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| No cartoon could be as cute as the kids really are. |
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The Headstart program began through federal funding during the Johnson administration in 1965 (The War on Poverty), to assist low income kids that are under five years old.
The Obama administration (as with others in the past) are seeking to reduce the program's expense by proposing criteria that would close the doors of some of the local programs.
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/03/149687163/under-scrutiny-some-head-start-programs-in-limbo
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| I know its unfair of me to put up such adorable pics of the kids.... |
President Obama has been working on evaluation of 'deficient' sites that may end in closing some sites.
http://swampland.time.com/2011/11/09/why-obamas-plan-to-fix-head-start-is-not-enough/
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| ...when the President's plan may close some Headstart sites. |
Usually politicians don't get so up close and personal with citizens (especially little ones) from whom his administration may take away services.
What Is Head Start?
Head
Start programs offer comprehensive services to low-income children 3 to 5
years old and their families. Specific services vary by site, but they
include health care, nutrition, social services and more. More than 30
million children have participated in Head Start programs since 1965
.
Health care services:
Well-child care including immunizations, vision and hearing screening,
dental care, screening for health or developmental problems, and health
education for parents.
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| Breakfast is served. |
Child nutrition:
Meals and snacks that provide between one-half and two-thirds of a
child's daily nutritional needs, depending on the length of the child's
program day.
Social services for parents and families:
Referrals to community services, including emergency assistance,
counseling, literacy education, continuing education and employment
training.
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| Parent at Headstart participating in RIF (Reading Is Fun.) |
Early Head Start
serves low-income pregnant women and children under 3 years old.
Services include prenatal and postpartum care and education, home
visits, parent-child activities and health and mental health services.
There has always been lots and lots of discussion about K-12 education, especially since NCLB. Now the focus is going younger.
David Muhlhausen, a research fellow with the conservative think tank
Heritage Foundation, says "it's time for new thinking" when it comes to
early childhood education.
Similar to the 'Race to the Top' federal money scheme, a series of grants for early childhood education would create competition for federal money, with some serious strings attached by the government concerning ways to measure the success of the programs.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/25/govt-offers-500m-state-grants-preschool/
Will the early childhood programs go through the same torture as the K-12 system is?
When money and the economy is involved, its hard to predict what will happen.
The benefits of early childhood intervention are inestimable. Social skills being a positive result.
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133629477/for-kids-self-control-factors-into-future-success
Opportunities for creativity in early childhood creates later success.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=76838288&ps=rs
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| Yes, sweeties, you make America happen. |
In 1969, a Senate hearing about withdrawing fund from PBS invited Mr. Rogers in for a discussion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q
We still have PBS--so, you see--the government can do things right!
And, Mr. Rogers, we miss you. Thank you. I believe you liked me just the way I am.
