The Head Start Program organizational structure has been designed to provide social services for children and families. Partnerships and collaboration with community resource agencies is critical in order to meet the needs of each individual family.
Family Services Associates
A Family Services Associate is provided for each classroom. Family Services Associates (FSA) are required to attain a Family Services Credential. All Family Services Associates are recruited from the communities in which they will work to ensure they will be familiar with the cultural background of families served, as well as, available resource agencies.
Program Eligibility
Children eligible for Head Start must be 3- or 4-years old by September 1 as defined by Texas state law. During Head Start Round-Up recruitment and registration, Family Services Associates and school district staff assist families with completing necessary enrollment documents. Everyone who has an age-eligible child is encouraged to complete the enrollment process. Families are required to summit proof of income. The program uses the Eligibility Criteria Selection Survey, in conjunction with the Head Start Program guidelines, as the process for selecting children and families that are in the most need of services.
Resource Agencies
An extremely valuable aspect to the success of the Head Start project is the collaborative efforts made with community resource agencies. The Head Start Program is fortunate to work with numerous resource agencies in the communities of Lytle, Natalia, Devine, Medina Valley, Hondo, Bandera, Ingram, and several nearby towns like Kerrville and Somerset. Some of the agencies include:
WIC and County Extension Agencies
Local health clinics and departments
Shelters and churches
Department of Human Services
Texas Worksource
Through these community-agency partnerships families receive comprehensive support; collaboration reduces duplication of services.
