What's going on at CCCCHS

A few words from our Director...

Beginnings….

There are so many reasons to love this time of year. School is starting, the weather is beautiful, staff are once again employed, and all of us at Head Start and Healthy Start are bonded together with a single purpose; to assist young children in their overall growth, and help families reach their goals.

This year brings a big change to Head Start! After years of planning, we are finally able to increase the number of class days for all three and four year old children. Although the previous “combination model” of service was very successful, children only attended school two or three days per week. The new “center based” model allows them to attend school four days each week (Monday through Thursday). This amounts to 34 additional days for four year olds and 68 for three. Families will still receive home visits from their teacher and advocate a minimum of two times per year, with additional visits as needed by the advocate. Other aspects of the program will remain the same.

I am excited to announce the addition of two wonderful centers this year! We are thrilled to have classrooms at the North Clackamas School Districts, “Wichita School.” This is an “up and coming” center that will house many community agencies/groups.

Also, we added an afternoon class at our Estacada facility to serve children living in Estacada. This site is shared with the Red Barn Cooperative Preschool, which operates each morning.

There is no shortage of news this year. Our two classrooms behind the current facility on River Road are ready for children!! This construction project has been long in coming, and still needs the gymnasium, courtyard and offices. What has been completed is beautiful and I want to thank the Board of Directors for their support. I especially want to thank Jerry Foy, a board member who has clocked hundreds of hours to see this through!

Healthy Start staff has been a pleasure to get to know and work with in the last few months since we were awarded the grant! They are such dedicated workers. We started our collaboration with budget cuts from the State, which forced the lay off of one person and the reduction of hours for others. Despite that, the program is thriving. Soon the State will make another funding decision that may affect the operation of Healthy Start. I am hoping it will be for the best!

Thanks to all of the dedicated Head Start and Healthy Start employees for making this a great beginning to a successful year!

Stay well and be happy,
Sue

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending”

—Maria Robinson