Discover Avoyelles Head Start &
Early Head Start
"Where Great Minds Are Born"
History
Avoyelles Child Development Services, Inc. is a nonprofit agency established in 2013. The Articles of Incorporation for the agency stated the following: “The objects and purposes for which this corporation is formed are the promotion and development of educational and economic opportunity in the community comprising all of Avoyelles Parish of the state of Louisiana; the provision of services, directly and indirectly to those in need of increased educational and economic opportunity; to promote the education and welfare of the preschool children of said community and state of Louisiana; to mobilize such human and financial resources as may be available to reverse the effects of poverty on early education of children and families experiencing economic and social instability in said community and the state of Louisiana. This corporation shall not engage in political campaigns or carry on political propaganda.”
In 2014, through a competitive process, our agency was awarded a Head Start grant to provide services to eligible preschool children ages 3 to 5 in Avoyelles Parish. Head Start services are currently provided in centers throughout the parish including Bunkie, Center Point, Cottonport, Hessmer, Mansura, Marksville, Moreauville, and Simmesport. In 2017 the grant was expanded to allow Avoyelles Child Development Services to begin serving Early Head Start infants and toddlers from birth to age 3. These services are only provided at the Bunkie sight currently, but long range planning includes the goal of expanding Early Head Start services to additional sites.
Evelyn Scallan served as the Executive Director of the agency, in addition to her role as Head Start Director, from 2013 until her retirement in 2019. Lynn Normand currently serves as Executive Director, and additionally she functions as the Head Start and Early Head Start Director.
Purpose
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs for children and their families whose income meet the Federal income guidelines. This includes children who have been determined to have a disability. The programs are staffed by a team of professionals who have credentials and experience in early childhood practices and providing developmentally appropriate environments for the enrolled children.
Our program works with both the child and family to provide a variety of educational activities to be implemented both in the classroom and at home. The children also receive medical and dental care, healthy nutritious meals and snacks, indoor activities as well as enjoying the outdoors in a safe environment. Services are offered on-site to meet the special needs of children with identified disabilities.
Through our research-based curriculum, we provide children with activities that help them grow cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Curriculum plans and implementation are based on the goal of school readiness for all children. Our staff members realize that the first and most important teachers of the children are their parents. We have an open classroom door policy and encourage and welcome parental involvement in all activities. Our staff will work as partners with you to help your child progress and be ready for her or his next learning environment.
Mission
The mission of Avoyelles Head Start and Early Head Start is to provide high quality, comprehensive services to eligible children and families throughout Avoyelles Parish. We will make every effort to assure school readiness for all enrolled children. We will empower families through training opportunities and by linking them with community resources through education, referral, and follow- up. These services will be provided through a community team effort, always based on the question: “Is it good for children?”
