Head Start Awareness Month October

Pending the signatures of Carol W. Kurdell, Chair of The School Board of Hillsborough County, and MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, October 2009 will officially be proclaimed “Head Start Awareness Month” in Hillsborough County.
It is a way to give thanks to the Hillsborough County Public School Head Start Program who strives to help children and families achieve success and put an end the succession of poverty.

Head Start works to connect families with amenities and services offered within the community so they can sufficiently fill the needs of the family. In Hillsborough County, the program currently helps 1,759 children of low-income families break in to the educational system with a better chance of success. Megan Clark a University of Tampa Student, tutors at Desoto Elementary and has the opportunity to work hands on with the beneficiaries of the program. “Head Start is ideal in that it levels the academic playing field,” says Clark, “it gives equal opportunities to children of all income families.”

For over forty years Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has managed the Head Start Program as an organized division of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. By designating October “Head Start Awareness Month,” HCPS can bring recognition to the education, health, nutrition, disabilities, and family services provided by affiliates of the program within the community. “Sometimes things get cluttered, it’s always an awareness month, but it can still get the attention of the public” said Stephen Hegarty, the Communications Officer for HCPS, “Head Start has a good message, it’s successful, and people take it for granted so its for an extra push”.

The Head Start Program and sustaining partners work with families so that in the future they can achieve success independently. By designating October as “Head Start Awareness Month,” Hillsborough County can give back to the programs unsung heroes in the community.


Arielle Hochman