The Head Start program began in 1965 under President Johnson to provide educational resources for children living in poverty. The goal of Head Start is to help disadvantaged children succeed in school through programs that provide early education, health and nutrition services, and parental involvement. It is administered and funded at the federal level through grants to local programs. While Head Start has helped millions of children over the years, issues remain around eligibility requirements that don't support all children in need as well as ensuring consistent funding for all local programs.

1. Running Head: HEAD START EDUCATION 1
Kelsey Sutton-Buscavage
Dr. Conahan
MWF 1-1:50
April 27th

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Abstract
It all began in 1964 when Johnson developed the plan of Head Star when there was a lack
of educational resources for children. In which reached out to the families in poverty to help
guide their children into the successful educational career that they deserve. Without this
program many of our children would not be where they are today.

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Describe the goal or purpose of program/policy
The Goal of this policy is to aid children in poverty do well in the educational career.
Head Start is a way for families to be educated on a variety of categories and they are the
following, Language and literacy, Cognition and general knowledge, Physical development and
health, Social and emotional development, Approaches to learning, which teaches the parents
and children different ways to study and learn to the child’s greatest potential (Head Start). This
program began in 1969 under the Nixon Administration because of how uneducated the poor
children were, a program needed to be put into place to help advocate and enable the children in
poverty a larger chance to succeed in their generation. After many years later under the Clinton
administration the first Head Start program grant was given and in 1998 the first full time
learning center was put into place (Head Start).
Compare the policy to social works position from Social Work Speaks (2005).
Head Start is such an important program that is implemented all across the country and
because of this policy a child’s education can be greatly enriched as long as there is proper
training and procedures applied by the government and board of education.
Social Work Speaks had quite a lot of interesting facts relating to education and how our
nation must have a strong education system, not to only benefit our population, but to also help
keep our future leaders out of poverty. Without Head Start we would not have had the policy that
gave legal rights to children to ensure every child gets equal education and that act is No Child
Left Behind Act (Social Work Speaks). This act was a branch off of Head Start because they both
enabled children to receive the resources to give them the skills they need to be a better student
and a more sufficient test taker (Social Work Speaks). There was quite a lot of controversy with

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this act during the 2004 elections because there was such a huge lag in proficiency pertaining to
math and reading test scores (Social Work Speaks). Along with the update to this act came the
update of the Individuals with Disabilities act or better known as IDEA. This act guaranteed the
rights of children and adults with disabilities a secure way of living and allowing them to be free
of judgment in school and work. If a person has a disability a school district or workplace are
forbidden to hold that against them, they are to receive a free and fair education especially. No
child deserves to be left behind or pushed aside because of a disability ad this act ensured the
equality and security that a child will receive the same education as their student counterparts.
Funding is crucial for school districts to ensure that the children enrolled will have the
best opportunity to excel in every area of learning, such as reading, math, English, history, and
science. “Since 1980, most federal funds were disbursed to states through block grants and ear-
marked for mandated categorical programs” (Social Work Speaks). After many years this policy
has changed and now is determined by each state individually (Social Work Speaks). Although
this can cause a conflict because some states receive more money than others due to the
population and quality of schools, which in result can greatly hurt the education of children.
Each person who owns a home must pay a school tax regardless if the family is in poverty or not
(Social Work Speaks). Living in a well-to-do school the school tax will undoubtedly be higher
than a person who lives in an inner-city. The suburbs are notorious for higher taxes because nicer
homes means higher taxes (Howard Karger,David Stoesz).
Since the 1960s our government has been in the uphill battle of offering free lunches,
healthcare, and other polices because they did realize that children were in need of the help
because unfortunately they for some reason or another could not afford to be fed or taken care of
when ill at home (Social Work Speaks). Unfortunately due to these installments in school

