Since 1997, a competitive grant awarded annually through the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Families and Children, has enabled KIRPC Head Start to grow and improve the Head Start program that now serves 133 low income children and their families. Eligible three, four, and five year old children receive comprehensive services to prepare them for school. There are 7 classrooms located at five sites in Newton, Jasper, and Pulaski counties. The Head Start locations are in Goodland and Roselawn for Newton County; Rensselaer and DeMotte in Jasper County; and Winamac in Pulaski County.

School Readiness and Family Engagement are priorities for the program.

Communities Served

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. 

One hundred and thirty three Head Start children are serviced throughout the three counties. Two of the sites have two classrooms while the other three sites are single classrooms. The seven Head Start classrooms are located in five different sites. There are two classrooms in Newton County. There are three classrooms in Jasper County, and there are two in Pulaski County.  There is a ninety-mile spread between the two farthest sites. 

Annually Head Start is required to collect data from the 3 county area  to gather community information.  The most recent report is below.