Step Forward, Ohio’s designated anti-poverty agency for Cuyahoga County, confirms it raised $9,700 for the National Head Start Association’s Dollar Per Child campaign.
Head Start is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive education and support services to children under the age of five and their families. Head Start focuses on building a strong educational foundation so that each child, regardless of his or her circumstances, is prepared to enter kindergarten. It serves more than one million children nationwide.
Head Start collaborates with multiple sources, including federal, state and local governments, but with recent budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, the program – like many others - has faced significant financial challenges in recent years.
“Dollar per Child is the National Head Start Association’s annual fundraising campaign,” Lisa Payne Jones, Step Forward’s In-Kind Coordinator, explained. “The goal is to raise one dollar for each child enrolled within Head Start.”
According to the NHSA website, the additional funding goes toward advocacy and awareness.
“Dollar per Child raises awareness about the critical role that early childhood education plays in setting children up for success in school and life,” Jones explained. “Studies have shown that children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs like Step Forward’s Head Start are more likely to succeed academically, have better social and emotional development and are more likely to graduate from high school.”
Head Start also helps ensure children are receiving comprehensive health, nutrition, dental and mental health resources.
Throughout 2023, Step Forward Head Start sites raised as much money as it could to put toward NHSA’s Dollar per Child campaign. The site that raised the most was Willard Head Start, with their donation amounting to $2,943. Carl B. Stokes and George Forbes both raised more than $1,000.
There are several ways to get involved with Head Start’s Dollar per Child campaign:
Make a donation directly to your local Head Start program or to the National Head Start Association
Spread the word about the Dollar per Child campaign by sharing information on social media
Contact your elected representatives and urge them to support funding for Head Start programs
Step Forward will present its record-breaking donation at the NHSA’s 50th annual National Head Start Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Give your child a Head Start and enroll today! Click here.
Step Forward Head Start is hiring!
The agency is offering a sign-on bonus of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.
Positions include teachers, family service workers, nutrition aides and more. Step Forward Head Start is looking for education staff passionate about preparing young students for the future and helping them develop a love for learning early. Take a step toward a new fulfilling career today! Learn more and apply to open positions here.