South Carolina State Head Start Association

South Carolina State Head Start Association (SCSHSA), founded in the late 1960s, is a private, professional, non-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of the Head Start children and their families in South Carolina. The association provides leadership, support and advocacy for the needs of children, families, and staff in South Carolina. The organization serves as the catalyst for Head Start programs across the state and assists Head Start programs in meeting federal and state mandates in a cohesive and coordinated effort.  South Carolina State Head Start Association’s membership is comprised of Head Start Directors, program staff, Community Action Program Directors, parents, and friends (community constituents.)  The association serves as a state forum through which Head Start staff, parents, friends and directors receive and act upon information to be used for professional, statiscal and technical assistance concerning child and family development. The organization’s funding is basically through contributions, supplemental grants, agency and individual membership dues, and conferences.  Membership dues represent one of the major source of revenues for the association.

Vision

South Carolina State Head Start Association’s vision is to become the voice for children and families in South Carolina.  As advocates, the organization collaborates with others and create new knowledge on children and families, disseminate this information, and serve as a single port of entry and melting pot for program information on Head Start.

Goals

South Carolina State Head Start Association has established goals to assist with fulfilling the vision of the organization.

·         Serve as an advocate for the maintenance and improvement of Head Start Programs in South Carolina.

·         Collaborate with state agencies in addressing actions that impact upon the operations of Head Start programs.

·         Develop liaisons with other organizations where efforts are consistent with the purpose of the South Carolina State Head Start Association.

·        Access training needs and provide training to ensure higher quality services to children and their families.

South Carolina Head Start Association Officers

      Ms. Evelyn Patterson, President                               Ms. Mary Williams, Vice President

      Ms. Wilhelmenia Whitefield, Secretary                    Ms. Wanda Davis, Treasurer

Mr. Jerome Thompson, Parliamentarian