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. In Head Start, five-day classroom sessions held year round, and half-day sessions during the school year are provided for children ages 3-5 years.

Camp Point Center

Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. In Head Start, two five-hour classes that meet five days per week are offered for 10 months for children ages 3-5 years.

Beardstown Center

In Head Start, two half-day sessions are offered for the 9-month school year for children ages 3-5 years.

Pittsfield Center

Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. In Head Start, one half-day session and a full-day session are offered for the 9-month school year for children ages 3-5 years.

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.

Macomb PACT provides child care in collaboration with Western Illinois University & the Department of Human Services. The Macomb PACT/WIU Child Care Center is open to children of parents who are either Western Illinois University staff or students or PACT staff.

Located on the Western Illinois University campus in the University Services Building, 320 University Drive, the child care center is serviced by the Go West bus line, making it a convenient location for students.  The facility provides child care for children ages six weeks to 3 years.  Families may apply for child care assistance through the Illinois Department of Human Services.  If eligible, weekly co-payment is determined by IDHS.  Families interested in child care services should call the Macomb center at 309-298-3143.