Students at the Green River Head Start classroom take part in a class prior to the COVID-19 closure of schools throughout Wyoming. Head Start is seeking applicants for classes in Green River and Rock Springs, but has been forced to change its application process because of the viral pandemic.
Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Head Start is changing how parents apply for the program to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Erin Barbuto, family and community partnerships manager at Head Start, said the program can't do in-person applications and will utilize an online application and a phone or video interviews for prospective students.
"It's going to be a little different because we can't do applications in person," Barbuto said.
Head Start operates a classroom in Green River and four in Rock Springs, despite having Sweetwater County School District No. 1 in its title. Barbuto said the program is looking for Green River applicants as a large number of the current students are transitioning to kindergarten.
"We have a lot of slots to fill (in Green River,)" Barbuto said.
Head Start gives priority to families who have children with disabilities or those with income within the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The program works with children and their parents to support their development at home and school. The program also helps families with health and nutrition services. As they transition to kindergarten, the program still supports them and support their families in becoming advocates for their children's education. Children have to be at least three years of age to be accepted.
Parents interested in applying can call the Head Start office at 875-6925 or go to Head Start's website hstart.sweetwater1.org. Parents will need to provide Head Start with their children's birth documentation, immunization record and income information for the past 12 months.
"This isn't the ideal way to get started with Head Start, but it'll work just fine," Barbuto said.
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