Champlain Valley Head Start

Special Initiatives

    
Champlain Valley Head Start is a federally funded child and family development program.  Our primary funding source, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, requires the provision of comprehensive services for children, including early education services, health and nutrition services, and services for children with special needs, as well as services to support and engage parents and families.  CVHS has a long history of operating a high quality program, and providing services which meet all federal, state and local regulations.  However, we are not content to stop there – our goal is to provide world-class, innovative services, above and beyond our standard program requirements, to meet the needs of children and families in northwest Vermont.  In this way, we work to maximize support for children and families to reach their full potential. 

Several donors, sponsors and agencies have generously provided funding and/or technical assistance for CVHS Special Initiatives.  These Special Initiatives entail innovative, value-added services for children and families which go above and beyond the minimum requirements of Head Start.  Click on the following links to learn more about the following Special Initiatives:

In addition to the Special Initiatives listed above, CVHS participates in Vermont Family Matters (VFM) – a statewide initiative affiliated with Vermont’s Head Start programs.  VFM, a special project funded by U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, focuses primarily on couples and individuals seeking supports around building and strengthening healthy parental relationships as a foundation for positive outcomes for children.  The project is a collaborative, statewide project among Vermont’s seven Head Start programs, and is one of 24 projects nationwide.  VFM, launched in Fall 2007, has been funded annually at $500,000 per budget period for a 60-month (five year) project period.

VFM involves Head Start and Early Head Start programs partnering with other organizations in their communities to offer a full range of practical skill-building sessions on communication, joint decision making, parenting, managing of family budgets, conflict resolution, problem solving and other elements to enhance family stabilization.  Participants attend an interactive parents’ weekend to learn relationship skills and connect with other parents.  VFM offers regularly scheduled workshops, access to education, support services, counseling and other resources in local communities.  VFM is available to families throughout Vermont who are enrolled in, or eligible for, Head Start.  Single parents and co-parenting individuals, married and unmarried couples, couples considering marriage or civil unions, and blended families are all welcome.  For more information, click here.

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