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Last updated on Tuesday, April 26, 2016
(GREENE CO.) - At the end of this school year, the Head Start location in Eastern Greene County will close its doors.
Start Associate Director Tai Blythem, told Sabrina Westfall of the Greene County Daily World that each year the Pace Community Action Agency program has to be re-evaluated based on federal standards, and the organization has to consider where the biggest needs are.
The past couple of years, the Head Start location housed at Eastern Greene Elementary School has struggled to maintain the necessary number of students. Blythe said next door, the school's preschool class has about 60 students. She noted when the program started in that area, there was no other preschool program available in the area.
As of the completion of this school year in May, the location will no longer have the Head Start classroom, but those in need of services can still obtain them.
The students who would have returned to Head Start next year will be given the choice to either go to the Linton or North Daviess locations.
Also, future students will have the option to take part in the home-based program where students will have the same opportunities as students in the classroom. The home-based program offers individualized lesson plans, referrals as needed and the participants get to visit the classroom twice a month for socializing.
Blythe said some parents prefer the home-based option because it is more convenient. In addition, some parents utilize the Early Head Start program for children up to 3-years-old, which is home based, and continue the same routine.
She also noted the staff at the Eastern Greene location will not be losing their jobs. There are openings at the other locations, so the staff will be shifted to other areas.
Head Start is a federally funded program geared toward offering early education and socializing opportunities to low-income families.
To learn more about Head Start, contact one of the preschool locations or visit www.pacecaa.org/services/head_start.
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