Skye Stern passes his ear and eye exam at the Alakanuk Head Start. Photo by Hilda Stern
Download the 2016 Head Start Annual Report (PDF).
Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs serving low-income children and their families. RurAL CAP has operated Head Starts in rural Alaska since 1965. Head Start serves children ages three to five and Early Head Start serves prenatal women and children ages birth to three. The programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other related services.
The programs also help parents make progress toward their own education, literacy and employment goals. Local Parent Committees are formed at each Head Start Center to assist the staff in curriculum development, increase community support and offer advice on programmatic and fiscal decisions. Parents help determine the cultural appropriateness and responsiveness of program services.
2016 Head Start and Early Head Start Highlights
- 811 children were served
- 28 families who were homeless were served
- 62children with special needs were served
| Early Head Start | Head Start | ||
| Akiak | Akiak | Kake | Nunapitchuk |
| Hooper Bay | Alakanuk | Ketchikan | Pilot Station |
| Kwethluk | Anchorage | Kluti Kaah | Savoonga |
| Nunapitchuk | Chevak | Kodiak | Stebbins |
| Pilot Station | Emmonak | Kwethluk | Sterling |
| St. Mary’s | Haines | Marshall | Tok/Tanacross |
| Homer | Mountain Village | Toksook Bay | |
| Hooper Bay | Napaskiak |