The Head Start Program Health Screenings By: Lillian Henderson

Head Start Program: Health Screenings EDU 671 Fundamentals of Educational Research Instructor: Wanda Fernandopulle Lillian Henderson November 28, 2015

Purpose of Study to educate parents on importance of screenings screenings: vision, dental, speech, and hearing.

Group Membership Head Start Staff Community Partners Head Start Parents

Statement of Resources Official Head Start Website *History *Purpose Head Start Staff * Teachers *Family Service Advocates Community Partners * Dental Offices * Speech and Hearing Service Providers

Variables Head Start program was created in 1965 Provides comprehensive health, nutrition, and education services Services children/families in poverty

Explanation of Problem parents refuse screenings health issues aren't addressed issues impede learning and growth

Ethics Population of Center *Majority African American and Hispanic Confidential Reports * ChildPlus

Research Questions 1. How important are health screenings such as hearing, speech, and dental at an early age? 2. Will the research on early health screenings persuade more parents to allow their child to participate in early health screenings through the Head Start Program?

Intervention/Innovation educate parents on the importance of screenings children grow and develop provided with educational, health, and nutritional services families are strengthen as the primary nurturers of their children connections to community resources make decisions that will benefit their families

Negotiations Parents approve or decline permission to screenings * Application * Attendance Required to submit proof of screening if declined

Services are provided at the school Parents are welcomed to be present Results and explanation given to parents

Health issues are addressed and treated * Individual Education Programs * Hearing * Dental

Timeline Research *Two Weeks Presentation: Parent Meeting * One Hour One on One Meetings with Parents * Various Times to fit parent schedule

Data Collection Research Questions Data Collection ToolWhy this tool? Justify its use in your study. How does it match to what you are attempting to find and to measure? 1. How important are screenings such as hearing, speech, vision and dental at an early age? 1 Community Partners (Data) 2 Head Start Staff (Interviews/ Questionnaires) 3 Head Start Performance Standards (Scholarly articles) Community partners such as dental and vision providers are able to provide statistics of the results of students receiving care at an early age for vision and dental screenings. The Head Start Performance Standards, expresses the goals of the organizations and directives of how to reach those goals. Head Start staff are able to observe students and make recommendation to get students assistance with issues some parents may not be aware of or do not know the proper steps and connections to seek help for their child.

References National Head Start Association Why Head Start: The Head Start Model.

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