Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. is conducting its 34^th annual merit-based, competitive scholarship program for former Head Start students graduating from high school in June 2020 and continuing their education. To date, the LCHS Alumni Scholarship Program has awarded 272 scholarships totaling $256,750.

In order to qualify, applicants must be graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a post-secondary education and they must be able to show proof of enrollment in any Head Start program. The scholarships are provided through private sponsors including local businesses, charitable foundations and other community organizations.

To download the application, click HERE. All applications should be filled out and e-mailed to lchsscholarship@hsweb.org or mailed to Luzerne County Head Start, Inc., 23 Beekman St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, Attn: Lindsey Fredericks, community advocate. For more information, contact Lindsey Fredericks, community advocate, Luzerne County Head Start, Inc., 570-829-6231 or email lindseyf@hsweb.org.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications in their entirety must be submitted by 4pm on Friday, January 24, 2020 in order to be considered.

Employees from Geisinger Health System made a special trip to Luzerne County Head Start’s (LCHS) Beekman St., Wilkes-Barre location. They were invited to make pancakes for children alongside Head Start kitchen staff. Following the meal preparation, Geisinger staff sat down and enjoyed breakfast with children in classroom #16 and took part in a number of activities with the boys and girls.

Geisinger is one of many community partners who help LCHS to provide comprehensive services to children and their families enrolled in the Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts programs.

The mission of the Geisinger Health System is to enhance the quality of life through an integrated health service organization based on a balanced program of patient care, education, research and community service.

Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. is the 2019 recipient of the the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce’s Healthy Workplace Award. The awards program recognizes businesses and individuals throughout the Greater Wilkes-Barre area in a number of different categories. The Healthy Workplace Award is presented to a business or businesses in Luzerne County that promote health and wellness within their organizations.

Over the past year, LCHS’s newly formed health and wellness committee has worked diligently toward promoting health and wellness initiatives in the workplace. Additionally, LCHS’s employee wellness program allows all staff the option to receive flu shots, blood pressure checks and bone density tests. Employees also participate in the annual March Mayhem step competition; the winners are awarded gift cards as a token for their success.

LCHS is one of four organizations in Luzerne County that will accept the 2019 Healthy Workplace Award at The Chamber’s annual dinner in November.

October is Head Start Awareness month and children enrolled in Luzerne County Head Start (LCHS) welcomed a guest reader to their classrooms to celebrate.  LCHS’s Edwardsville center held a special guest reader day to support this month-long initiative, where State Rep. Aaron Kaufer was invited to visit the children.  He spent some time in each of the three Head Start classrooms reading the book, “Peanut Butter and Jelly” to the boys and girls.

Head Start is an income-based program that was created in 1965 to provide comprehensive health, nutrition, and educational opportunities for America’s most vulnerable children and their families.  President Reagan first proclaimed October as Head Start Awareness Month on Oct. 22, 1982.  LCHS provides Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts services to more than 1,200 children birth to age five, their families, and women who are pregnant in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.