Last week, Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Baltimore City, Harford and Carroll Counties welcomed parents with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in tow back to school. Throughout our 17 sites, Catholic Charities has nearly 1,000 very young children enrolled in our early education programs, according to Liza Frye, Administrator of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.
In the Head Start of Baltimore City, teachers welcomed 667 three to four-year-olds into their cheerful classrooms. In the Early Head Start and Head Start of Carroll County, teachers and administrators welcomed 191 infants to four-year-old into their care. And, at the Early Head Start of Harford County 60 very small students – ranging from infants to two-year-olds arrived in their parent’s arms ready to meet their new caregivers.
To teach, care and encourage these very young children and provide a range of programs that benefit the whole family, Catholic Charities employs 48 Head Start teachers, 48 Teaching Assistants, 14 Early Head Start Teachers and many Home Visitors and Family Support Coordinators (Case Managers) in Baltimore City, Harford and Carroll Counties.
Click the link below or call to learn more about the Early Head Start and Head Start services.
Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City: 667-600-3783
Carroll County Head Start and Early Head Start: 667-600-2571
Harford County Early Head Start: 667-600-2160
Historic Background: Head Start started in 1965 as a program for preschoolers and was initiated as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Catholic Charities was one of the first Head Start programs in Baltimore City which opened in 1968.
Today, three and four-year-olds comprise 80 percent of our Head Start students while Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.