Head Start Program
Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development
programs which serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women,
and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall
goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income
families.
The Head Start program is administered by the Head Start Bureau, Administration
for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services.
Grants
are awarded by the ACF Regional Offices and the Head Start Bureau's
American Indian and Migrant Program Branches directly to local public
agencies, private organizations, Indian Tribes and school systems for
the purpose of operating Head Start programs at the community level.
The Head Start program has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive
and high quality services designed to foster healthy development in
low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide
a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early
childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition;
and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start
services is responsive and appropriate to each child's and family's
developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience.
The Head Start program in San Luis Obispo County is operated by the
Economic Opportunity Commission of San Luis Obispo County. Children
who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities.
They
also
receive
free medical
and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors
and outdoors in a safe setting.
The Economic Opportunity Commission of San Luis Obispo County Head Start/Early Head Start Program makes special efforts to ensure that children with special needs are able to participate in all aspects of the program either in an inclusive home- based or preschool classroom environment. The program reserves at least 10% of its enrollment slots for children with disabilities and no child will be denied enrollment because of a disability.
A variety of programs are available for parents, including full-day,
full-year for parents working or going to school; part-day, full-year;
part-day, part-year; and other options. For more information, please
contact the center closest to your home:
| Atascadero (also serves Templeton) |
(805) 466-0417 |
| Cambria (also serves Cayucos) |
(805) 927-0830 |
| Five Cities (serves Arroyo Grande,Grover Beach,
Pismo Beach, Oceano) |
(805) 473-1657 |
| Nipomo |
(805) 929-3366 |
| Paso Robles (also serves San Miguel) |
(805) 238-5323 |
| San Luis Obispo |
(805) 594-1752 or
(805) 542-0320 |
| Sunnyside (serves Los Osos and Morro Bay) |
(805) 528-3717 |
