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CAO Head Start programs celebrate 50th annual Week of the Young Child

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Tue, Apr 13th 2021 02:05 pm

Community Action Organization of WNY’s Head Start programs celebrate the 50th annual Week of the Young Child (WOYC) April 10-16 with an emphasis on the importance of early childhood education.

“Our school, along with all the other CAO programs, are so excited to kick off the Week of the Young Child,” said Makkiya Albanna, principal of CAO Head Start’s McKinley Academy. “During this week, we’ll be sending activities for families to do at home with their children. After they’re done with these activities, they’ll be sending videos and pictures that we will share to highlight this week on social media. All (of) CAO’s 21 Head Start schools are participating.”

CAO said home school connection is an essential component of child development. 

Chelsea White, CAO’s executive vice president and chief of education, said she was especially excited to see the fun-filled week of early childhood educational activities celebrating children, their teachers, families, and the community.

“Head Start provides services to pregnant women and early childhood education and human services to infants, toddlers and preschool children,” White said. “Our program focuses on preparing children to be school ready and parents to be advocates for their families. In the midst of the pandemic, CAO continues to provide in-person and virtual learning to meet the needs of families in our communities. CAO programs follow strict COVID-19 safety guidelines to keep children and their families safe.”

CAO said it is “committed to providing high-quality early childhood education that shapes the foundation for lifelong learning and educational success.”

Review the introduction video here.

The Community Action Organization of WNY was designated in 1965 as the official antipoverty agency for Erie County with a mission to serve the unmet needs of the low-income populations. Today, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals within Erie and Niagara counties through various programs and services. Visit caowny.org for more information.

Head Start is one of CAO’s programs and provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent and community engagement services to low-income children and families. The program is designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children's physical and emotional well-being, and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills. Head Start was initiated in 1965 and is one of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services programs.

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