MARTINS FERRY — The Head Start program under the direction of Community Action of Belmont County is still accepting applications for children from ages 3-5 years old for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years.

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program and is Ohio Day Care licensed. Up to 10 percent of enrollment can be children whose family is over the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Head Start is mandated to first enroll those at or below the poverty guidelines, and preschoolers with a special need, a handicap or who are disabled. Verification of all family income must accompany the application for a child to be considered for enrollment.

2016 Federal

Poverty Income Guidelines

∫ For a family of two is $16,020;

∫ Family of three, $20,160;

∫ Four, $24,300;

∫ Five, $28,440;

∫ Six, $32,580;

∫ Seven, $36,730; and

∫ A family of eight, $40,890.

Head Start is a free preschool child development program with classes at six locations in the county. Sites are in the communities of Barnesville, Flushing, St. Clairsville, Martins Ferry, Bellaire and Powhatan Point. Limited transportation is provided to the Barnesville and Bellaire centers. Head Start also contracts with the Creative Learning Childcare Center in St. Clairsville to provide preschool services.

To produce positive effects, Head Start is designed to work with the family in developing the whole child, including social and emotional development and self regulation. Classes are four hours a day, Mondays-Thursdays, with a snack and lunch served daily.

Children are introduced to pre-readiness skills, such as colors, shapes, letter recognition, math, language and literacy development. Parents are welcome to volunteer in the classroom, arrange field trips, represent their center at monthly policy council meetings, join the Parent Committee, decorate bulletin boards and share musical talent, love of reading and their creative ability with the children.

Studies show that children starting kindergarten without first attending a preschool program enter school an estimated 18 months behind their peers. It is not too late to give your child a head start — call 740-695-0293, ext. 261.