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districts in every state, county, and city, budget cuts have to be made and teachers and staff must
be let go (Social work Speaks). On a positive note the mental and physical health of our children
are still being met from as young as kindergarten through high school (Social Work Speaks).
We also cannot forget the students who defy rules and refuse to follow the structure and
discipline of authority. These children and youth are the ones who seem to be most forgotten.
They are the students who dropout, fail out, suspended, or expelled. If we take time to reach out
to these individuals’ and take into consideration their home life we might not see such high rates
of defiant kids in our schools (Social Work Speaks). Each and every child deserves a chance and
just because their family has given up hope does not mean their school has to as well. Our
education system should want to alleviate the stress and anxiety from children, but we have yet
to realize this concept, and that is where the social workers come into play. We help keep the
structure in schools because we are the ones whose job it is to advocate for the children, in need
and the children who just need a little more encouragement. As Social Work Speaks states;
“NASW believes that schools must pursue excellence and provide for the physical and emotional
safety and growth, in addition to the education, of children.” (Social Work Speaks) Another great
aspect to why social workers must be in our school districts is the following;
Educational environments promote transitional learning in
the areas of work, community living, and civic
responsibility. Students with excessive truancy and who are
at risk of dropping out must receive out-reach services, and
factual health information for students regarding sexuality,
relationships, and sexually transmitted diseases must be

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provided within the context of a comprehensive health and
family life education course. (Social Work Speaks)
In a whole, these educational services must be provided to each student so he or she is
fully aware and educated on every level. By doing so, our children will be better equipped and
knowledgeable of the variety of real-life topics. The key is that we must relay this information in
very concrete terms and the truth must be told. The students must know the consequences of
certain incidents that they might get into while they are growing up and trying to find themselves
during their adolescent years.
Social Work Speaks really gave a greater insight to the education world and really went
into greater depth that we as a country should be cheering for every student and open them with
welcoming arms regardless where that child comes from.
What is the history of the program/policy? What social problems or condition is this
program/policy addressing?
The first policy was written in 1965 and the policy was to help children who were in
poverty and who were struggling with their learning skills. This policy was shaped around how
Americans have high expectations with education by doing something with your life, you are
able better yourself and to better society. There was a conflict with this policy because when it
first started during the Nixon Administration not many people were for this program, not to
mention it was quite costly. Grants were given to this program, but it wasn’t enough to enable
the program to get off its feet (Head Start).We can only hope that the education of children will
improve and no child will be left behind. We never want children to be left behind and by
placing head start programs all around the country. By doing so we will become a stronger

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nation and every child will get the education that they fully deserve. Head Start has served over
30 million people since this policy has been created and we can only hope the numbers will
increase (Head Start). This policy goes way back and without the recollection of the lack of
education our children were receiving, who knows what type of an education system we would
be in now. We would still be in the times of the Industrial Revolution when it was imperative for
children to go to work to supply for their family.
The benefits, eligibility criteria and the beneficiaries of the policy/program
There are many benefits to the Head Start program, without this policy I could not
imagine where many of our kids would be pertaining to the education world. To qualify for a
Head Start program a child must be under the poverty line and or have a disability that could in
the future hinder a child’s learning as they go from grade-to-grade. Also, “Head Start and
preschool programs are also usually included in descriptions of the early care and education
system” (Lenette Azzi-Lessing), which means the age range for this policy would be from the
ages of birth to 6 years old (Lenette Azzi-Lessing). In addition, “Head Start offered health and
dental screening, nutrition, and socialization experiences in addition to preschoolers academic
preparation.” (Lenette Azzi-Lessing). There will always be strict requirements for this policy,
unless the federal government decides to change their regulations, until then not all children are
eligible for these services.
What level of government is responsible for its administration and financing?
The government is the main contributor to this policy. They are the one who determines
the funding and requirements every year. Each state receives a certain amount of money each
year, including state grants (Head Start). Also, the federal government oversees how much

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money is distributed each year to every Head Start programs and there is a budget that must be
followed. Without the strict rules and regulations this policy would fall apart and would not be as
successful is it is now in this generation.
What are some of the issues, problems, concerns in terms of financing and implementation of
this program/policy?
A huge issue is that Head Start is only for the families in the 130 percentile of the poverty
line (Howard Karger, David Stoesz). With that said, people do not realize how much goes into
this program and how much it takes to bring this policy into full swing. In better terms,
Head Start represents a broader preventive measure aimed at
modifying some of the greatest domestic problems of the
day- automation, unemployment, and the demand for equal
education and job opportunity. This has special relatedness
for social work in the area of specific protection and the
generated need for compensating human relationships.
(Edward Bates)
This quote exemplified how much we really do need Head Start programs. Many children
could actually benefit from this program, but the government chooses to only offer it to children
in poverty when there are children in our schools that are in dire need of our help, instead we
mainstream children in classes that they are not prepared for. The requirements to enroll in this
policy are a huge problem. Hopefully dome day we will be able to enroll our children in this
program; it will only benefit them in the long run. It is understandable that middle class to upper

