ELKO — Head Start of Northeastern Nevada is making plans to purchase land at the intersection of Silver and 13th streets in order to expand its Elko programs.

The new building will be used for programs for newborns up to age five.

“The number of children that will be served has yet to be determined,” said Brenna Malone, executive director of Head Start of Northeastern Nevada.

She said the organization hopes programs will be up and running in the new building this fall.

The organization has secured grant funding to finance construction.

Head Start is a federally funded program, providing early head start programs for pregnant women and infants and toddlers up to age 3. Head Start preschools serve children ages 3 to 5.

The organization operates centers in Elko, Wells and Jackpot.

“We are beginning our recruitment process for Elko as normal to enroll families,” Malone said.

At the Elko center, 34 people are enrolled in the early head start program and 102 are enrolled in the preschool program. About 150 more income-eligible applicants in Elko are on a waiting list.

“We hope to have at least 18 additional preschool students,” Malone said.

Head Start is working with the City of Wells to continue offering services in the town.

The organization is required to serve the highest-need population, otherwise there’s a risk of losing federal funding, Malone said.

As of February, eight children were enrolled in early head start and 18 in the preschool in Wells.

The organization will be able to accommodate more infants at the Elko location, but the number will depend on how many infants are served in Wells.

Head Start receives about $8,000 in federal funding for each student enrolled in early head start or preschool programs.

Free services are provided in areas such as nutrition, health education and family services to those who meet federal poverty guidelines.


more info...

ELKO — Orion had one thing on his mind Saturday afternoon: Catching a blue fish at the Spring Creek Marina.

It’s what the 4-year-old was looking forward to most while spending the day with his grandfather, Jack Thomas.

It wasn’t just an ordinary outing, though. The two of them were among about 100 others participating in the final fatherhood/male role model activity of the year through Head Start.

Since the start of the school year, Head Start has hosted monthly events that encourage fathers or other males to spend time with the children.

It “reinforces how important a father or male role model is in the life of a child,” said Kim Garcia of Head Start.

The idea, she said, is to show ways to spend quality time together. The activities give ideas that don’t necessarily have to cost much money, she said.

In addition, the program helps encourage fathers to be involved in their children’s education, a job that in Garcia’s experience often falls to mothers.

Thomas said Orion’s father unfortunately isn’t in the picture, and he’s the only male figure in Orion’s life.

“Whenever I get the chance to do things, with him, I take it,” he said.

Alicia Valdez and her husband Adan were there with Valdez’s son Alejandro Carlos, 5. Alicia Valdez said it’s a nice way to find ways for the family to spend time together.


more info...