The Head Start programs of Community Action Partnership were commended by a federal review panel. These programs were lauded for: 1) their impact with children, families, community and staff; 2) Kindergarten Readiness programs which model strong curricula and engagement with local school districts; 3) receiving the 2010 Oral Health Prevention Award from the Children's Oral Health Summit for preventing dental disease among low-income county children; and 4) productive partnerships with Special Education Local Plan Agencies (SELPA), Department of Social Services, Services Affirming Family Empowerment (SAFE), and Positive Opportunities for Parenting Success (POPS) to better serve children and their families and provide "excellent and timely" disabilities services to children with special needs. In collaboration with Cuesta College, an Early Head Start-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/Head Start center on the campus was established to serve the student population; and, in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo City Housing Authority, an Early Head Start-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act center was established in a low-income housing complex.

The programs were also recognized for their strong parent involvement, including a father engagement project and new mother engagement project as well as professional development to enhance staff and parent knowledge. Head Start also became a teaching program for Cuesta College's Early Childhood Education program. San Luis Obispo County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Julian Crocker remarked: “This review confirms the genuine commitment to quality early childhood programs that Community Action Partnership has demonstrated for many years. The Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs are vital parts of our county’s efforts to provide a quality preschool experience for all children. Programs such as these are essential to later success in school for these children.”

Community Action Partnership Head Start has provided early childhood education to 449 children this year; Early Head Start has served 44

8 children; and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start has served 2,243 children.

Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County is a non-profit agency that focuses on helping people and changing lives through serving 43,000 persons across Central and Southern California. We are committed to eliminate poverty by empowering individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency and self-determination through a comprehensive array of community-based programs.

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