Programs: Child education:head start is a comprehensive preschool program that provides a wide array of services that result in children being ready for success in both school and in life. These components include child health, mental health and nutrition, education and services to children with diagnosed disabilities, parent engagement and family support services and community partnerships. The goal of the head start program is social competence as the primary foundation for school readiness. Head start performance standards define the program regulations and components of the program. Head start has been a leader in emphasizing the importance of parent engagement and of community support for the local program. Dane county parent council, inc. Dba reach dane (reach dane) is funded to serve 646 children in head start. Services are provided via home based, part day center based, and full day center based options. In addition to head start program performance standards, center based programs must also meet state licensing and city accreditation standards. The full day program option serves exclusively working families who qualify for a child care subsidy. Reach dane is also a community provider of 4k services in the madison, deforest, sun prairie, monroe, and verona school districts. Almost all of the four year old children enrolled in head start are also enrolled in 4k. Federal funding for the early head start program (ehs) began in response to early childhood research on the importance of early brain development. It was clear, from the results of the research, that the earlier effective intervention occurs the better the chances a child will have for a successful future. Reach dane began offering ehs program services in 1999. Early head start program regulations are also defined by the head start program performance standards. However, while head start is focused on providing a preschool experience to prepare children for kindergarten, the primary focus of early head start is supporting the parent-child relationship. Reach dane is funded to serve 201 early head start children. The program offers both home based and center based program options. In 2015, reach dane was one of 4 agencies awarded an early head start childcare partnership grant, (ehs ccp). This grant expands access to early head start services to an additional 60 low income infant and toddlers through partnerships with local childcare centers and family childcare providers. The green county early head start program serves 20 children through the family foundations home visitation (ffhv) grant. The ffhv program is funded by a federal grant awarded to the states and designed to expand home visitation services through evidence based models. Children enrolled in the green county ffhv program receive services through the early head start home visitation program. The ffhv grant also has additional requirements above and beyond head start program performance standards. Reach dane also receives funding from the rennebohm foundation as a partner in the northside early childhood zone, (necz) to expand access to early head start home visitation program services. Families enrolled in this program also receive access to additional enhancement services including housing case management, mental health services and employment services.
child care activities:reach dane sponsors child care programs in five locations licensed to serve 241 children. Many are in response to the child care needs of low income families, others respond to neighborhood and other community needs for child care. All city infant/toddler programs must meet state child care licensing and city accreditation standards. The satellite program promotes quality family child care by providing city of madison accreditation services for family child care programs in the greater madison area. Satellite works with family child care providers and helps them enhance their interactions and relationships, environment and materials, daily programming, supporting children's development, health and nutrition, and business practices through the accreditation process. Satellite services include training and support groups, consultation, referrals, and administration of assessment tools. Satellite also loans toys and equipment to providers including cribs, strollers, toys and materials. Satellite has a network of about 110 high quality fcc providers that care for over 600 children from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures and locations. Satellite services and trainings are offered in both english and spanish. Satellite is working as a partner in the (necz) to expand childcare access for low income families.
food programs:the child and adult care food program provides aid to child care institutions for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children.
