CHILD DEVELOPMENT REPORT For The 2023-2024 School Year
From the Director of Child Development
Director of Child Development
Through respectful partnerships with families, ICS locations implement evidence based approaches to engage families who meet federal requirements. Children receive warm, nurturing, and positive interactions, support for basic mental, dental, physical health, and developmentally appropriate School Readiness education. The multi-disciplinary approach is based on leading edge research and science about brain development. The Head Start Preschool works in partnership with families to support the success of each child. Parent/teacher conferences are held twice yearly, along with home visits; development and learning reports are shared. Parents are their child's first educators and participate in a variety of activities to support their child's development and to build strong parent-child relationships.
The curriculums used in our classroom are: Our world of Learning, OWL, Learn Every Day by Kaplan, and Mississippi Beginnings Pre-K. Curriculums are research based and are aligned with state Early Learning Standards and HSELOF. Activities are planned according to each child's developmental needs and interests. In addition to School Readiness·goals, teachers and parents develop individualized goals and activities for each child. Integration of the various cultures, traditions and values is critical to the growth and development of our children.
Our program uses practice base coaching, a cyclical approach to supporting effective teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children. Practice Base Coaching components include focused observations, reflections and feedback About teaching practices, actions and goal setting and planning. We serve children with previously identified disabilities and typical developing children.
The teaching staff conduct on-going observations.and assessment of children. Assessment data is aggregated and child outcomes are analyzed and shared with appropriate staff and parents for planning and professional development. Data is analyzed after each assessment. Assessment data provides staff and families with a clear and comprehensive picture of each child's development, growth over time, development, resources and support they need to thrive.
We work consistently to meet our goals and benchmarks for CLASS and kindergarten readiness. Our program is driven by the belief that all children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential and succeed in life.
Alignment of ICS School Readiness Goals with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (HSELOF) & Achievement Utilizing the Learning Accomplishment Profile-3 (LAP-BK)
Click HERE to view the full table. (Table opens in a new window)
5630 Pre-K CLASS Average Score Charts
CLASS Pre-K® Domains and Dimensions:
Emotional Support ES)
- Positive
- Negative Climate
- Teacher Sensitivity
- Regard for Student Perspectives
Classroom Organization (CO)
- Behavior Management
- Productivity
- Instructional Learning Formats
Instructional Support (IS)
- Concept Development
- Quality of Feedback
- Language Modeling
Learn more about the CLASS assessment tool and its use in Head Start classrooms.
Transitions
Transition activities are in place to help children and their families change between environments in the early childhood years such as going from home to the Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms, a toddler to a preschool classroom, or preschooler to kindergarten. Parents and staff from Early Head Start and Head Start, Early Childhood Intervention, local school districts and other childcare settings work together throughout the transition process.
Overall, 68 children will transition from our Head Start Program into kindergarten.
FAMILY SERVICES & ERSEA REPORT for the 2023-2024 School Year
Total Funded Enrollment 100
Total Number of Children Served 107
Total Number of Families Served 101
Year's Total Wait-List Numbers 49
Age Eligible Wait-List Children Not Served 5%
Average Monthly Enrollment (ADA) as Percentage of Enrollment 82%
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT DATA
- Percentage of Age Eligible Children Served 100%
- Percentage of Income Eligible Preschool Children 90%
A Snapshot View of our Head Start Families
2023-2024 HEALTH AND NUTRITION REPORT
Benton County Health Services Data 2023-2024
Physical Exams
Of the enrolled 108 children enrolled:
100% received Medical Examinations
During the year, 108 Physical Exam were completed, 13 children had chronic health conditions and 13 children received treatment.
Chronic Health Conditions
Less than 2% of the children who had chronic health condition and showed a need for medical treatment. One child was diagnosed with asthma (in 2022-2023 0 children were diagnosed with asthma.)
Chronic Health Conditions 2023-2024
Asthma - 1 child (>0 in 2022-2023)
Seizures - 1 child
Life – Threatening Allergies (e.g., food allergies, bee stings, and medication allergies that may result in systemic anaphylaxis) - 1 child
Hearing Problems - 1 child
Vision Problems - 7 children
Dental Exams
Of the enrolled 108 children enrolled:
94% received Dental Examinations.
