Iswa Head Start & Early Start provides comprehensive children's services for the Catawba Indian Nation. Services are provided through funding from Head Start and the state. As a Head Start & Early Head Start program, the primary mission is to provide comprehensive early childhood services for children. All children are provided a safe, nurturing environment in which they are given the opportunity to learn and experience success, with additional services provided to children with special needs. Iswa Head Start & Early Head Start ensures that children are provided with medical and dental examinations and nutritious meals. Parents are partners with Iswa Head Start & Early Head Start in the education of their children, participating in home visits, parent-teacher conferences, training, and numerous avenues of opportunities to make decisions about program operations and services.
Iswa Head Start & Early Head Start Provides
- Quality preschool education that follows the Creative Curriculum for 112 tribal and non-tribal children in York County.
- Developmental assessment using the Denver Developmental Screening and Child Observation Records
- 4 Head Start classrooms with an average of 20 children per class and 4 Early Head Start classrooms with an average of 8 children per classroom
- Staff-to-child ratio of 1:10 for Head Start and Staff-to-child ratio of 1:4 for Early Head Start
- 4 lead teachers, all have bachelor's degree
- 4 assistant teachers, all with CDA
- Our Family Service Team of 4 have a master's in social work or a Family Service Credential
- Bus transportation for 46 children
- 2 nutritious meals and 1 snack daily
- Services to families as well as children through Family Partnership Agreements that facilitate goal setting and achievement
- Referrals for medical care, dental care, mental health services, continuing education, and emergency assistance
- Services from a mental health professional who spends at least 6 hours on-site monthly
- Services from a speech therapist on-site as needed
About ISWA Head Start
- Total number of children served: 112
- Funded enrollment: 112
- Percentage of eligible children served: 79.57%
- Average monthly enrollment: 112
- Number of volunteers: 155
- Number of parent volunteers: 65
- Ages prenatal to age 5
For more information visit their website: ISWA Head Start
Contact information
1540 Tom Steven Rd.
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Melissa Harris, Director
Phone: (803)-328-2267
Crystal Jackson, Center Director
Phone: (803)-328-2267
Elizabeth Hargrave, Family Service Manager
Phone: (803)-328-2267
Daneequa Dixon, Health & Disabilities Manager
Phone: (803)-328-2267
David Simpson, Fiscal & Operation Manager
Phone: (803)-328-2267
Kay Dease, CACFP & Transportation Manager
Phone: (803)-328-2267
ISWA Head Start Cultural Questionnaire
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PVKFQWK