Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals Head Start Partnership Program

Beginning in November 2004, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), launched an innovative Head Start Partnership Program with private childcare centers in the following community areas of Chicago:

• Austin
• West Garfield Park
• East Garfield Park
• Albany Park
• Archer Heights
• Chicago Lawn
• West Englewood
• Ashburn
• Roseland
• Washington Heights

Through the collaboration of private providers and Head Start staff, the Partnership Program works to establish shared goals through ongoing planning and review of best practices for all early care programs that integrate both Head Start systems and NAEYC standards.

Training and mentoring opportunities are available to Private Childcare Partners and parents to support the achievement of program excellence within each of the following components:

• Disability Services
• Education and Early Childhood Services
• Family and Community Services
• Health Services
• Nutrition Services
• Mental Health Services
• Safe Environments

In conjunction with these program components, strong parent and community partnerships are continuously developed and maintained through Family Partnership Agreements and Community Linkage Agreements. These connections are core elements in the success of the program.

For more information, please contact:
Tracey Mikasa
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago
Gilchrist-Marchman Center
1001 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL  60608
773-492-7402 x 237 Phone
773-492-9014 Fax
tmikasa@eastersealschicago.org