Parent and Child Together (PACT) connects families with community services and assists families in achieving personal and family goals. At our Central Office, we have a Resource Library composed of books, DVDs, and other materials available for parents and staff to check out information on a variety of topics to meet their needs. Resources can be check out for a period of two weeks. To check out one of these resources, please contact your Family Advocate or Home-Based Teacher.
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To make a referral, use the form below or call 1-800-443-7228.
How to Apply
Eligible families meet limited income guidelines as shown below and/or receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Also, foster children or children whose familes are considered homeless are eligible. PACT reserves no less than 10% of enrollment slots for children who have special needs, regardless of income. PACT serves families up to 130% of the Poverty Guideline; and up to 10% of enrollment slots may be children over those income guidelines. Generally, PACT completes applications with families whose incomes are under these guidelines, and families whose incomes are not more than $5,000 over these guidelines.
2019 Income Guidelines (Yearly)
Family Size 100% Poverty Guideline
1 $12,490
2 $16,910
3 $21,330
4 $25,750
5 $30,170
6 $34,590
7 $39,010
8 $43,430
Interested families are encouraged to apply and eligibility will be determined by program staff. For more information, call 1-800-443-7228 or 217-773-3903. Enter the following information so that a PACT program staff member can contact you to apply for services for pregnant women and children through four years of age.
Inkind Match Required
PACT receives grant funding from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to operate Head Start and Early Head Start. The funding requires a 20% inkind match through donated funds, space, materials, volunteer hours, and services from the communities where services are provided. If PACT does not receive the 20% match, we cannot expend all of our funds and may not be able to provide all of our services.
How You Can Help
Cash Donations
PACT is a not-for-profit 501C-3 organization, therefore donations are tax deductible. You may specify that your donation be used for a specific purpose, such as children’s books for a particular center, to purchase playground equipment, or for hats and gloves for children to use during outdoor play. If you are interested in knowing what some of our needs are, please click here to contact our Executive Director.
Volunteer Hours
Both program parents and community members are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer in our program. PACT volunteer hours are “valued” at a dollar amount and are counted as part of the inkind match from the local community. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities available in our agency. Please review the Volunteer Brochure and call our Mt. Sterling Office or your local center to volunteer.
Head Start is a nationwide program funded by the Administration for Children and Families. The program is designed to provide learning experiences for families and children age birth-5 years of age.
Early Head Start services are offered to pregnant women and children ages birth-36 months in Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott Counties in Illinois.
Head Start services are offered to families with children ages 3 and 4 years in Cass, McDonough, Pike, and rural Adams Counties in Illinois.
PACT for West Central Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or other factors prohibited by law in any of its educational services, activities, enrollments, or employment practices.
Teachers visit assigned families once a week for 90 minutes. The parent is viewed as the primary educator of the child, using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum. Home Based Services are supplemented by classroom socialization activities held twice a month for two hours.
Home Visits are offered to pregnant women and children ages birth to 36 months in Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott Counties.
Infants, toddlers, and two-year-old children attend group socializations with their parents and receive a snack approved by USDA guidelines at no charge.
Services are family-centered and include:
Education: Learning activities that lead to development in areas of language, literacy, math, science, creative arts, social/emotional, and health and physical development, using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum.
Social Services: Home Based Teachers connect families with community services, assisting families to achieve personal educational goals as well as individual family goals.
Parent Engagement: Parents receive education through parent meetings, parent-initiated activities, and workshops. Parents are involved in the decision-making process of the PACT agency and classroom curriculum, through the Policy Council.
Special Services: At least 10% of all enrollments are reserved for children with special needs, regardless of income level. A variety of services can be provided based on the needs of the child and the wishes of the family.
Health: PACT assists with physical examinations and other age appropriate health screenings, as well as nutritional assessments.
PACT Head Start Centers are located in Pittsfield, Beardstown, Macomb, and Camp Point. Classroom services range from 3 1/2 hour sessions to 7 1/2 hour sessions. Family Advocates provide social service referrals and information on health needs/services in the home to families on a regular basis.
Macomb Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9-month school year are held. WIU Students and Staff who are income eligible for HS/EHS are given priority on waiting list.
Camp Point Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, one five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9- month school year are held.
Beardstown Center
For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9-month school year are held.
Pittsfield Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9- month school year are held.
Children enrolled in the Center Based programs receive meals approved by USDA guidelines at no charge. Services are family-centered and include:
Education: Learning activities that lead to development in areas of language, literacy, mathematics, social and emotional functioning, approaches to learning, science, physical skills, and creative arts, using The Creative Curriculum. This research-based curriculum is aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and the Illinois Early Learning Development Standards.
Social Services: Family Advocates connect families with community services, and staff assists families to achieve personal educational goals as well as individual family goals.
Parent Engagement: Parents receive education through parent meetings, parent-initiated activities, and workshops. Parents are responsible for the direction of the PACT agency program through the Policy Council.
Special Services: At least 10% of all enrollments are reserved for children with special needs, regardless of income level. Enrollment is not denied based on disability or chronic health condition or its severity. A variety of services can be provided based on the needs of the child and family.
Health: PACT assists with physical examinations and other age appropriate health screenings, including oral health, as well as nutritional assessments.
Head Start is a nationwide program funded by the Administration for Children and Families. The program is designed to provide learning experiences for families and children age birth to 5 years of age.
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2019 - 2023
PACT, Parent & Child Together for West Central Illinois