HEAD START ENROLLMENT BEGINS IN JANUARY

Low-income families with children ages 3 to 5 may qualify for the free Head Start program. Enrollment for next fall's program begins this month.

Head Start is a federally-funded program offering youngsters and their families training in social skills, assistance with medical and dental needs and referrals to other social programs.

The overall goal is to help children be ready to start kindergarten.

Head Start in Southeast Missouri is coordinated by the East Missouri Action Agency. Programs are available in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties.

Some programs have centers, like the one in Cape Girardeau. Others are home-based. An educator travels to the child's home to offer assistance.

Regina Egbuka, family advocate for the East Missouri Action Agency, said that Head Start addresses intellectual and social needs of children.

Youngsters learn how to get along with others. During snack time, they learn to set the table and to serve themselves. "We help the child be more self sufficient," Egbuka said.

The program is free to families. It is funded 80 percent from the federal government. The other 20 percent is in-kind donations from parents, volunteers and community organizations.

In Cape Girardeau, Head Start offers a full-day program for children of parents who are in the Futures program or job training at no charge.

Head Start is looking for children with disabilities to participate in the program. Because of federal regulations, income guidelines may be modified for children with disabilities including a physical handicap, a learning disorder or a behavioral disorder.

For information, contact the Cape Girardeau office at (573) 334-5533. For information on programs in other areas, call the Head Start headquarters in Park Hills at 1-800-392-8663, ext. 145.