Our Mission & Goals

The mission of the Missouri Head Start Association (MHSA) is to conduct education, resource development and research activities to advance Head Start thereby enhancing child and family development.

MHSA is made up of directors, staff, parents, and friends of each grantee and delegate agency in Missouri. The Association's services are delivered to its members, the general public, children, families, staff, legislators, state departments and other service organizations and agencies.

The following values are considered to be guiding principles of the Association:

Diversity

Leadership

Improving society

High expectations

Respect

Continuous education

Sharing

Tradition

Standing up for beliefs

Individualism

Missouri receives more than $60 million in federal Head Start funds each year. These funds provide Head Start services to approximately 17,000 children. Head Start programs are a valuable partner in many of the state's welfare reform initiatives. In particular, Head Start programs bring many resources to the table in the area of quality child care. Most children in Head Start already receive at least a half day of quality care. Head Start programs are governed by the most stringent regulations of any federal or state early childhood program. These characteristics make Head Start a valuable partner in the effort to meet the need for quality child care brought on by welfare reform.

MHSA Goals

The Association is currently working on the completion of three primary goals.

Goal 1— Successful Collaboration

Success Criteria:

We have cooperatively established a task force which has developed a draft contract that outlines uniform school transition for all Head Start children.

The Head Start State Collaboration Office meets annual goals.

We have been seated on the Governor's new Early Childhood Council.

We have identified opportunities for collaborations for 2001.

Some of the activities involved in this goal include representation on the State Collaboration Office Advisory Council and involvement in a variety of new initiatives with state departments.

Goal 2 — Comprehensive Education

Success Criteria:

We have raised public awareness of the mission of Head Start in Missouri.

The support of the members of the MHSA has increased as a result of improved education/communication.

The MHSA has provided high-quality results-oriented training events that meet the need of our members and programs.

Some of the activities involved in this goal include coordinating the annual state training conference, development of state Head Start legislation and increased communication between agencies, state departments and other statewide organizations.


Goal 3 — Progressive Resource Development

Success Criteria:

The Association has been financially stable.

We have organized our current resources and developed new resources to adequately identify and promote the MHSA.

The MHSA has met state and federal requirement for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Some of the activities involved in this goal include an audit of our past fiscal year, review of the Association legal status, and discussion of Association design options.