Head Start Disabilities

Disabilities

The disabilities component helps provide children with special needs, with the necessary services to ensure continued growth and success. Early identification and intervention will help to secure this goal. It is the philosophy of Head Start to include children with special needs in the program. Ten percent (10%) of its funded enrollment is allocated for children with special needs.

Special Needs Services and Goals 2002-2003

The Agency's Head start program firmly upholds the belief that the early years of life between birth and preschool are critical for developmental learning and growth. it Is during this period that children's cognitive, communicative, social and emotional development is most influenced, in either a positive or negative manner. if special needs are recognized, addressed and diagnosed during these early years, children with suspected and/or diagnosed special needs will strengthen their chances of becoming competent, functioning and Independent adults.

It is also the belief of the Head Start program that children with special needs benefit from inclusion. In our inclusive preschool classrooms, children with special needs truly have a "Head Start" towards achieving their fullest potential.

The overall purpose of the special needs service area is to ensure that children with special needs receive comprehensive services and are included in the full range of the program to which they are entitled under the Head start Program Performance Standards (45CFR Part 1308.1)

By striving to meet the overall purpose of the Head Start Program Special Needs Service Area₁we are committed to the following specific objectives to maintain and improve our services to children with special needs and their families:

	To equip our parents with the tools needed to be an effective advocate for their children.
	To increase training opportunities for staff and parents regarding services to children with severe special needs using "Parent and Staff Needs" assessment forms.
	To ensure that the agreement with the Local Education Agency (LEA) is signed and in effect for the 2002-2003 school year.
	To establish agreements with other agencies and organizations servicing children and families with special needs.
	To ensure that facilities are accessible and comply with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act
	To facilitate Inter-component coordination to ensure the full range of comprehensive services given to non-disabled children and families are available to every enrolled child with a special need.