Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri
215 N. Elson,
P.O. Box 966,
Kirksville, Missouri 63501 CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US
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Headstart
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The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school.Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. They engage parents in their children's learning and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs. Eligibility requirements include income, child's age, special needs of the child, families' employment status and special needs of the family.Head Start continues to strive to promote intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth and development of children while supporting parents in their role as the primary nurturer and educator of their child.
In 1964, The Great Society, as envisioned by President Lyndon Johnson, was a sweeping plan to improve the lives of all Americans, regardless of their circumstances. Inspired by President Kennedy and his New Frontier, Johnson pledged to fulfill his promise of equal opportunity for all by enacting several comprehensive changes within the federal government. In August of that same year, the Economic Opportunity Act was signed into law by President Johnson creating the nationwide Community Action Network.
Community Action was a bold idea, especially for the federal government. It handed over control to the local level, so that programs were geared specifically for target population needs. This concept, maximum feasible participation, represented a new paradigm in the government and many sectors were wary of its innovative ideas. President Johnson selected a member of President Kennedys inner circle to head up the newly formed Office of Economic Opportunity Sargent Shriver.
Shriver was head of Peace Corps in the Kennedy administration and married to Kennedys sister, Eunice. He had proved himself to be a capable leader and President Johnson admired his abilities. President Johnson, legendary for his acumen in recruiting key personnel, offered the position to Shriver and would not take no for an answer. Shriver was installed as the first head of the OEO in October 11, 1964 and leapt into action.