In June 2002, Lawrence County Social Services, Inc. was awarded a grant to run the Head Start Program in Lawrence County. Head Start is overseen by the Employment and Education Department. There are four facilities in Lawrence County that house the Head Start Program: The Learning Tree Child Care and Preschool Center, New Castle Family Development Center, Ellwood City Center, and Villa Maria Center.

We offer Part-Year, Full-Year and Home-Based options. The Part-Year option is available from September through May while the Full-Year option runs all year. The Home-Based option requires 1 1/2 hour home visit each week by a Head Start Family Service Worker and a 4 hour socialization activity planned twice per month.

The goal of the Head Start program is to develop the whole child: socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. This is done through a well-balanced program of health, education, social services, and parent involvement.

Head Start believes that all children should be provided with a safe and supportive learning environment. In each classroom there is a degreed teacher, an assistant teacher and approximately 19 children. We use the Creative Curriculum to provide each child with a variety of learning experiences that are appropriately suited to his or her individual developmental needs. These needs are determined through our screening and assessment procedures, classroom observations and interviews with parents.

Professionals examine Head Start children for any health problems. They arrange speech, hearing and vision screenings and support the family in maintaining the child's immunizations, physicals, and dental examinations.

Mental health and other services are available to meet the special needs of children with disabilities and their families. Our program is inclusive of children with special needs. Parents of children with special needs are encouraged to apply.

Children are accepted into the Head Start program without regards to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, or sex.