
Red River Parish Administration Office
319 North Street
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457
(318) 357-2213
North Carolina Head Start
Save the Children Head Start currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Cabarrus, Montgomery, Moore and Stanly Counties, funded to serve 461 children and families.
Cabarrus County Administration Office
402 Penny Lane
Concord, North Carolina 28025
(980) 777-1462
South Piedmont Administration Office
404-A N. Main Street
Troy, North Carolina 27371
(910) 606-4042
Northeastern Indiana Head Start
Save the Children Head Start currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Blackford, Jay, Randolph, and Wells Counties, currently funded to serve 98 children and families.
Northeast Indiana Administration Office
304 Blaine Pike
Portland, Indiana 47371
(206) 726-5789
Oklahoma Head Start
Save the Children Head Start currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Le Flore County, funded to serve 130 children and families.
Oklahoma Administrative Office
706 N Pocola Blvd.
Pocola, Oklahoma 74902
(479) -357-6919
Tennessee Head Start
Save the Children Head Start currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties, funded to serve 324 children and families.
Tennessee Administrative Office
142 Nelson Street
Ripley, TN 38063
(662) 452-5098
This website is supported by Grant Numbers 06CH011960, 06CH012066, 06CH012203, 06CH011994, 06CH011962, 06CH012235, 04CH012619, 04CH012118, 06CH012067, 04CH012003, and 05CH012822 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of SCUS Head Start Programs, Inc. or Save the Children Federation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.