2017-2018 Program Year Head Start / Early Head Start Annual Report to the Public Early Childhood Programs Mission Statement 3215 Cuming St, Rm. 3-136 Omaha, NE 68131 To ensure the delivery of high quality, comprehensive services to a diverse population of Phone: 531-299-0303 children and families throughout Douglas County Fax: 531-299-0398 Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, Budget Year: 11-01-17 to 10-31-18 veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to accept allegations regarding non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822). The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-0307). Message Thank you for taking the time to review the Omaha Public Schools Head Results of Recent Review Start/Early Head Start Annual Report. Our most recent federal review from the Office of Head Start was an onsite Focus Omaha Public Schools Head Start/Early Head Start has been servicing Area 2 and CLASS review in March 2018 that occurred simultaneously. families in Douglas County since 2005. Head Start/Early Head Start is The Office of Head Start conducted federal reviews during FY 2018 and were currently serving 899 children and families. found to have met all requirements assessed within the performance areas Through our program, we seek to provide a quality early childhood reviewed. Our program will be entering year five of our grant and this monitoring experience that strengthens family connections and promotes holistic health data will be used to determine the need to compete for the next cycle of grant and safety. In this report, we show our efforts to accomplish this task. funding. I would like to recognize our dedicated staff, community partners, and Board of Education that make a positive difference in the lives of children and families. Best wishes, Cindy Rasmussen Head Start Supervisor 1 Community Partnerships What We Do Black Men United Nebraska Total Care The Omaha Public Schools’ (OPS) Head Start Program is a federally funded center-based program that provides services to children 0-5 years of age who Building Healthy Futures Omaha Children’s Museum are from predominately low-income families. OPS is the Early Head Start Charles Drew Health Center Omaha Firefighters Association (EHS) and Head Start (HS) grantee for Douglas County, Nebraska. OPS provides services to children 3-5 years of age and their families. Our delegate, Child Saving Institute – ‘Kids Squad’ Omaha Healthy Start Educare Center of Omaha, provides EHS services to infants and toddlers ages ‘Fathers for a Lifetime’ 0-3 as well as some HS services for preschoolers ages 3-5. Children’s Physicians One World Community Health Center Creighton University Pediatric Dental OPS School Based Health Centers Health Program Douglas County Childhood Lead Parent Training & Information Center of Prevention Program Nebraska (PTI NE) Douglas County WIC Program Project Harmony Early Childhood Services RESPECT Early Learning Centers of Omaha Salvation Army Early Head Start Foster Grandparent Program / Eastern United Health Care Nebraska Holistic Health Program University of Nebraska Nutrition Education Program Our objective is to: Learning Community of UNL Extension Services (North / South Omaha) - provide children and their families with comprehensive services that will allow them to succeed in school and in life, Legal Aid of Nebraska UNMC Pediatric Dental Program - work with birth–5 year old children in an effort to equip them with readiness Live Well Omaha Kids Urban League of Omaha skills for school, and Nebraska Children’s Home Society WellCare Health Plans - assist all families by helping them to set achievable goals in areas of most concern to them. Nebraska Methodist College 17 2 Family & Community Engagement Family Survey Feedback Head Start/Early Childhood Parent Committee meetings were conducted bimonthly at What did our Head Start parents have to say about how each Head Start location. Parents were encouraged to develop agendas based upon we are doing? interests expressed by the parents. Activities included bringing Omaha Children’s Museum to school, nature programs for families, including two instances of tree-planting at schools. 99% families feel welcome in the classroom Families complete a survey at enrollment to help identify interests. Additional information is gathered by Family Support Workers when meeting with families. Activities are selected based upon a vote by all parents and guardians. 