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.