Head Start services will become more accessible to low-income families in San Joaquin County after the opening of the University Park Head Start facility later this year.
The Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) collaborated with the San Joaquin County Office of Education to open the facility, marking the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
The child care facility at University Park in the Stanislaus State Stockton Campus is now a “mega site” and can serve approximately 64 children, from ages 6-months-old to 5-years-old.
CAPK is a nonprofit anti-poverty agency, and has operated Early Head Start programs in San Joaquin County since 2015. The new Head Start offerings for children ages three to five provide comprehensive services including education, nutrition, mental health support and family resources that are funded primarily through federal Community Services Block Grants.
Head Start is a nationwide program designed to promote school readiness for young children from low-income households by addressing their developmental needs.
At the University Park Head Start facility, daily activities will vary based on each child’s needs for infants to preschoolers. Children will also have play, naps and learning activities with meals including breakfast, lunch and snacks being provided and tailored to dietary requirements, according to Savannah Oates, CAPK’s public relations and advocacy manager.
“This is comprehensive because it’s for the children and for the families as well,” said Gloria Barbero, assistant director for CAPK, during the event. She explained that the program supports parents through services like job assistance and family development.
The center will operate five days a week for up to 10 to 15 hours daily, helping working families or those seeking employment. Enrollment prioritizes households meeting federal low-income guidelines, though a small percentage of spots that are open to over-income families who qualify. Sign-ups are available via CAPK’s website at capk.org, flyers or in-person intake, on a first-come, first-served basis.
CAPK acquired the keys in August and completed renovations to meet current codes, allowing for a quick turnaround. The site’s history as a prior childcare facility by other organizations eased the process.
Full operations are expected to begin in the coming weeks to a month, with hiring underway for licensed teachers and educators.
“Currently, we look like we’re in a better position than we were a couple of weeks ago,” said Oates, CAPK’s public relations and advocacy manager.
The expansion stems from a partnership with the San Joaquin County Office of Education, which provided funding and additional resources.
“This is made possible with a partnership with the San Joaquin Office of Education, who’s partnering with us to supply Head Start services to the residents of San Joaquin County,” said Jeremy Tobias, CEO of CAPK. “It’s reflective of the importance of community partnerships and leveraging partnerships to serve the greater needs in the community.”
CAPK is part of a national network of over 1,000 community action agencies, working to help lower-income families through 19 programs in Kern and San Joaquin county.. Services range from childcare and food assistance to housing support and utility subsidies.