50 years later, Head Start still works

Head Start celebrates 50 years of existence this year. As a former Head Start student, I reflected on some of my accomplishments and experiences I have had largely due to being given a good foundation, which included Head Start.

I attended Head Start in the early 1970s in Waterloo. I was born initially into a two-parent household, and my mother did not work outside the home. My mom enjoyed the family participation required for me to attend Head Start. She especially enjoyed the educational ideas given to her to promote my early educational development.

Now 43 years later, I am a contributing member to my community, a wife, a mother, and a college graduate obtaining two master's degrees and a doctoral degree in education. History has taught us that education is a way out of poverty and economic despair. Education has the power to change lives.

After my early years in Head Start, my mom became a single parent due to the incarceration of my father. To fill the void of his absence, I developed a natural love for reading. This love for reading was sparked initially by my mother and enhanced through the guidance she received as a Head Start parent.

I benefitted from the services of our local Head Start program run by TriCounty Child and Family. Others across the state benefit from 18 other Head Start grantees.

Head Start uses a two-generational model to eradicate poverty and change lives. Two generations are served by providing support to both the parent(s) and student. This support for parents may take the form of assisting parents to reach self-sufficiency by returning to school or searching for a job. The supports for students involve both social and educational development, health, nutrition and physical development.

Head Start has existed for 50 years largely due to the countless number of success stories around the country and the federal funding granted to sustain the program. I too am living example that Head Start works.

CHARLETTA SUDDETH is a pre-kindergarten consultant at Waterloo Public Schools. Contact: sudduthc@waterlooschools.org