Early Head Start joins Head Start in Brewton

"The transformation thats been going on here is really exciting for us," said (GRECS) Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services President Wendy McEarchern. "We are excited to be here in Brewton. Once we have a more clear date to open, we will have a grand opening to let the community know we are here."

McEarchern is referring to Brewton's Head Start, which has been open under Community Action of Alabama 1207 Belleville Avenue for 10 years, but recently the five-year grant wound up in the Designated Recompetition System (DRS) for the second time. McEarchern said that it can happen for different reasons, such as low enrollment, facilities that do not meet code, and other possible reasons.

"We were encouraged to apply for the grant," said McEarchern. "We knew there was interest in Georgia and Florida, so we threw our hat in the ring. We turned our proposal in November 2018 and we finally got the grant reward in August."

She said Head Start couldn't open back up in Freemanville in Atmore basically because the facilities were not up to par.

McEarchern said the grant is not from the state or county government, its comes from federal money. "The Head Start Program is more than 50 years old," she said. "Congress just passed a huge increase for Head Start, which will go to help support those increasing salaries for the teachers and help what we are doing for the buildings, such as creating improved playgrounds, replacing equipment, etc."

McEarchern said the building belongs to Brewton pediatrician Dr. Marsha Raulerson, whose office is next door. Raulerson, a big proponent of early intervention in babies, wrote a letter of support for the program in Brewton.

McEarchern said they were required to remove walls in the building to make larger classrooms and renovate and update the kitchen. The facility was serving more than 430 students with three- and four-year-olds in the regular Head Start program. She said they had to readjust their budget to incorporate the renovations, which makes the financing end of opening the facility a bit more difficult.

"We will now do Early Head Start, which serves pregnant women through three-years olds, and the cost for doing that is a lot higher," said McEarchern. "The cost per child can limit our ability to do other beneficial things."

She said when they decided to open the early program, they would establish how many slots for each age group beforehand, which got the cost per child up.

Determining which children who had been there previously could return was another challenge, according to McEarchern.

She said Community Action turned over the files to GRECS, but that it wasn't until October. She said they held community meetings to let the parents know.

Early Head Start under GRECS is in two classrooms at Rachel Patterson Elementary School in Atmore, where 16 children are enrolled in the early program who will be there through three years, and three regular Head Start classrooms.

They also opened a childcare partner in the Lighthouse Daycare Center in Bay Minette recently and one in Daphne.

"This has been the last one, and it's been the most challenging one," said McEarchern. "We connected with Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) through a friend and they have been wonderful to work with on the renovation process."

She said there are plans to install an infant and toddler playground at the facility and fences. There are also plans to expand the pre-school room. They hope to have the center open by April, but she said they cannot apply for licensing by the Department of Human Resources until the facility passes an inspection.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in either program can apply to see if certain requirements are met to qualify.

"Eligibility requirements are based on a point system," said Catherine Kreger, Head Start Director. "Parents need to fill out an application, and we will set up enrollment dates. Theys do fill up quickly."

Kreger said there are categories that automatically qualify children, such as homelessness or if a child is in foster care, among others. They don't have to be the on waiting list, they get to come above everybody."

She said there are situations that effect selection, such as percentage at poverty level, status of employment, disability in a child and others.

Parents can apply right now until the end of May, when another enrollment session will start.

"We can't hold slots open, so we have to see if children qualify when each enrollment session begins.," said Kreger. "If a child comes in at six weeks old, and they qualify, they automatically qualify through three years. Then the child can apply for regular Headstart."

She said they have to clear thorough background and criminal checks and be tested for tuberculosis.

The hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and there are no fees. Two meals, breakfast and lunch will be served daily along with a snack at 2 p.m. before the children go home.

"There's a huge family engagement component incorporating families throughout the entire program. We help family access anything that they may need," said Kreger. "We also ensure the children have health screenings."

Cassie Harris worked at Head Start in Brewton for many years and will continues to work with GRECS as a team member.

"There is research-based curriculum we utilize," said Cassie Harris. "For the infants and toddlers, we provide formula, diapers, everything they need. Parents bring nothing but a change of clothes for their child. All school supplies are free, and our classrooms are well-stocked."

The facility will have a health coordinator on site, according to Kreger.

"We have a qualified person to dispense to meds to children with chronic conditions or authorized medication the child needs and everyone involved is trained specifically for that child's health needs," said Kreger. "We have administrative staff and teams to provide services to all of the programs at all of the sights."

Kreger said that 10 percent of the program's student population are children with disabilities.

"They are part of the everyday program as much as possible and the children participate with their peer group." she said. 'We will provide adaptive equipment and services and work with early intervention and school system LEA (Local Education Agency) to provide on-site support for those. We are also ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and accessible. We also do developmental screenings to assess what services may be required."

Early Head Start teachers are required to have a child development associate credential.

Kreger said that 50 percent of the regular Head Start teachers have to have bachelor's degree in early childhood education, and an assistant teacher has to agree to get a child development associate credential within two years of employment.

Anyone interested in applying for a position with Head Start can contact Head Start Sight Supervisor Tammy Green at 251-363-7255.

For more information on programs, visit http://www.GRECS.org.

Applications for enrollment can be picked up at 1207 Belleville Avenue in Brewton.