Head Start recognized for decades of work with children

BROOKVILLE — For four decades, the Jefferson/Clarion Head Start program has been helping students overcome developmental problems, a service that U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson recently recognized in an address at the U.S. Capitol, during which he said Head Start is "play with a purpose."

Thompson — who on Wednesday visited Pine Creek Elementary School in the Brookville Area School District, where he presented Head Start a U.S. House certificate in recognition of the nonprofit's work — elaborated:

"I have seen children of all ages engaged in purposeful activity. For 40 years, they have provided families and children of all ages with comprehensive education and health services to income eligible children to ensure they will be healthier and better prepared for success in school and life."

Jefferson-Clarion County Head Start currently serves about 600 children each year across 10 communities and two counties.

"We are blessed with a really strong Head Start program in this county," Brookville Area School District Superintendent Erich May said. "It is a great help with all of the school districts. They are getting these kids ready for us before they get to kindergarten.

"Generally speaking, these kids come to school better prepared. They have great teachers, great aides and just great people."

Like other organizations, Head Start faces staffing problems and space issues.

"It is difficult finding adequate space. It can be very challenging. We are very appreciative for having these two classrooms in the elementary school," Head Start Executive Director Pam Johnson said. "We thank the Brookville Area School for these two rooms. This makes the transition problem for the students so much easier. It is a win-win."

Head Start's staff works with a high rate of students with disabilities.

"It is shocking that we have 44% of our children with some type of disability," Johnson said. "That's very high. The state average is about 20%. The disability might be speech or physical development delays. There are other children with autism.

"We find many of the students have great motor skills, but their language skills are less. We find many parents are (paying more attention to) their electronic devices (than their children).

Early Head Start Director Missy Schmader said, "When the children sit in front of a screen it limits their language skills."

The Head Start staff is trying a new approach.

"This is our fifth year of PIBS (Positive Intervention Behavior Support) and the results have been impressive," Schmader said. "We are real excited about PIBS. We used to send children home because of their behavior. Last year, we did not send anyone home."

The level of students with disabilities is down to 15% by the time they reach high school, according to May.

"Some families suffer from Opioid or alcohol problems. We do have about five home visits in each county," Johnson said. "We also have some families that are homeless and some who need assistance with utility bills."

She said Head Start works with families to "help them set goals," along with Community Action and Intermediate Unit 6.

Thompson commended Head Start "for going above and beyond" on a daily basis to ensure children receive the education "they need to prepare for their futures."