United States Government

Head Start is the largest early childhood and family education program in the country, providing comprehensive education, health, nutrition, parent involvement, and family support services to at-risk children and their families since 1965. With two programs, Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS), they serve preschool-age children and their families as well as at-risk children prenatal to age three, pregnant women, and their families. Funded directly by the federal government, Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Missouri enrolled 21,433 children in 2009, with 84% of them living below 100% of the federal poverty guideline. South Central Missouri Community Action Agency administers these programs, ensuring equal opportunity and providing auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities upon request.Generated from the website

The South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, incorporated in 1965 under the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving low-income residents in Butler, Carter, Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties. Its mission focuses on helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency through a comprehensive array of services aimed at improving their quality of life and addressing the root causes of poverty. In addition to programs like Head Start and Early Head Start, the agency also offers community services including weatherization, energy assistance, and housing support. Recently, they have expanded their offerings to include applicant background check services at their Winona location, further promoting community welfare and employment opportunities. Generated from the website