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class may not need health services, but an early start on learning that is not related to preschool
would not be a terrible idea.
We can only hope that Head Start programs will stay around for generations to come
because in the long run we see how crucial it actually is even though it may take some time and
patience to get all the family members on board.
Is the program successful? Who says so?
Originally, this policy was specifically created to achieve one goal and it is stated as the
following, as it was “Created in 1965, Head Start seeks to enhance behavioral, emotional, and
cognitive capacities of young children from economically disadvantaged families” (Richard K.
Caputo). The Head Start program has ended up being a very extremely successful program
despite the trials and tribulations it has faced in the past. Without this program so many children
would fall through the cracks before they reached high school. Educators, parents, and family
praise these programs because they teach individuals so many life skills, it not only helps the
children, but it educates the parents when it comes to healthy food and preparing nutritious food.
Shockingly a fact is, “Educators say that many parents, especially among the poor and
immigrants, do not know that talking, as well as reading, singing and playing with their young
children, is important.” (Motoko Rich). This was shocking to read because these care-givers
would be hindering their children’s learning immensely. This is especially why the Head Start
program is so important because parents are taught specifically that they must be hands on with
their child while the student is beginning to learn their alphabet and their number line, even tying
their shoe. It must all be done with a supportive family member or guardian. Some families do
not realize how important it is to work as team when dealing with children’s education and

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sometimes professionals must be able to make it fully clear to families that goals will not be met
without the guidance of the parents. Regardless of the situation, children must always come first.
Identify the gaps or unmet needs in coverage and propose solutions.Specifically, how would you
go about bringing about changes so that these gaps of coverage will be eliminated or unmet
needs met?
There are definitely gaps between parents being active in their child’s education. Some
parents can be too busy to spent time with their child because they are working, especially because
they are in poverty. When families are in that satiation the parents’ job can sometimes be a bit more
important, solely because they need to have money to feed their family and sometimes certain
aspects of their life go on the backburner and that could be for example, education. Children might
even skip school to help their parents at home, which then put them behind in succeeding in life. So,
all in all Head Start really is a very important because it allows the children who are below
preschool age to get ahead of the game and start to really love learning. I would definitely make
mandatory events that parents must attend or even activities that parents must do with their child to
help them on their education journey. Although work could potentially be problematic, as a student
who strives to better my education and having the family behind me for support, I know if a parent
or guardian really wanted to see their child do well they would do anything for that child even if it is
sacrificing one extra day at work. Who knows if years down the road that child grows up and does
extraordinary things, he or she can potentially aid their parents in any sort of financial endeavors.
Another issue would be funding. Not every location is guaranteed money for their program,
partially because sometimes the outcomes of the children enrolled or the test scores are not meeting
requirements (Head Start). With that said it is statistically proven that children whose parents enroll
them in Head Start have “...higher on intelligence and achievement measures, have better

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achievement self-images, and receive more encouragement from parents. These effects also carry
over through adolescence” (Richard K. Caputo). With this said, we as a nation must come together
to help our children reach higher standards. If we do not we would be letting our past generations
down. We did not fight for our country to through our children’s education away. We fought for our
country so we could be the “Land of the Free”. Our children are depending on us to support them
and guide them in the right direction. Each child deserves a free and equal education; the money a
parents makes every year should not determine the quality of education someone gets. We must
remember that these children did not put their family into poverty. There are so many reasons why
families go below the poverty line, but as a social worker we have no right to judge them because it
would be unethical and inhumane because at some point in everyone’s life we may face the
struggles of making ends meet and we would only hope that our children could benefit from a
program such as Head Start.
Identify available agencies,services, or programs available inthis area or in your hometown area
resulting from the implementation of the above policy. Include address and telephone number.
There is a place called “Community Service for Children” in the Lehigh County area that
specifically revolves around the Head Start program, and they so offer early Head Start which is
for children from birth to age three that helps with the following aspects;
“Support your baby’s growth and development from birth to age. Value your family’s unique
background and strengths. Support your achievement of personal and family goals. Encourage
healthy parent and baby relationships!” (Community Services for Children) and this agencies
information is of the following:
Address: 1520 Hanover Ave Allentown, Pa 18109

