Head Start Taking Enrollments for Fall

Head Start programs serving the San Fernando Valley are taking enrollment for the 1998-99 school year.

The programs help children from low-income families prepare for kindergarten and help their parents prepare for the future.

Three local organizations, which provide free Head Start services throughout the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, are funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

The Child Care Resource Center Head Start, which operates three sites in Van Nuys, serves families in that community as well as Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and Encino.

The Latin American Civic Assn. has 28 sites serving residents living in and around North Hollywood, Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Pacoima, West Hills, Woodland Hills and parts of Santa Clarita.

The Volunteers of America Head Start program has nine sites serving North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Studio City, Tujunga and Sunland.

Head Start preschools take children 3 and 4, with priority given to children who will be 4 by Dec. 2. Most sites have a waiting list.

Enrollment is based on family income. To qualify, a family of four must make less than $16,450, and a family of eight must make less than $27,650.

Head Start classes run from September to June each year, either from 8 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 3 or 4 p.m., depending on the location.

In addition to educating the children, the 35-year-old program also provides health, nutrition, parenting education and other social services to help parents maintain the boost that Head Start gives their students, organizers said.

“In order to reach that child and make a difference for that child, you have to reach the whole family,” said Veronica Sanchez, parent involvement coordinator for the VOA Head Start program.

For information, call the Child Care Resource Center at (818) 755-1000; the Latin American Civic Assn. at (818) 361-8641; or the Volunteers of America at (818) 980-2287.