Head Start

GRACE HILL Initiates M.O.R.E.  F O R  H E A D  S T A R T

The M.O.R.E. for Head Start Program focuses on low-income families including refugees and immigrants, who at times fail to take advantage of community resources for education and health.

This pilot  program is geared towards the families involved with our Head Start centers in the South St. Louis area  and assists them with both increasing their knowledge base and skill building. The program demonstrates how technology can be structured in a way that allows underprivileged families with few resources, education or training to enjoy the benefits of easy access to information, program and services.

This Pilot Program will serve 600 Head Start families in the 63118 zip code and eventually will serve 27,000 patients of the Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers. 

The program consists of:

• A WEB interface to simplify technology and improve accessibility to information.

• On-line delivery of Head Start parent orientation and training courses on Child Care, Parenting, Wellness, and Nutrition to develop self skills

• Content provided in both English and Spanish to eliminate most language barriers allowing easy access to information and resources.

• Access to  information on their children’s Head Start progress, health issues  and year-round calendar of events. M.O.R.E. for Head Start Partners Grace Hill  works with four primary partners to deliver the M.O.R.E. for Head Start services. 

They are:

• International Institute (IT): Following a joint plan per specific needs, IT  provides consultation in the planning and implementation of the Grace Hill MORE Head Start project.  Translation and interpretation provided for the WEB site and directly for training programs for parents and neighbors.

• Forest Park Community College: Initial training on PC/WEB access for participants in skills to access and secure information from the Grace Hill WEB site on the Head Start program and Health Centers about their own children’s development and progress.

• Washington University: Will complete the evaluation of the program.

• Youth in Need (YIN): Assists with identifying families for MORE Program and assisting families in using the online system.