Metro Action's Head Start Program to Benefit From Early Childhood Initiative
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June 6, 2002 - Metro will benefit from the $130 million in federal funding earmarked for the Early Childhood Initiative, which calls for additional training for nearly 50,000 Head Start teachers nationwide.
Nashville's Metropolitan Action Commission's Head Start program, along with other Head Start programs from the Southeast region will gather here in Nashville for the first round of regional training on Monday, June 10 through June 13 at Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel.
"Nashville serves as the training site for the Region IV STEP Early Literacy Training program. We are excited about the additional qualification that will be gained by our Head Start teachers. This initiative continues the agency's commitment to improve early literacy skills in children and is also in line with Mayor Purcell's initiative regarding children and youth," said Cynthia Croom, Executive Director of Metro Action Commission.
Project STEP, the Summer Teacher Education Program, will provide nationwide, research-based literacy training for Head Start programs. STEP is designed to build upon existing quality improvement and professional development initiatives. STEP also addresses staff needs and skills in early literacy that will enhance Head Start's capacity to deliver a quality early literacy program.
President Bush has directed the National Head Start Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to implement the national training project to equip teachers with best practices for pre-reading and language teaching techniques for young children.
"This
yearlong training effort includes conferences, coaching and mentoring,
and distance learning literacy courses. Five of the Metro Action
Head Start locations will serve as Distance Learning Literacy sites,
where ongoing training will be available to our staff as well as
local child care providers," said Croom.
Metro Action's Head Start program, is an early intervention program
for young children in low-income families. Head Start encourages
early child development and provides classroom instruction for children
between the ages 3-5 years.
Metro's Head Start program has 73 teachers serving approximately 1,485 children enrolled in the agency's 9 Head Start centers, 6 local child care facilities and 2 metro school locations in Davidson County.
DHHS has contracted with the University of Texas Center for Improving the Readiness of Children for Learning and Education (CIRCLE) to conduct Project STEP here in Nashville as well as across the United States and Puerto Rico.