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 Three rural counties are serviced by KIRPC Head Start in northwest Indiana. The counties of Newton, Jasper, and Pulaski are made up of agriculture and agri-businesses as well as a few small to medium sized manufacturing concerns. Attempts are constantly being made with the Industrial Foundations in these counties to attract new business to the area. The most successful enterprises have been large dairy operations in Newton and Jasper counties. With those establishments have come an influx of Hispanic families seeking a better way of life.
One hundred and forty-eight Head Start children are serviced throughout the three counties. Four of our sites have two classrooms while the other three sites are single classrooms. The ten Head Start classrooms are located in seven different sites. There are three classrooms in Newton County. There are three classrooms in Jasper County, and there are four in Pulaski County.
All of the classrooms are situated in or close to small towns. In some cases these locations resemble villages as there are few amenities. Two of the Pulaski County classrooms are located in elementary schools. As a result, special arrangements have been made to accommodate the needs of the school and Head Start. In one class, the classroom is utilized by music in the a.m. and Head Start in the p.m. As such the furniture needs to be moved daily to set up for the two different entities.
There is a ninety-mile spread between the two farthest sites. Special considerations and planning must occur in order to monitor these locations on a regular basis. Communication is essential and technology us to keep in touch rather than actually being in the locations. Monthly visits are made by all the managers. Each site has their own staff meetings weekly and monthly a training bring the entire Head Start staff together at the Grantee Office or a designated site.
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