LCC aims to add home-based Head Start option

Starting in August, Lower Columbia College plans to offer a home-based Head Start option to 10 children aged 3-5.

The program will be aimed at families who are unable to access the Head Start center due to special health care needs, transportation barriers or personal preference, Head Start Director Mindy Leasure wrote in an email.

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LCC's Board of Trustees approved the plan at its March 18 meeting, but it is still waiting on approval from the federal Office of Head Start, which must sign off on program changes.

Leasure said they hope to hear from the office by the end of the school year, but the response may come as late as Aug. 1.

LCC Head Start, Early Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program offer free childcare for low-income families.

Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program provide preschool services for children 3-5 years old. Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers up to 3 years old.

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded, while the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is state funded.

There are a total of 294 children enrolled in the three programs at LCC, according to its 2025 Head Start report.

On the couch

Parent Harlie White sits on a couch with her daughter, Zayla White, while Jordyn Bernard shows off a book at Lower Columbia College Early Head Start Wednesday, April 15. LCC Early Head Start is mainly home based, but offers a classroom for children of teen parents who are working on their education.

Home-based Head Start

LCC's Early Head Start program already operates on a mostly home-based model, Leasure said. The program currently serves 58 families, and 50 of those receive home-based services.

The center-based Early Head Start services are specifically for teen parents of infants and toddlers, so that the child can receive care while the parent attends school, Leasure said.

Home-based Head Start programs are required to have weekly meetings with each family that last an hour and a half, and to provide regular group socialization activities.

During home visits, staff members discuss the child's well-being and facilitate learning activities, Leasure said. The activities often involve showing parents how they can use ordinary household items like spoons and boxes as teaching tools.

After the activity, staff members discuss what milestones the child demonstrated and how the activity could be integrated into their daily routine. They will also typically check in about upcoming medical appointments and the progress of any specialist referrals.

Playing peekaboo

LCC Early Head Start teacher Jessica Fenter plays peekaboo with Jordyn Bernard, left, and Honest Alvarez in her classroom Wednesday, April 15. LCC aims to expand its Head Start program to include a home-based option similar to the one Early Head Start offers. The new program will be for slightly older children.

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