Head Start

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through educational, health, nutritional, social and other services for enrolled children and families.  Classroom teams focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills and the social skills they need to be successful in school.  Head Start has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive services designed to foster healthy development in the most vulnerable young children, including those with special needs. 

Head Start also offers assistance in accessing comprehensive health services including physical exams, dental exams, nutritional needs, hearing/vision screenings, immunizations and developmental screenings.

Head Start programs engage parents in their children's learning and help them to make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the local Head Start programs.  Parents are involved through their local parent committees and through the Head Start Policy Council.

Parents are also given many opportunities to enhance their parenting and teaching skills by helping plan and teach activities to their child(ren).  Learning opportunities are available for parents through Bemidji State University’s Parenting Weekend and MEGA Early Childhood Conference. Bi-CAP offers parenting classes and special family events during the Head Start year as well.

Bi-CAP Head Start offers services to 271 children ages 3 through 5 and their families in Beltrami and Cass Counties.  Centers are located in Bemidji, Blackduck, Kelliher, Backus, Walker, Pillager, and Remer.  There are two types of programs offered:

·      Combination programs offer 1 to 3 home visits per month and 1 to three days of classroom experience per week.

·      Center based programs offer 4 to 5 days of classroom experience per week plus 2 home visits and 2 conferences per year.

Wrap Around Child Care (Bemidji Center)      

Wrap Around Child Care may be available for a nominal fee to parents who are working or going to school if their child is enrolled in Head Start.  The hours are 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

Family Toy Box Program 

The Family Toy Box program provides outpatient multiple family group psychotherapy to children between the ages of 3 and 5.  A key feature of the program is the involvement and training of parents so that they become an ally in the therapeutic process.  The program provides parents with skills in reflecting feelings, discipline, and general parenting.

Early Head Start

Bi-CAP’s Early Head Start (EHS) program is an intensive, comprehensive, flexible program that is designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child (age 0-3) and his/her family.  EHS programs promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning.

Bi-CAP offers the following services to 86 EHS children and their families:

·      quality early education both in and out of the home;

·      parenting education;

·      comprehensive health and mental health services, including services to women before, during, and after pregnancy;

·      nutrition education; and

·      family support services.

Home based services are provided in Bemidji and Backus.  Center based services are provided in Bemidji and Blackduck.  A combination program (part center based and part home based) is offered in Bemidji.