Head Start is a Federal program serving economically disadvantaged Birth through five-year-old children and families. It is a comprehensive child development program designed to enhance children's educational experiences, social-emotional development, physical development, language and communication abilities, and
overall successful life experiences.

Children in Head Start receive educational, health and nutritional services. Head Start strives to provide a learning environment that is safe, healthy and happy in order to build confidence and self-esteem. Head Start provides children with activities to enhance their mental, social and physical well-being, building skills for successful learning.

Children in the program receive vision and hearing screenings. They also receive dental and medical exams with follow-ups if needed. Mental Health and other services are available for children and families with special needs.

Head Start recognizes that parents are the most important influence on a child's development. Head Start encourages parent involvement at home and in the classroom. Head Start also assists families to find resources and access needed social services.

The Center-based programs are designed to provide services to children ages Birth through 5 in a school setting. The children are given the opportunity to socialize with other children. They also receive a healthy meal and snack each day. The children learn about healthy habits such as hand washing and daily teeth brushing.

Currently, ESC 14 Head Start operates Center-based programs for children ages 3-5 in:
Albany ISD
Anson ISD
Breckenridge ISD
Colorado City ISD
Hamlin ISD
Haskell ISD
Merkel ISD - Tye campus
Moran ISD
Rotan ISD
Stamford ISD
Sweetwater ISD

ESC 14 Head Start also operates Early Head Start Center-based programs for children ages Birth through 3 in:
Sweetwater ISD

The Head Start Home-Based program provides services in the home for one and one-half hours weekly with the assistance of the parent. Two times a month children and parents are brought together for socialization opportunities.

Currently, we operate Home-based programs in:
Rochester ISD
Rule ISD
Haskell ISD
Stamford ISD

Lenora Peterson, Director, Center for Young Learners and Head Start
Phone: 325-675-8631
lenora@esc14.net

Nancy Morgan, Head Start Child Outcomes Education Consultant and Disability Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8656
E-mail: nmorgan@esc14.net

Norma Bonner, Head Start Child Outcomes Educaton Consultant and Disabilities Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8660
E-mail: nbonner@esc14.net

Angie Mendoza, Head Start Mental Health, Family/Community Partnership Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8682
E-mail: amendoza@esc14.net

Paula McDuff,R.N. & Head Start Health Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8683
E-mail: pmcduff@esc14.net

Anna Karen Frost, Head Start Education Parent Involvement Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8626
E-mail: afrost@esc14.net

Natasha Jacobs, Head Start Parent Involvement Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8691
E-Mail: njacobs@esc14.net

Susan O'Brien, Community Partnership Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8634
E-Mail: sobrien@esc14.net

Gerranda Brookes-Smith
Mental Health/Family, Community Partnership Consultant
Phone: 325/675-8601
E-mail: gbsmith@esc14.net

VaLynda Miller, Early Childhood & PPCD Consultant
Phone: 325-675-8614
E-mail:
vamiller@esc14.net

Ricca Mahaffey, PROMIS Technical Support
Phone: 325-675-8663
E-mail: rmahaffey@esc14.net

Emilia Hernandez, Head Start Home Visitor
Phone: 325-675-8677
E-mail: ehernandez@esc14.net

Beth Alls, Head Start Family Service Worker
Phone: 325-675-8692

Kay Brown, Head Start Secretary
Phone: 325-675-8685
E-Mail: kbrown@esc14.net

Rosemary Martinez, Head Start Secretary
Phone: 325-675-8602
E-Mail: rmartinez@esc14.net

To browse Region 14’s
Workshop Catalog Click Here.

At the Center for Young Learners, Head Start has set up many Community Partnerships with which we collaborate for resources for our Head Start families. We have a complete list of our Community Partners in our Community Resource Directory, which is given to our Head Start families at the beginning of each school year. If you want more information about Region 14 ESC Head Start Community Partners, please contact Susan O'Brien, Community Partnership Consultant at 325-675-8634 or email sobrien@esc14.net. Also, if you are interested in becoming one of our Community Partners, give Susan a call.
"The depth of a community can be judged by the way the adults take care of its children."