Donate to Head Start

Since 1967, CommUnify has provided Head Start and Early Head Start to Santa Barbara County.  Available to qualified low-income families, these services are sensitive to each family’s linguistic, ethnic, and cultural heritage. A strong emphasis is placed on the valuable role of parents as the first and most important teacher of their child. With focus on the whole child's development in academic, social, emotional and physical growth, combined with a safe, caring environment created by skilled teachers, Head Start and Early Head Start prepare children for a lifetime of success in school and in life.

Head Start (serving children ages 3 -5) supports children and families in many ways:

1. Center-based, full-day/full-year childcare for working families
2. Center-based, part-day/part-year preschool program
3. Using the Creative Curriculum® for Preschool that is a comprehensive,     research-based curriculum that promotes exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity and lifelong critical thinking skills.
4. Serving delicious, nutritious meals and snacks daily
5. Works with school districts to create a smooth transition to kindergarten
6. Provides behavioral wellness (therapeutic services). 

Early Head Start Infant and Toddler Care (serving children ages 3 months – 3 years)

Early Head Start provides services for low-income families with infants and toddlers up to age 3 and programs for pregnant women. Recent advances in the field of infant brain development make this program essential for infant and toddler’s optimum progress. Available to qualified low-income families, these services are sensitive to each family’s linguistic, ethnic, and cultural heritage. A strong emphasis is placed on the valuable role of parents as the first and most important teacher of their child. With focus on each child's unique strengths and needs, combined with a safe, caring environment created by skilled teachers, CommUnify’s early education programs prepare children for a lifetime of success in school, and in life.

Early Head Start

• Promotes healthy prenatal care for pregnant women
• Enhances the development of very young children
• Supports the parent-child bond through socio-emotional training
• Offers classes at school or in-home
• Supports consistent, caring relationships
• Uses The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos that is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum designed to help teachers and caregivers implement developmentally appropriate practices and offer responsive daily routines and meaningful experiences that nurture learning and development
• Provides nutritious, delicious meals and snacks
• Offers in-home classes for pregnant women

Head Start is a launchpad for future leaders and strong communities. We provide prenatal support as well as affordable childcare so that parents can focus on their education and careers, prepare children and their families to succeed in school and in life, and provide nutritious meals and wellness checks for the children in our programs. Head Start creates strong children, strong families and a strong Santa Barbara County. Thank you for your support.

‍