C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
1805 South Banker Street
Effingham IL 62401
217.342.2193
C.E.F.S. HEAD START 0-5 PROGRAM
Are you wanting to enroll your child or yourself as a pregnant mom in the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program?
Click the button to get started!
Make a donation to C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program
What is Head Start?
Head Start is a federally-funded program which has been in existence since 1965 that promotes school preparation by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services. Head Start’s services and resources are designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being, and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills. The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program provides comprehensive classroom and home-based services to pregnant women and children birth to age five including children with significant special needs.
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What services are provided to children?
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Screenings to identify children’s hearing, vision, development, speech, and language concerns
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Preschool classroom sessions four times per week (ages 3- 5) that focus on developing skills to prepare children for kindergarten
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Healthy meals and snacks
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Transportation assistance (including coordinating services with other schools/programs in addition to bus services as needed)
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Weekly 90-minute educational home visits (infant through age 3) that involve both parent and child in hands-on learning
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Bi-monthly playgroups for infants and toddlers
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Field trip experiences for children of all ages
What services are provided to pregnant women?
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Prenatal curriculum, education, and support during pregnancy and for the preparation of the baby’s birth
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Transportation assistance to/from prenatal appointments
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Post-natal visit by a registered nurse
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What services are provided to the entire family?
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Parent involvement in the Head Start program’s planning and monitoring (i.e., Policy Council, Parent Committees, etc.)
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Family literacy activities and lending library for children and adults
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Social service referrals and support
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Assistance with dental and health needs and transportation to appointments
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Where is Head Start located?
Preschool classrooms are located in Altamont, Effingham, Litchfield, Louisville, Pana, Shelbyville, Sullivan, Taylorville and Vandalia.
Home-based services for pregnant women, infants and toddlers are offered in Clay, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, and Shelby counties.
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Who is eligible for Head Start services?
Families who earn at or less than 100% of the federal poverty guidelines are income eligible to receive services. Families may also qualify under a categorical eligibility category (examples include receipt of TANF funds, supplemental security funds, or homelessness as per the McKinney-Vento Act). Up to 45% of the program’s enrollment can be from higher income families or families experiencing emergency situations. Head Start is required to provide services to children with disabilities who must comprise 10% of the total enrollment.
What does Head Start cost?
There are no entry fees for enrollment and no fees are charged for any services provided to children and families.
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How do families apply?
Applications for enrollment into the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program are accepted throughout the calendar year.
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What is In-kind or Non-Federal Share Match?
The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program receives 80% of its funding from a federal grant. Head Start is required to have an in-kind match (non-federal share match) of 20% to maintain the received federal funding. This in-kind match comes from completed homework activities, donated items, and monetary donations.
How do I make an In-kind donation to the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program?
Individuals, groups, and organizations wanting to support the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program through in-kind donations can find monthly flyers posted on the program's Facebook page.
For more information:
Call or text 217-663-7822
This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH012873 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.