October is Head Start Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children, families and staff who make Head Start such an important part of communities across the nation. For more than 60 years, Head Start providers like Luzerne County Head Start have helped children build a foundation for school and life while supporting parents and families along the way.

LCHS invited local, state and federal elected officials to join this nationwide celebration throughout the month of October by reading stories to Head Start children in Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

Congressman Dan Meuser

Special guests included Congressman Dan Meuser, who read “The Great Cookie Kerfuffle” to a Head Start class and met with the agency’s executive team. They discussed the vital role Head Start plays in building strong futures for children while supporting working families. Congressman Meuser had the opportunity to hear from a former Head Start parent on the LCHS staff about her experiences with the program and how it helps families move toward a more stable and independent future.

They also talked about the importance of continued federal funding for Head Start, as well as the proposed changes to the regulations that govern Head Start programs. LCHS leaders shared the opinion that any revisions to the Head Start Performance Standards should strengthen the ability of programs to meet the unique needs of their communities, not create barriers to essential services.

Additionally, LCHS arranged visits with state officials and city mayors to read stories to children in the areas they represent and meet with LCHS leadership.

Sen. Dave Argall

Rep. Dane Watro

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

As a little boy, Jeremiah struggled to express himself through speech.  

With support from Luzerne County Head Start, he underwent speech therapy, socialized with other children his age and slowly gained the skills and confidence he needed to communicate. 

Today, he’s 10 years old and in fifth grade, and his speech is clear.

“These services showed me that Head Start cares about more than just what happens inside the classroom,” said his mother, Anjelica. “The program understands that families may need different types of support and works to help them in whatever ways possible.” 

Meanwhile, a simple job search had changed the trajectory of Anjelica’s life, putting her on the path to becoming an early childhood educator. 

“Head Start helped my son find his voice, and in a way, it helped me find my purpose,” she said. 

Anjelica enrolled Jeremiah in Early Head Start home services when he was a toddler. Then, he transitioned into a Head Start classroom. She recalled how Jeremiah would come home from school, eager to share the day’s lessons with her. She was especially proud of him for learning how to write his letters and full name.

Being an only child, Head Start provided opportunities for Jeremiah to interact with other children his age. This, along with receiving services through Early Intervention, significantly helped his speech development. He also formed a special bond with his teacher, Ms. Sarah.

“As a parent, I wanted my son to be somewhere he would feel safe, loved, supported and excited to learn,” Anjelica said. “Head Start provided all of that and so much more.”

All the while, Anjelica was gaining confidence as a parent and learning how to advocate for her son. She came to understand how important the early years are in a child’s life – a lesson she carries with her now as a Head Start teacher. 

One of Anjelica’s goals in Early Head Start was to find a job, and she heard LCHS was hiring. A few months into working as a classroom aide, Anjelica knew that she wanted to become a teacher. She loved helping students learn, reach milestones and build their self-confidence. 

She completed her Child Development Associate credential within the first year and was promoted to assistant teacher the following year. Then, she earned her associate degree in early childhood education and moved up to lead teacher. Now, she’s one semester away from finishing her bachelor’s degree. 

“Being both a former Head Start parent and now a Head Start teacher gives me a different perspective. I understand what families are feeling because I was once in their position,” Anjelica said. “I know how much it means to have a teacher who genuinely cares about your child and celebrates their accomplishments. The best part of my job is knowing that I can make a difference in a child’s life, even through the smallest moments.”

Anjelica said Head Start is more than a place for children to learn their letters, numbers and shapes. Designed to focus on the whole family, the program offers comprehensive support to parents and caregivers that can impact their lives in varied ways. It takes the strengths, needs and experiences of each child and their family into account and meets them where they are. 

“I have seen the difference Head Start made in my son’s life, and now I get to be part of making that same difference for other children,” she said. “That is something I will always be proud of.”

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

When Cady enrolled her children in Luzerne County Head Start, she was seeking an early learning program that would prepare them for kindergarten while supporting their development.  

“Head Start has been a great experience for me and my children,” she said. “It has helped my children learn and grow while giving me peace of mind knowing they are getting the support they need.”

