Program fights cycle of poverty

By Robert Cloud

Head Start in Waupaca County has “touched the lives of over 1,000 children since 1990,” according to April Niemi, CAP’s deputy director of Early Childhood Development.

“Our overall goal is to ensure that children are ready for school,” Neimi said. “Not just academic skills, but emotional, social and physical development.”

Located on Tower Road in Waupaca, CAP’s Early Childhood Development Center offers Head Start care that prepares children ages 3 and 4 for school.

Lori Mattes, the site manager, said there are 15 children in the 3-year-old Head Start classroom and 20 children in the 4-year-old program.

Another 10 children are in Waupaca’s Early Head Start home-based program.

In addition to working with the children, CAP Services works with the entire family in an integrated approach.

A homeless mother may be referred to other programs to help with housing, as well as training that can help them increase their wages.

“We work with the whole family and the whole child,” said Carla Kluz, CAP Services vice president of early childhood development.

Mikayl Ewing is a parent and volunteer with Head Start.

She has four children.

One has graduated from the Head Start program, while the youngest attends both Head Start and a Waupaca 4K class at the Early Childhood Development Center.

“They helped my son with his speech problem, and they helped my daughter who had cavities,” Ewing said.

Mattes said Head Start helps families connect with doctors, dentists and therapists.

A dental hygienist provides screenings and fluoride treatments for Head Start children.

Launched in May 1965, Head Start was part of then-President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

Head Start’s goal was to break the cycle of poverty by focusing on the emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs of preschool children of low-income families.

To be eligible for Head Start, family incomes must be below the federal poverty guidelines.

For example, a family of three must make no more than $21,330 in order to participate.

Mattes said Head Start reviews the needs of the family and the child when deciding who to accept into the program.

Other criteria include homelessness, high risk factors and disabilities.

“Head Start’s national commitment is to give every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, an opportunity to succeed in school and in life,” Kluz said.

Head Start receives funding that supports 75 percent of its budget.

“For every dollar we receive, 25 cents has to be donated, either through resources or time,” Mattes said.

Parents and community volunteers comprise much of that donation.

The Waupaca County Post and Buyer’s Guide are currently helping Head Start by collecting donated items.

Items Head Start needs include sand toys, bubbles, stickers and sidewalk chalk. The center also seeks craft supplies (googly eyes, glitter, glue, glue sticks, pom poms), shoebox storage bins with lids, bottled water (8 oz. or 16 oz.), paper towels and 6 oz. plastic cups.

Drop off donations at the Waupaca County Post/MMC offices, 1990 Godfrey Drive, Waupaca, now through May 31.