Our Mission

Speaking with one voice for West Virginia's young children and families by:

• involving parents as decision makers
• advocating for high quality services
• strengthening partnerships on the local and state level
• providing statewide training for early childhood programs
• circulating key information to local Head Start programs

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Attention Head Start Programs! If you have updates for the WVHSA Web Site, please email them to: webmaster@wvhsa.org

News & Views
About Head Start

Pre-K Message from Lena Rapp

Association Profile

The West Virginia Head Start Association represents twenty-four (24) Head Start programs statewide. Each Head Start program is unique in providing services to their families to meet the specific needs in the community. If you wish to locate a Head Start program near you please follow this link to our map.

Head Start is a national program started by the U.S. Government in 1965. Although federally funded, Head Start programs in the state are locally operated. Funds are awarded directly to local public and private non-profit agencies to operate Head Start programs.

West Virginia Head Start programs currently receive funding to enroll 7,439 children. Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income. At least 10% of the enrollment is reserved for children who have special needs. Head Start focuses on all aspects of a child’s development including, their emotional, educational, social, health, nutritional, and physical needs.

Head Start has expanded to include services for pregnant women and children under the age of three. Currently West Virginia receives funding to enroll 394 children in twelve counties. Services offered by Early Head Start are provided in and out of the home to families with young children and expectant families. They include parent education, nutrition services, case management, and the development of support groups for parents. The goal of Early Head Start is to encourage the development of infants and toddlers by assisting parents to recognize their value as the caregiver and teacher of their children while encouraging parents to set their own personal goals.

Head Start programs involve parents of enrolled children in many of the program’s operations. Each Head Start program has a Policy Council, made up of parents and community representatives, a decision making body of the organization. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and to attend training offered to assist them in becoming qualified for a variety of employment opportunities within their community.

Head Start programs seek community partnership agreements with local agencies, organizations, and individuals in supporting young children and their families. In establishing a good working relationship within the community, Head Start programs can increase the resources and expand the services available to children and families.

We are pleased to have Bravenet as our partner.  They provide a wide range of free services.  Click Here! to see a complete list of Bravenet's services.

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