Why We’re Here

What is Head Start all about? Here’s a simple description of our mission:

Head Start is a Federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development.

Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development. Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. These programs help build relationships with families that support family well-being and many other important areas.

In Mahoning County, Alta also operates an Early Head Start (EHS) program. Early Head Start  programs serve infants and toddlers under the age of 3, as well as pregnant women. EHS programs provide intensive comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families, and to pregnant women and their families.

Early Head Start is designed to nurture healthy attachments between parent and child (and child and caregiver). Services encompass the full range of a family’s needs from pregnancy through a child’s third birthday.