Her 4-year-old was struggling with severe behavioral issues when he started preschool, and she hoped that being around other children his age would improve his behavior and social skills. A behavioral health technician was assigned to support his needs in the classroom. In time, he was doing so well that his BHT and the Head Start staff agreed these extra services were no longer needed.

“Seeing his progress has meant so much to me as a mom,” Cady said.

Head Start also helped ease the transition to kindergarten for her 5-year-old, giving him the experience and tools he needed to thrive in elementary school.

Throughout the family’s Head Start experience, Cady has taken comfort in knowing her children are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment. She is also a member of the Policy Council, an elected group of parents and caregivers who meet monthly and provide input on Luzerne County Head Start services. Cady said participating in the Policy Council allows her to share opinions, get more involved in the program and make a difference for other families.

Seeing the outcomes for her own children, Cady said she would recommend Head Start to other families because it helps children build social skills, learn and prepare for kindergarten. It has made a significant mark on their lives as a family, she said.  

“I’m just very thankful for everything Head Start has done for my children and our family. The staff have made a real difference in my children’s lives, and I’m grateful for the support, patience and opportunities they provide,” she said. “I hope other families get to experience the same positive impact we have.”

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

Sarah found support at Luzerne County Head Start during a major transitional period for her family. 

She and her son, Brentley, had just moved back to the area from Texas. They were temporarily staying with Sarah’s mother as Sarah worked on finding a place of their own. During this time of uncertainty, Sarah decided to enroll Brentley in Head Start. 

“I knew my child needed stability, routine and opportunities to socialize in a safe, nurturing and supportive learning environment,” Sarah said. “Head Start provided exactly that.”

Sarah formed a special bond with her family worker, Heidi. Knowing Sarah had just relocated and was essentially starting from scratch, Heidi immediately connected her with services like WIC. When Sarah wasn’t sure if she could afford Christmas presents for Brentley, Heidi also arranged for a community partner to cover his wish list. 

“Beyond connecting me to essential resources, Heidi became a source of emotional support during one of the most difficult transitions of my life,” Sarah said. “In many ways, she was my ‘therapist,’ always there to listen, encourage me and help me navigate everything I was going through.”

Sarah said Brentley thrived in Head Start and loved Ms. Heidi, as well as his teachers, Ms. Kim and Ms. Lisa. Head Start played an important role in his early development, and by the end, he was prepared to take the next step to kindergarten.

For Sarah, the experience with her family worker was life changing. Inspired to become a social worker herself, Sarah earned her associate degree, then her bachelor’s degree. As soon as she graduated, she knew she was meant to work at LCHS. 

“I applied to become a family worker, just as Heidi had been, with the hope of supporting and positively impacting the lives of others in the same way she had impacted mine,” she said. 

Sarah was later promoted to family engagement specialist, where she continues making a difference while supporting the program’s family workers. She appreciates how Head Start values the voices and experiences of both current and former parents. The two-generation approach is one of the factors that sets Head Start apart from other programs and makes it meaningful and impactful for families, Sarah said. 

“What makes Head Start truly special is that the focus extends beyond the children,” she said. “The program recognizes the importance of supporting the entire family and connecting parents and caregivers with resources and opportunities that can help improve their lives.”

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

As a Head Start student, Lillian admired her teachers so much that she would come home and pretend to be one herself while playing school.

When the time came to seriously consider her future career options, she reflected on all the teachers who had made an impact throughout her life. This included the staff at Luzerne County Head Start’s Plains Center, who she credits with giving her educational journey a strong beginning. Head Start provided a place where Lillian felt supported and excited to learn, while also offering her family the resources they needed to succeed.

Wanting to make a difference in the same way, Lillian decided to pursue an associate degree in early childhood education – even earning a Head Start Alumni Scholarship and returning to LCHS to complete her student teaching requirements. Now, she’s back where it all began, serving as an associate teacher in the LCHS Pittston New Street Center while working toward her bachelor’s degree.

“I know that some of the children who walk into my classroom may be facing circumstances similar to what my own family experienced, and I want them to know that their circumstances do not determine where they can go in life,” she said. “Being able to give back to a program that gave so much to me and my family is something I am incredibly grateful for, and I hope I can be the kind of teacher that my Head Start teachers were for me.”

Lillian’s family enrolled her and her sister in Head Start because they wanted to make sure their children were ready for school. The family was low income at the time and expecting another child.

