Head Start
“Action Pathways Head Start is committed to providing quality early childhood education to our community’s bright young learners to prepare them with the social and emotional skills necessary for public school. To do so, we rely on a large staff of committed, passionate professionals, dedicated parents and relatives, and volunteers like YOU.”
![HS logo-mark Head Start logo](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HS-logo-mark.png)
Find Your Center
We have several Head Start centers throughout Cumberland County, each strategically located to best serve our communities. We provide transportation within a five mile radius of each Head Start center. Early Head Start facilities do not provide child transportation services.
![Head Start room Head Start room](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/019-1024x683.jpg)
How to Apply
The program is designed to prepare eligible children with essential skills needed to enter the public school system. Head Start is FREE to eligible participants. To begin the application process, you will need to provide a few key documents.
![Snack table Children at snack table](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/035-1024x683.jpg)
Our Program
We serve approximately 1,000 families each year, and take our commitment to each child’s success very seriously. There is no greater joy than seeing a classroom light up with smiling faces.
![Sounds of Music Child with musician volunteer](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_1781-1024x685.jpg)
Community Resources
As part of our comprehensive approach, our staff provides parents and guardians with resources that extend beyond early childhood education. Please contact your child’s Family Advocate for more information.
![Food Distribution Flyers](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Food-Distribution-Flyers-300x251.png)
The Child and Adult Care Food Program
USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program or CACFP, is provided in the Action Pathways Head Start Program to improve the health and nutrition of children in the program while promoting the development of good eating habits through nutrition education for families. Implementing the CACFP meal patterns helps to ensure children receive wholesome and nutritious meals. CACFP helps make it possible for our child care programs to offer children wholesome meals and snacks while in care. The meal patterns themselves focus on providing a variety of nutrient dense foods, including whole grains, a variety of fruits, vegetables, fat free foods, and low-fat dairy products. Milk is provided daily while reducing added sugar intake and saturated fats. CACFP plus healthy meals supports a child’s development and learning. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of all children enrolled in the program.
![IMG_20230124_140450717](https://actionpathways.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_20230124_140450717-1024x771.jpg)
Health Services
Health Services within the Head Start program focus on preventing health problems whenever possible by carefully addressing the needs of enrolled children. The Head Start program ensures children have an ongoing source of health care that can be accessed long after a child leaves Head Start. We understand that healthy children are more successful in school.
Our Impact By the Numbers for Head Start Participants2021-2022 School Year
Provided for Head Start children