Our Vision
As part of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Department of Early Learning, MARC Head Start is the Head Start and Early Head Start grantee for Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri that serves 2,400 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. MARC Head Start is funded by federal, state, and private grants as well as local contributions.
MARC Head Start operates through a network of providers and offers oversight and support for the delivery of Head Start and Early Head Start services through 17 early childhood agencies throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
Along with other departments at MARC, we work to advance regional progress and create a community people are proud to call home. We invest in the early learning and healthy development of young children today so they will grow into productive citizens of a stronger and more vibrant community tomorrow.
Service Area
MARC Head Start provides services to qualifying pregnant women, children from birth through age 5, and their families living in Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties. See our Locations page for more details.
Site Capacity
Provider Network
Through our network of service providers, MARC Head Start facilitates collaboration and continuity among early childhood programs. We work together to support the needs of children and families in urban, suburban and rural communities in our three-county service area.
Governance
Advisory Committee and Policy Council
Our Policy Council is made up of Head Start parents and community members who are elected by each direct service provider. This group represents family concerns and approves expenditures and annual program planning.
The Advisory Committee oversees operations, ensures compliance with laws and regulations, and submits monthly reports to the MARC Board of Directors.
The MARC Head Start Team
Our diverse staff supports the MARC Head Start network of providers to deliver services that enhance the well-being of young children and their families.
MARC Head Start Leadership Team
Director of Early Learning and Head Start Toni joined MARC Head Start in September 2023. She was named assistant director in January 2023. She brings a wealth of experience in early education, having served as a Head Start educator, professor of early education and nonprofit executive. Director of MARC Head Start Kasey joined MARC Head Start in March 2017. She was named assistant director in January 2023 and resumed the position of MARC Early Learning and Head Start assistant director in October 2023. Previously, she led the MARC Head Start enrollment team, helping parents complete applications and find locations that meet their needs.
Toni Sturdivant
Kasey Lawson
Betty Choi
Education Manager Carol leads the education team which supports curriculum implementation, screening and assessment, and engaging environments and interactions. She has been with MARC since 2006. Family and Community Engagement Manager Lynette Fowler joined the MARC Head Start team in 2006. By collaborating with community partners, Lynette helps parents take on new leadership roles and supports families as they work towards long-term goals.
Kate Eickhoff
Carol Bolz
Lynette Fowler
Health Manager As health manager, Sandra leads a team in partnering with the healthcare community to provide services that promote children’s healthy development. She has been with MARC Head Start since 2007. Mental Health/ Disability Services Manager Since 2006, Tamara has worked to ensure that MARC Head Start meets the needs of children with mental health and disability needs. Organizational Development Manager Pam leads the quality assurance team, which provides technical assistance and oversight for the human resources and safe environments requirements, as well as data entry and analysis of ChildPlus data.
Sandra Reece-Tinsley
Tamara Graves
Pam Kabrick
Contact
Visit
600 Broadway, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64105
Call
phone (816)474-4240
fax (816)421-7758
Annual Report
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services require MARC to provide an annual report for its Head Start program. This report outlines the goals accomplished, services provided to families and the community, financial practices for the previous program year, and proposed budget for the upcoming program year. The annual report also highlights the progress and achievments of the MARC Head Start program and its network partners.
About MARC
The Mid-America Regional Council
Since 1972, MARC has served as the nonprofit association of city and county governments and the metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region. Goverened by a board of local elected officials, MARC provides a forum for the region to work together to address important issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergecy services. The MARC region includes nine counties and 119 cities – 4,423 square miles – with an estimated population of 2 million.