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Phone Number: 610-437-6000
There is also a place called “St. Paul's Lutheran Head Start”, and this organization
implements the Lutheran values into their children while teaching the Head Start values, which
in fact is very interesting and this is a great option for parents who want their child to be around
more religious based teachings.
Address: 36 S 8th St, Allentown, PA 18101
Phone Number: (610) 435-7784
There is even an Allentown school district enable parents to enroll their students into their
Head Start program, and the contact information is the following;
Allentown School District
Address: 32 South Penn Street
Allentown, PA - 18102 545
Phone Number: (484) 765-4000
While doing research I also found an intriguing article that expressed how at their Head
Start center they choose not to use any outside resources or organizations. They believe it is
specifically done within the agency, which was quite appalling because as a parent you would
want your child to get the best resources possible. Reading this data I really do not think this
agency would be equipped enough for my child if when I have a child would be qualified for a
Head Start Program (Stepzinski, T).

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After researching these areas I was quite pleased to find a variety of locations that as a
social worker I can send my clients to because not every parent wants a “traditional” school
setting. There are many parents who base their life on the religious teachings and they deserve
their right to send their child to any school that they desire. With the hope that these locations
give parents a little bit of security knowing that their child is in good hands, hopefully with a
child in a school setting the parent will then be able to focus on lifting their family out of poverty
and their child can continue to do well. In an article that I read there was a topic that the church
did not have all the funding to supply a Head Start program for the kids and luckily that does not
seem to be the case in Allentown (Rutland, M).
In conclusion, children need to have the security of a Head Start program that will lead
them down the right path, no family deserves to see their child fail out or dropout of school
because they are not equipped with the correct material to accomplish their dreams in life. Even
as a young child, children have dreams and they fantasize about “real people” jobs, whether that
be a ballerina, or a fire fighter, even a doctor. Our children deserve to be happy and it is our duty
to give them every opportunity that they can get to make their dreams come true. Now let us
make our children’s dreams come true by learning and expanding out knowledge on the best
ways that we know to teach children to learn and reach their goals.

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References
Azzi-Lessing, L. (2010). Growing Together: Expanding Roles for Social Work Practice in Early
Childhood Settings. Social Work, 55(3), 255-263.
Bates, V. E. (1966). Social work and Head Start: toward an operational definition. Child
Welfare, 45(2), 74-80.
Caputo, R. K. (2003). Head Start, other preschool programs, & life success in a youth cohort.
Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare, 30(2), 105-126.
Caputo, R. K. (2003). Early education experiences & school-to-work program participation.
Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare, 30(4), 141-156.
Early Head Start | Community Services for Children. (n.d.). Community Services for Children.
Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.cscinc.org/early-head-start-2/
Head Start Programs. (n.d.). Allentown, PA , Early. Retrieved April 27, 2014
"Head Start." Head Start. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
Karger, H. J., & Stoesz, D. (2002). The Internet and social welfare policy: a supplement to
American social welfare policy : a pluralist approach. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
"National Head Start Association." National Head Start Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr.
2014. <http://www.nhsa.org/ (national Head Start Association Website)>.

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Rich, Motoko. "Tryng to Close a Knowledge Gap, Word by Word." The New York Times 25
Mar. 2014: 5. Print.
Rutland, M. (2014, March 14). Tampa group looks to be leading in Head Start selection process.
Florida Times-Union, The (Jacksonville, FL).
Social work speaks: National Association of Social Workers policy statements, 2012-2014. 9th
ed. Washington, D.C:: NASW Press, 2012. Print.
Stepzinski, T. (2014, April 1). Lutheran Services of Florida will run Duval County's Head Start
programs. Florida Times-Union, The (Jacksonville, FL).