Tri-Town Head Start Seeks New Students

JOHNSTON – Tri-Town Community Action Agency CEO Joseph DeSantis announced this week that the agency’s Head Start program is recruiting new students for spots at its four local sites.

“With about seven weeks until we begin the new school year, we’re continuing our recruitment efforts to identify more children who can benefit from this high-quality early education program,” DeSantis explained. “As September approaches, it’s important that parents begin the process of applying now, so they don’t miss a chance for their kids to enroll.”

Head Start is free to children from families who meet federal income guidelines – a family of three with annual income of $20,090 would qualify, for example – or other qualifications.

“Aside from wages, we screen families for homelessness, recent loss of residence, Supplemental Security Income, and other factors that may still qualify their children for Head Start,” explained Family and Community Outreach Specialist Barbara Chadwick. “Even if someone thinks they may not qualify under the income guidelines, I always encourage them to call us so that we can do a full review of their circumstances.”

Tri-Town runs Head Start centers at its main office, 1126 Hartford Ave., Johnston; 79 Waterman Ave. and 2204 Mineral Spring Ave. in North Providence; and 185 Main St. in Burrillville. All centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and rated by the Bright Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System, Chadwick noted.

In addition to the host communities, the local program also serves Smithfield, North Smithfield, Foster, Glocester, Scituate, and Burrillville.

Currently, Tri-Town has an enrollment target of 134 preschool students in Head Start and 58 infants, toddlers, and newborns in the Early Head Start program, Chadwick explained, adding that the program is open to children from birth to 5, so expectant mothers can also apply.

As of July 21, Chadwick said, there were about 20 spots available, though “we look to gather as many applications as possible to add to our waiting list that can be used in case of drops.”

To start the application process, contact Tri-Town Community Action Head Start at (401) 519-1979 or Barbara Chadwick at bchadwick@tri-town.org. More information, including the Parents Handbook and annual report, is available on the Tri-Town website, www.tri-town.org

Photo: Tri-Town Community Action Head Start preschool teacher Robyn Geremia leads her students through a reading lesson at the Waterman Avenue site. The agency is seeking applicants for the 2015-16 Head Start school year. Call (401) 519-1979 to apply. [Tri-Town Community Action Agency]