Serving Pregnant Women & Families With Children, Birth to Five Years Old in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall & Wetzel Counties of West Virginia.

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History of our Agency

Head Start Nationally

The overall goal of Head Start is to promote the "social competence" of children and serve the neediest of the needy children and families in our communities. Social Competence means everyday effectiveness in dealing with both the present environment and later responsibilities in school and life.

Head Start, a comprehensive early childhood program for low-income children and their families, was funded in 1965 as a part of the War on Poverty. It grew out of the effort to break the cycle of poverty that existed at that time. The program began as a summer program, but soon, the experts evolved the programming to full year, part day. In 1970, parents expressed their strong desire to be meaningfully realized that the way to help young children to increase their competency, the program was expanded involved in the important decision of the program that affected their children. 

Head Start programs are guided to have quality programming as set forth by the Performance Standards as well as other policies that have emerged over its near 46-year history. These standards and policies specify that Head Start programs must deliver a wide range of services to ensure comprehensive care including health, education, parent involvement, social services, and disability services. The latest governing regulations are found as part of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, December 12, 2007.

Partnering - Staff and Families

The program is designed to maximize the strengths and unique experiences of each child and family. Parents are seen as the principle influence on their children's development and are direct participants and decision-makers in the program. Head Start staff, including the Director, the component coordinators and supervisors, the teaching staff, the home visitors, the family service workers, the health and disabilities staff, the secretaries, the kitchen aides and the bus drivers are expected to work together to support the spirit and philosophy of the Head Start program which is based on mutual respect, self-worth, and the provision of supportive and nurturing relationships.

Then and Now

Northern Panhandle Head Start Incorporated began services in 1967 and the grantee was a Community Action Agency. This grantee ceased to exist and the program was picked up by the state of West Virginia. Finally, on January 24, 1979, a single purpose Board of Director's was formed and the corporation of Northern Panhandle Head Start, Inc. began to receive the Head Start grants from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, and Region III as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

 

Our program’s strengths are many. Our staff of professionals from the early childhood educators, health care and social services staff, state certified bus drivers and management team, work together to provide quality services for children and their family members. The Board of Directors actively participates in program governance oversight. Partnerships are forged with local education and birth to three agencies for seamless transition of children.   Enhanced mental health services are provided for children and families by the HealthyCHILD program through the Office of Child Development at the University of Pittsburgh. Staff is engaged in advocacy efforts through participation on numerous community networking committees.   Parents are engaged in all aspects of programming and encouraged to assist with its design.  NPHS has served as a pilot program for several state and national Head Start initiatives.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Many opportunities are available in the Head Start program for an individual to enhance the lives of children. Professional, homemakers, grandparents, students of colleges or universities and Head Start parents support our programming by offering their expertise in learning to our children and their families.

 

 

Community Partnerships

We welcome individuals, professionals, civic groups, businesses, local organizations or others who may be interested in supporting the mission of our agency and enhance the lives of children and families we serve.