What is Head Start?
Head Start is a pre-school learning experience for children from income eligible
families. It is a family-oriented program designed to provide educational experiences,
health services and other opportunities for both the children and their families.
Our Head Start program uses a child development and education approach for all
children, in partnership with their parents, to help children gain the social
competence, school readiness skills, and confidence necessary to be prepared to
succeed in their current preschool environment, and with later responsibilities
in school and life.
Head Start is operated by the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) in a ten-county area in Southwest Missouri, including Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster Counties.