Ms. Robin and Ms. Theresa, as well as the classroom’s Foster Grandma Cookie, always found ways to make the school day exciting. Lillian can still clearly picture good times like their field trip to Hillside Farms, or when her teachers transformed their classroom into a campsite. The program also provided assistance for Lillian’s family, including gifts during the holiday season.

“Looking back now, I realize that Head Start wasn’t just there to prepare me academically and socially for school,” Lillian said. “The program also supported my whole family during a time when that extra help really mattered.”

Lillian finds joy in working with Head Start children and seeing the wonder and beauty of the world through their eyes. She said it’s been surreal to return to Head Start and experience the classroom from the other side. In many ways, the room is still set up the way she remembers it, which makes coming back feel like even more of a full-circle experience.

“The best part of my job is simply seeing the children smile, learn and have fun. I love watching a child get excited because they learned how to write a letter, or seeing a group of children playing family together in the dramatic play center,” she said. “Those moments might seem small, but they are some of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Seeing their excitement and knowing that I get to be a part of these early experiences really does make my day.”

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

Luzerne County Head Start provided Samantha with a supportive environment to step out of her comfort zone. Meanwhile, her mother Heidi was beginning a career making a difference in the lives of other families.

Samantha suffered from severe anxiety as a child, particularly separation anxiety. Samantha’s doctor suggested putting her in daycare or preschool, but the family couldn’t afford it. They qualified for Pre-K Counts at LCHS, which gave Samantha the start she needed.

At first, Samantha struggled with anxiety in the classroom, even hiding when the school nurse visited for screenings. Over time, she adjusted to the environment while learning to manage her anxiety. Samantha developed a close bond with her teacher Miss Pat, who not only eased the transition, but encouraged her to socialize and develop independence.

“I believe Head Start impacted my life by giving me that strong foundation of learning and many techniques for both myself and my mom to use when I struggled most with my anxiety,” Samantha said.

During this period, Heidi was pursuing her college degree. She began volunteering at LCHS, which turned into a classroom substitute role. This led to working as an associate teacher once she graduated. Later, she pivoted to home visiting as an Early Head Start family educator.

Heidi worked with families who were nervous about sending their children to preschool. She shared her own experiences, which lessened their worries about the transition. Today, Heidi is a family worker, which blends her love of supporting families with being in the classroom.

“I am thankful for Head Start for many reasons,” Heidi said. “One is for supporting me and my family when my child was part of the program and giving me the opportunity to help families like mine.”

Years later, Samantha received a Head Start Alumni Scholarship to continue her education. Now 21, she is in the 1-2-1 Nursing Dual Degree Program with King’s College and Luzerne County Community College. She even had the opportunity to catch up with Miss Pat when her class came to LCHS for observations.

“I want to thank Head Start for being an important part in my education journey and I would like to thank my teachers for their kindness and support,” Samantha said.

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate

When Brooke first came to Luzerne County Head Start as a young mother, she was touched by the supportive and understanding staff. It was clear how much they cared for each family.

“They make every child feel special in their program,”  she said.

Brooke decided to enroll her daughters because they were struggling to learn basic skills. Both girls participated in the Early Head Start home visiting program for infants and toddlers before transitioning to a Head Start preschool classroom. 

Her 5-year-old daughter Olivia had speech issues when she first started with LCHS. Olivia went from not speaking at all to talking in full sentences and effectively communicating with others, thanks in part to support and referrals from LCHS. Though she still struggles with enunciation, she continues making progress toward her speech goals. 

Brooke’s older daughter Anastasia, who is now 10, showed behavioral issues during her time with LCHS. Staff helped Brooke address her daughter’s challenging behaviors and referred her to community resources. This led to Anastasia’s eventual diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

LCHS also supported the family through a challenging time when they had no choice but to leave their current living situation. Staff assisted Brooke with finding stable housing and helped the family with everything they needed along the way.

Brooke said it’s bittersweet that Olivia will begin kindergarten is moving on to kindergarten, as the staff at LCHS have come to feel like part of their family. 

“I would recommend LCHS to other families with little children because I think kids need that structure and the help so they are better prepared for what’s to come when they start school,” she said.

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate