Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Local participation in Kosciusko County's Headstart program might have been slow at first, but it's catching on after less than two years.
Local officials are seeking a grant to expand services from 68 children to 98 in the program aimed at helping preschool-age children prepare for school.
Last year, the local waiting list reached 90. With about 50 of those kids entering kindergarten, the list is back down to about 40, but that's still too many, said Carol Droke, director of Kosciusko County Headstart.
Initially, the program was intended to serve 80 kids, but participants were slow to come forward and funding was provided for 68.
"Once the word got out that Headstart was available, that's when the waiting list was established and continues to grow."
Droke is cautiously optimistic about receiving the $138,000 needed to expand.
Congress approved a $411 million increase in Headstart funding last year, and Indiana was provided with $3.1 million in additional funding.
Details on the number of agencies in Indiana seeking expansion grant money was not available Friday.
The local request has the support of Rep. Tim Roemer, who sought federal expansion of the program last year.
Kosciusko County was the final county in Indiana to establish Headstart. Since beginning operations in January 1995, the agency has served 201 children. The program consists of two classes in Warsaw and one each in North Webster and Mentone.
If expansion is approved, a class would be added in Warsaw and Silver Lake. The agency also hopes to acquire two more buses, which would bring its fleet to five.
While some agencies operate full-day, year-round programs, Kosciusko County offers half-day classes four days a week during the school year. The agency attempted full-day classes last year, but quickly realized it couldn't serve as many children, Droke said.
As the county's Hispanic population rises, so does the number Hispanic participants in the program. Of the 68 children, five spoke no English and three had limited English skills. The program has an interpreter who works to improve the student's bilingual skills.
"The Hispanic community in general is slow to accept... people who are not from the community, but once they understand what can be offered, then they really embrace it and I feel that's what's happening now," she said.
Headstart serves low-income children. Unlike other parts of the nation, Droke said, most parents have jobs. But because of the county's unusually high level of divorces, the program works with more single parents.
