New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to manage New Hanover Countys Head Start program. Under the federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NHCS will provide services to 260 economically disadvantaged children at the Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-Kindergarten Center. The Head Start program was previously operated by New Hanover County Community Action, Inc. and subsequently by the federally contracted transition agency Community Development Institute (CDI). The district will provide an additional $464,025 in-kind contribution to support the program. This is a major accomplishment for our district and it shows our commitment to offering a high-quality early education program that positively impacts the children of this community, said Superintendent Dr. Tim Markley. It is our priority to give our students the best possible start in life by preparing them for success in elementary school and beyond.” We are eager to begin work with the Head Start Program. NHCS has significant experience in managing pre-kindergarten programs and providing services to children and families, Dr. Markley added. We look forward to working with community leaders and community partners to ensure the children and families who use these services are the real beneficiaries. NHCS plans to have the program fully operational by June 1, 2014. The district will work closely with CDI to ensure a smooth transition for the children and families being served. A strong focus will be to ensure that students are prepared to be successful in school. This includes providing comprehensive services for health, dental, mental health, nutrition, social and other services for children and their families. Additionally, at least 10 percent of the students who will be served will be students with disabilities. The population to be served includes families with 3 and 4 year old children who are designated as low income and who reside in New Hanover County. NHCS will ensure that the children currently enrolled who are eligible will continue to receive services. As a result of receiving the grant, NHCS will work collaboratively with other agencies and non-profits to ensure that all eligible children are provided a seamless transition into kindergarten. The families will be engaged in the Parents as Teachers Program to ensure they are provided the tools to help their children succeed in school.
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 18:53:04 +0000
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