Head Start and Early Head Start Initiatives
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I Am Moving. I Am Learning.
This program is a proactive approach to encouraging healthy food choices and physical activity for children to combat childhood obesity. Program activities include parent education and involvement, healthy food choices through the USDA Food Program, health education in the classroom, and increased activity levels for children in Head Start classrooms. |
Bright Smiles for Babies
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health, the Bright Smiles for Babies three-year pilot project provides dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments for infants and toddlers in the Early Head Start program. Studies show that fluoride varnish applied to emerging teeth significantly reduces early tooth decay in infants and toddlers. Children receive a professional dental screening and fluoride varnish application in the fall and a repeat varnish application in the spring.
Cultural Responsiveness and Dual Language Education (CRADLE)
Project
This initiative helps our Early Head Start staff to identify and address the dual language acquisition needs of infants, toddlers and families whose primary language is not English. Dual language acquisition is a major focus in Fairfax County, where more than 33 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home.
Head Start National Reporting System (HSNRS)
The Head Start National Reporting System is a nationwide skills test of
Head Start pre-kindergarten children administered in the fall and spring
of each year. Fairfax County Head Start tests an average of 81 children
each year. The test measures language comprehension, literacy, early math
skills, and social-emotional development.