General Information / Secretary
Ext. 219
Head Start
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program that provides education, health, and nutritional services for each enrolled child. Eligible children must be between 3 and 5 years old and meet federally established income guidelines. A variety of social services are also provided to enrolled families. A minimum of ten percent of the total enrollment is set aside to serve children with professionally diagnosed disabilities. Head Start has thirteen centers located throughout Cameron, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. There are also home base projects located in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter counties.
Education
In NTCAC Head Start, we use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool as our preschool curriculum. The Creative Curriculum for Preschool uses exploration and discovery as a way of learning. It enables children to develop confidence, creativity, curiosity and lifelong critical thinking skills. Children improve friendships through learning and play.
Our classrooms are set up in many interest areas; blocks, dramatic play, art, science, math, computer, sand and water play, and library. Not only are they playing and having fun, they are learning many valuable skills, as well a preschool knowledge.
Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to join us in the classroom as often as you are able. Parent involvement activities are designed to support you as the first teacher. Please come to share in meal times, read stories, paint at the easel, build with blocks, pretend in the dramatic play area, and/or share information about your culture, job, or interests with the children!
Head Start helps children get a head start in learning!
Family and Community Engagement
There are a variety of ways for parents to become active in Head Start from volunteering in the classroom to participating in program planning and decision-making.
Head Start staff work with families to identify, establish and work toward individual goals based on specific family circumstances, and provide referrals to a broad range of community services as appropriate. In addition, the program provides a number of family engagement activities throughout the year that focus on school readiness and positive family interaction.
Health
The Head Start Program provides help in obtaining medical and dental services, vision, speech/language, and social/emotional screenings for the children, as needed.
Good health is having one’s body and mind in tip-top condition.
Head Start helps children to get and stay in tip-top condition by:
- Finding problems that may lead to poor health;
- Providing help in obtaining a complete physical examination;
- Seeing that children receive the required immunizations;
- Providing toothpaste and toothbrushes with supervision as to how to use them;
- Screening vision, hearing, and communication to detect possible problems.
Disabilities
Children who have disabilities because of:
- Health Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Speech/Language Impairment
- Developmental Delays
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
will have the opportunity to benefit from a comprehensive developmental program.
Head Start cooperates with other programs and agencies in responding to the individualized needs of the child with disabilities.
Also, the program uses professional consultants along with additional staff members to provide services to children with disabilities.
Food & Nutrition
Northern Tier Corporation’s Head Start Program participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Children who are TANF recipients or who are members of SNAP or FDPIR households or are Head Start participants, are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Contact List
(814) 486-1161
Enrollment / Eligibility
Head Start is a family and child development program for low-income families. Family income is one key factor in determining eligibility. The federal poverty guidelines are used to evaluate family income. In addition, at least 10% of enrollment must be children with disabilities, who have a current IEP (Individual Education Plan).
Your child is eligible for Head Start if you meet the income guidelines and your child is 3 years old through the year prior to kindergarten eligibility.
*Families are automatically eligible if they are 3 years old through the year prior to kindergarten and meet any of the following:
- is a foster child
- is currently homeless
- receiving SNAP (Food Stamps)
- receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- receiving SSI
Documentation
A complete application must include a copy of the following documentation:
- Income Verification – Documentation must reflect your current economic status and must include all sources of income received by the child’s parent / guardian such as: Current pay stub, letter from employer, latest income tax return or W-2, unemployment income, worker’s compensation, child support, SNAP (EBT Card), TANF, disability income, proof of foster care, etc.
- Your Child’s Current Immunization (Shot) Record
- Copy of Your Child’s Birth Certificate
Submitting application
If you need help completing the application, please contact your local Head Start option.
Applications can be dropped off at your local Head Start option or mailed to:
Northern Tier Community Action Corporation-Head Start
PO Box 389
Emporium, PA 15834
PHEAA Work-Study Application 2024
Head Start Application
Head Start Physical Form
Head Start Dental Form
Head Start Food Allergy Form