During the year, 102 Dental Exams were completed, 12 children needed dental treatment and 9 children received dental treatment.
Immunizations
100% of the children were up-to-date on immunization.
Health Insurance
100% of the children/families had Medical Homes when staff began working with them (at enrollment using CDC precautions).
98% of children had Health Insurance at enrollment. 98% of the ICS Children had Health Insurance at the end of enrollment.
89% of the children had Medicaid/CHIP at the beginning of the school year. At the end of enrollment, it was 89%.
9% of children had private health insurance at enrollment and at the end of enrollment.
Less than 2% of the children were without health insurance at the end of the school year.
NUTRITION
Total Meals Served
2023-2024
Mental Health (Wellness) Services
The Institute of Community Services, Inc. partners with six therapists to ensure our children, families and staff are supported. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness. Mental health consultants observe the classrooms monthly and individualize observations based on referrals from staff and parental consent. The consultants can also help staff and families access mental health interventions in the community, such as direct counseling, if needed.
- Communicare of Mississippi
- Mississippi Behavior Services
- Behavioral Consultants
- Community Counseling Services
- Angela Adams
- Life-core Health Group
BENTON COUNTY DISABILITY DATA 2023-2024
The Institute of Community Services. Inc. includes children with disabilities who participated in all program activities in an inclusive environment to support their positive outcomes. Identifying young children with unique developmental needs, ensuring children receive appropriate and timely services and helping families navigate eligibility guidelines is essential. The Office of Head Start requires 10% of the total funded enrollment must be children with special needs.
Overall, we received a total of 278 for our Head Start Preschool Program (Benton County and 13 County), which comes out to be .0996 or 10%.
2023-2024 PARENT ENGAGEMENT REPORT
Parent, Family and Community Engagement is the Heart of our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. It all starts in the Hearts of our staff, parents and communities. Parents have a vital role to play as the primary educators and supporters in a child's life. Establishing strong relationships between staff and parents is crucial in providing support and empowerment to parents on their parenting journey. Our team works closely with community partners to help families access the resources they need to reach their full potential. Despite encountering various obstacles and life challenges, the staff, parents, and communities have demonstrated exceptional strength and accomplished successful outcomes. Parents are making impressive progress, reaching their goals and working towards their aspirations for themselves and their child’s future.
Parent Gauge (Family Outcomes)
Parent Gauge is a family engagement assessment tool that is designed to measure the parent’s experience and the impact of our Head Start and Early Head Start program. This assessment tool is implemented twice a year. It allows us to identify areas of strengths and improvement.
Fatherhood/Male Involvement
100% of fathers or father figures actively engaged in workshops and activities specifically designed for male parents.
Research Based Parent Curriculum
100% of parents participated in the Systematic Training Effective Parenting curriculum.
Households (101 Families)
33 Two-Parent Families
68 Single-Parent Families
Parent Education
Highest level of education obtained by child’s parent(s) or guardian (s):
Parent Engagement Related Service Data 2023-2024
2023/24 YEAR END OUTCOME DATA SHOWING EFFORTS TO ENGAGE & PARTNER WITH PARENTS/FAMILIES
ASSET BUILDING / FINANCIAL LITERACY 99%
EMERGENCY/CRISIS SERVICES 0%
ESL CLASSES 2%
INCARCERATED FAMILY MEMBERS 1%
JOB TRAINING/AID TO ENROLL IN PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM 33%
RELATIONSHIP/MARRIAGE SESSIONS 0%
Parent Testimonial
Tiffany Traylor - Ashland Head Start Center Parent
2023-2024 AUDIT STATEMENT AND BUDGET
AUDIT
The Institute of Community Services, Inc. financial statement was prepared by ICS Fiscal staff and audited by an independent accounting firm. The financial statement present fairly in all material respects the financial positions of the Institute of Community Services, Inc. as of January 31, 2024.
The annual audit was conducted in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and as required by Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200.
The statement of financial positions, activities, functional expenses, and cash flows are all an integral part of these financial statements.
Frances Reola Young
Chief Financial Officer
Head Start Program
Benton County
January 31, 2024 Expenses
Proposed Budget January 31, 2025
Total Grant Award $3,670,176
Download the Benton County Report in English
Download the Benton County Report in Spanish