For Families
Families play a critical role in helping children prepare for school and a lifetime of academic success. We partner with families by providing the necessary support and empowerment for successful developmental and educational outcomes.
Our goal is to engage families in partnerships that support the healthy growth and development of children, parents and the community. We start with developing relationships and family goal development with the support of program staff and engaged community partners.
We place an emphasis on parent engagement and believe that parents are an integral part of the program’s success. Families have leadership opportunities in all service areas, because successful parent engagement requires positive, ongoing and goal-oriented activities.
Enrollment
MARC Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide federally funded, comprehensive early learning services to qualifying families living in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties. We accept applications on a rolling basis from families with children up to age five and pregnant women. Call 816-841-3382 or email marcheadstart@marc.org for more information.
Eligibility
Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment is based on factors such as your family’s income and your child’s age.
Apply
Start the application process online by scheduling an appointment with an enrollment specialist today. Appointments are available for all program sites.
Documents and Forms
Print forms and learn what documents you’ll need to provide for enrollment.
Other Languages
If you’re not comfortable with English, our enrollment specialists can provide information in Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Amharic, Karen, Manderin, Burmese and Vietnamese.
Family & Community
Engagement
Parent Leadership
Our Parent Leadership team develops and implements projects and initiatives based on parent interests that support family well-being, promote strong parent-child relationships and enhance ongoing learning and development.
Program Governance
Families have multiple opportunities to be involved in governance. Parent committees at program sites advise staff on policies, activities and services to ensure they meet the needs of children and families. MARC Head Start Policy Council members provide input on important governance decisions and represent the interests of families and the community.
Other Opportunities
Parents have many opportunities to serve as ambassadors for Head Start. They facilitate Parent Cafés, serve as mentors for new parents at Head Start centers, encourage others to participate in parent activities, organize safety fairs and participate in focus groups to inform community initiatives.
Services
Educational Services
Our educators partner with families to set goals and plan strategies to support children’s learning and development. Families are encouraged to engage in learning experiences and routines with children, share their expertise with children and programs, engage in parent conferences and family events, and contribute to assessment of children’s progress toward school readiness goals
Health Services
We use a coordinated approach to health care access and services for Early Head Start and Head Start children, focusing on preventing problems whenever possible by carefully addressing the needs of children. If health conditions are identified, we help support and connect families to quality, dedicated health-care partners for guidance.
Mental Health Services
We use a comprehensive, collaborative team approach to support mental health services for children. Staff work with local school districts and community agencies to make sure that the special needs of children are met.
Disabilities Services
We use a comprehensive, collaborative team approach to support services for children with disabilities. Staff work with local school districts and community agencies to make sure that the special needs of children are met.
Resources
FAQs
Find the answers to questions we are asked the most about applying to MARC Head Start.
