A group of 14 exchange students and faculty from Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taiwan recently visited the Community Services Consortium Head Start center in Newport as part of their two-week studies while at Oregon State University.
OSU Associate Professor Sharon Rosenkoetter, who teaches in the Human Development and Family Sciences department, accompanied the group. Rosenkoetter also directs the Study Abroad in Taiwan Program, which gives OSU students an opportunity to take classes while living in Taiwan and learning more about their culture over a 10-week program.
Suzanne Miller, CSC Head Start director, and Jan Morden, education, disabilities, mental health coordinator, gave students a tour of the building and grounds before everyone gathered together to learn about Head Start. Taiwan doesn’t have a program similar to Head Start, so the visiting group was eager to learn more and had plenty of questions. Miller explained that the Head Start program is more than 40 years old and is for 3 to 4-year-old children from low-income households. She stressed that Head Start isn’t a preschool or a daycare.
“The heart of Head Start is holistic. We’re really taking care of the whole child. This isn’t just a school. School is one part, but we also take care of the social and emotional needs of the child,” she said. Head Start currently operates eight classes in three Lincoln County locations, Newport, Toledo and Lincoln City. Children attend class three days a week, and an average classroom size is about 20 students. Every aspect of the child’s needs are evaluated. “We make sure they have dental screenings and health screenings, and we do hearing and vision tests,” Miller said.
“However, I think what is also key is the parental involvement. We really involve the parents.” Each month parents attend meetings, and they are involved in the policy council - one of Head Start’s governing bodies - so they have a say in hiring and changes to the program. Head Start teacher advocates visit parents and the children during monthly home visits. Morden said Head Start also works with special needs students, and part of her job is to make sure the children receive the services they require. Head Start is federally funded and also receives state government grants. This year, CSC Head Start received government stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which it is using to help with staff training and new educational requirements for teachers.
Miller shared with the students the results of long-term studies of Head Start that children from the program have increased high school graduation rates, fewer grade repetitions and better emotional development. It also helps move families out of poverty.
One student asked Miller about the future of Head Start and whether she saw the program growing. “I think because the forecast is kind of gloomy for the near future, financially, it means that more families are going to need Head Start’s kind of help,” said Miller. “Right now, we really want to serve more of Lincoln County. For us to get the word out there is so important to let families know we’re here. We’re helping lift those families and those children up so they can become partners with others in building a better world.”
CSC Head Start is currently recruiting new students for next year. Contact any CSC Head Start location for an application.