99% of our families feel the The Douglas County Health Department provided “Grab and Go” Breakfast training about parent/child relationship is lead poisoning prevention. Training was individualized by site, and parents were able to supported by the program learn more as they brought children to school. RESPECT provided a Family Fun Night in January. Children and their families attended 92% of families have a play about being a friend to others. This is the pre-school Bully Prevention training. opportunities to participate Parents were able to discuss and demonstrate strategies they use to encourage children in the classroom to be kind to one another. Omaha Public Schools Head Start continued our partnership with Omaha Children’s Museum. Families enrolled in Head Start are given a letter from OPS Head Start verifying 85% of families received they income-qualify for the program. Parents are encouraged submit the letter, an ap- help from the program in plication, and $5.00 to Omaha Children’s Museum. The family receives a one-year identifying services and membership to Omaha Children’s Museum. resources for the family In May, the 2nd Annual Head Start Family Celebration was held at Omaha Children’s Museum. Over three hundred parents, children, and staff attended the celebration. 88% of families report children benefit from Family Support Workers have been participating in Conscious Discipline Parent socialization with peers Education. OPS Head Start will be launching its first class during the 2018/19 program year. Student at Standing Bear received a certificate for 100% Attendance for the month of September Percentages based on Family Engagement Survey 2017-2018 school year 3 16 Our Location Family & Community Engagement Belle Ryan 1 FD 1807 South 60th Street Each family is assigned a Family Support Worker to assess family needs and strengths, Belvedere 1 FD 3775 Curtis Avenue and identify and establish goals, and connect to community resources. Goals may relate to one of seven Family Outcomes. Frequently, goals are related to family and child well- Boyd 1 FD 8314 Boyd Street being, when Family Support Workers help families obtain preventive health care services, Chandler View 2 FD 7800 South 25th Street find a medical and/or dental home, provide referrals to other agencies, assist with Conestoga 4 FD 2115 Burdette Street treatments and ensure they have an understanding of what their child needs, why their child needs it and how to get the care. Other frequent goals relate to parent and child Dodge 1 FD 3520 Maplewood Boulevard relationships, parents as learners, and parents as educators. Family Support Workers Druid Hill 2 FD 4020 North 30th Street coach parents in being strong advocates for their children at school and in the community. They encourage parents to be active in Parent Committees and Policy Council. th Edison 1 FD 2303 North 97 Street EHS/HS Educare of Omaha @ Indian Hill 16 FD 3110 W Street EHS/HS Educare of Omaha @ Kellom 11 FD 2123 Paul Street ELC PK @ Gateway 4 FD 5810 South 42nd Street Franklin 2 FD 3506 Franklin Street Gateway 2 FD 5610 South 42nd Street Kellom 4 FD 1311 North 24th Street Kennedy 3 FD 3906 North 30th Street King 1 FD 3706 Maple Street Liberty 2 FD 2021 St. Mary’s Avenue Lothrop 1 FD 3300 North 22nd Street Miller Park 2 FD 5625 North 28th Avenue Minne Lusa 2 FD 2728 Ida Street Mt. View 2 FD 5322 North 52nd Street Oak Valley 3 FD 3109 Pedersen Drive Spring Lake 3 FD 2 PD 4215 South 20th Street Standing Bear 1 FD 15860 Taylor Street Wakonda 6 FD 4845 Curtis Avenue Washington 1 FD 5519 Mayberry Street 15 4 Health & Well-Being Inclusive Early Childhood Model The OPSHS program recognizes that children who are healthy and receiving proper nutrition will perform better in school. Parent education is provided to ensure parents The Head Start Program of the Omaha Public Schools works collaboratively understand the educational and personal benefits of a healthy lifestyle for their entire with the district’s Pre-K and Early Childhood Special Education programs. In the 2017-2018 school year, there were 33 early childhood inclusive classrooms and family. 2 co-taught classrooms at 11 district sites. Parents are educated about the benefits of preventative health care and dental exams, The project has been designed to: importance of a medical and dental home and how to provide nutritious foods to their 1) provide integrated preschool services among the school district and Head children. Preventive health care includes an annual well child physical, vision