The Nueces County Community Action Agency (NCCAA) Birth-to-Five Head Start Program is a comprehensive program based on providing quality services for children and families who qualify and reside in Nueces County. The key values are: Integrity and Respect, Diversity, and Teamwork.  The services provided include the Early Head Start Program (EHS) for Expectant Women, children ages 6 weeks to 3 years and the Head Start Program for children ages 3-5 years.

 

The program is comprehensive in nature and works with the child, family and community to provide a continuum of care and resources before, during and after their experience within the program. The services include Disabilities, Education, Family Engagement, Health and Safety, Health, Mental Health, and Nutrition. Services are offered through Home Visitation and Center Base settings.

 

Staff qualifications are set at a high level in order to provide high quality services. EHS Staff are required to obtain at a minimum a Child Development Associate Credential and are encouraged to pursue advanced education. The Preschool Staff Assistant Teachers are required to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential and are encouraged to pursue advanced education. The Preschool Teachers are required to have at a minimum an Associate’s Degree and are expected to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree. All staff is required to maintain CPR/First Aid and Food Handler Certifications

 

Each parent in the program is recognized as their child’s first teacher and is encouraged to be actively engaged in classroom and home activities, to participate in program governance, and community activities. Through the Birth-to-Five Head Start School Readiness Plan, the program sets the stage towards the development of a positive transitioning experience into kindergarten and successful outcomes for the child’s future.  

 

Head Start is a comprehensive program designed to foster the healthy development of three, four, an five year-old children from low-income families.

 

ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)

 

The Preschool Division of the Birth-To-Five Head Start Program serves children between the ages of 3-5 years old and has a funded enrollment of 1136 children. There are 21 Head Start Sites housing a total of 68 classrooms. There are 18 Head Start Centers in Corpus Christi, 2 in Robstown, and one in Banquete and Agua Dulce respectively. The agency employs 17 Family Advocates that assist in building and maintaining Family and Community Partnerships on behalf of the agency. Click here for additional information

 

Training and Technical Services

 

Nueces County Community Action Agency is committed to providing ongoing staff development activities for all employees. The Training & Technical Assistance (T & TA) department is responsible for assessing the training needs of employees and coordinating relevant training in each of the content areas. Click here for additional information

 

Family and Community Partnership - Social Services

 

Narrative/Profile-Family & Community Partnership-Social Services provides assistance to Family Advocates who are in charge of conducting Home Visits and initiating Individual Family Partnership Agreements. Social Service Coordinator keeps Family Advocates abreast of what is taking place within the community and link them to many valuable resources throughout the community. The Family & Community Partnership Coordinator is constantly networking with other agencies to refer our Head Start families to outside agencies for resources, and share our resources with others. Click here for additional information

 

Disability Services

 

The disabilities services content area focuses on serving children with disabilities. These services are provided through collaborative efforts with local education agencies which may include school districts, and in some cases, private providers. Click here for additional information