Thursday, March 28, 2024

Brewster Early Head Start benefits

$1.3 million granted for Head Start expansion

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BREWSTER – The Okanogan County Child Development Association (OCCDA) has been awarded a $1.3 million annually renewable grant to expand Head Start and Early Head Start services in several county locations, including Brewster.

OCCDA Executive Director Jodi DeCesari said OCCDA submitted a grant request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start was approved along with initial start up funds to expand programs in Brewster, Omak and Oroville.

“The grant continues as long as a need is demonstrated,” said DeCesari. “We just need to re-apply every five years.”

“Head Start programs support children’s growth and development in positive learning environments through a variety of services including early learning, health, and family well-being,” an OCCDA media release said.

Early Head Start provides services for pregnant women and children up to age three and offer both home visitation and classroom programs. Head Start programs are center-based pre-school oriented for children ages three to five.

“Over the past 18 months, OCCDA has made significant efforts to hear from local communities about their needs for children and families,” said DeCesari. “These funds enable OCCDA to better meet the needs of the communities we serve and accommodate the needs of working families.”

DeCesari told the Quad that there is a problem with a lack of available openings for low income families.

“The state is working on that,” DeCesari said.

In the meantime, the grant funds will allow OCCDA to increase hours of service to full day programming at the Brewster, Omak and Oroville centers.

OCCDA has been providing services to children and families in the county for more than 50 years, the media release said.

“The organization provides Head Start programs, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) funded pre-school, Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) funded home visiting programs, and is the local Imagination Library Affiliate,” the media release said. “Last year, OCCDA served 352 local children and their families.”

More information about OCCDA programs is online at occda.net. To inquire about services for a child, call (509) 826-2466.

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