Q. Who can apply for the Head Start program?
A. Any family who has a child 3-4 years of age. All children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 in order to be enrolled in the program at the start of the school year. Children who turn three throughout the year could be considered and possibly could be enrolled depending on their status on the waiting list. Families determined to be over-income also will be considered as vacancies occur.

Q. What program options are available for my child?
A. Semcac Head Start offers Center-based and Home-based programs. Both options of the Semcac Head Start program promote development of skills children need to be healthy, successful learners. We know that young children need to have experiences with language development, literacy, math, science, creative arts, social/emotional development, physical/health development and satisfaction in learning new things. Healthy habits and self-help skills are emphasized as well.

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• Center Based Option
  

• Children enroll in the Center Based Option come to a Head Start center Monday through Thursday for 3 ½ to 4 hours. While children are at the center they participate in hands on learning activities. Teachers, with parent's help, plan activities that give children a wide variety of experiences that help them grow and develop. Parents and teachers work together to evaluate and plan for the children's learning. Home Visits and Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year. Parents participate by volunteering in the classroom or on field trips, attending special classroom events, and working on other activities. All Head Start classrooms are licensed by the MN Department of Human Services. Transportation is provided wherever possible. Nutritious breakfast/snack and lunch are served.

• Home Based Option - Home Visits
  

• A Home Visitor comes to your home for a 1.5 hour visit each week. The Home Visitor and Parent work together to plan and participate in activities that help the child grow and develop. The Home Visitor helps parents understand how daily routines and activities, things in the home and resources in the community can be used as learning activities for the whole family. Each visit includes time for learning activities for the child, information and discussion on topics of interest to the parent, and time to plan for the next visit, activities to do between visits and Socialization Day. The Home Visitor supports the parent in his/her role as their child's teacher.
• Socialization Day - Approximately two times a month Home Based children come together to participate in group activities. This usually takes place in a Head Start center on a designated Fridays. The session is 3 hours long. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Transportation is provided wherever possible. Nutritious break/snack and lunch are served.

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Q. Who is enrolled in Head Start?
A. Eligibility criteria are based primarily on the family income and the child's age as well as whether a child has a disability. Indicators of a child and/or family at-risk, such as single parent family, a parent with special needs, referrals from social services or public health, and living in a location that would prevent them from experiencing pre-school, will be considered. The criteria define the children/families who will be given priority for recruitment and selection.

Income eligibility is determined according to the Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines released each year in February.

The degree to which a family falls below poverty is rated. All children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 in order to be enrolled in the program at the start of the school year. Disabilities must be documented. Head Start staff will verify family income and age as applications are received to determine eligible children.

At least 10 % of the total number of enrollment opportunities will be made available to children with disabilities. For each center, a waiting list will be established and maintained throughout the year. Children on the list will be ranked based on their original eligibility rating. As vacancies occur, staff will review the waiting list and initiate appropriate follow-up to enroll the child(ren) as quickly as possible. Children who turn three throughout the year could be considered and possibly could be enrolled depending on their status on the waiting list. Families determined to be over-income also will be considered as vacancies occur.

Q. Once the application is complete, when do you find out if your child is accepted?
A. Semcac Head Start staff will notify families within two weeks after a complete application is received. If after four weeks, the family has not received notification, please call our toll-free number 866-808-0260.

Q. If my child is not accepted, what happens?
A. Your child will be put on a waiting list and will be considered as space becomes available. Children on the list will be ranked based on their original eligibility rating.

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Q. What type of comprehensive services does Head Start have to offer?
A. Individualized education, referrals for children with special needs, health and nutrition information including nutritious meals and snacks, busing provided where available, community resources referral for families, and many volunteering opportunities.

Q. Where does Head Start have programs?
A. We have programs in Austin, Blooming Prairie, Caledonia, Hayfield, Hokah, Kasson, Ostrander, Owatonna, Preston, St. Charles and Winona. New sites could be offered at additional locations depending on the volume of interested applicants.

Q. When could I apply?
A. Applications for 2007-2008 are now being accepted. Interested families are encouraged to apply early because openings fill quickly.

Q. Who could I contact for more information?
A. Please call 866-808-0260 and ask for Head Start Enrollment.

Q. Ho do I apply for a loan?
A. Call (507)864-8241 to request an application.

Q. What are the Fix-up Fund Guidelines?
A. Your household income must not exceed $93,000. You must have decent credit. Year around owner-occupied homes, single family homes and duplexes up to a four-plex are allowable.

Q. What is the maximum loan amount that I can borrow and how do I repay the loan?
A. The maximum loan amount is $35,000 offered at a below market fixed annual interest rate. There is no downpayment required. There may be a pre-payment penalty. If the original term of the loan is 36 months or less there is no prepayment penalty. If the loan is over a three year duration, and you pay off the loan in the first 36 months of the date of the Note, a prepayment penalty in the amount of the lesser of 60 days interest or 2% of the outstanding principal balance at the time of pay-off will be charged. If the loan is prepaid because the property has been sold, no prepayment penalty will be charged.

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Q. What kind of repairs are allowed?
A. Add a room addition, new garage, furnace/air/conditioning installation, roof replacement, siding, windows, septic system, well, electrical updates, energy conservation, accessibility improvements and many other repairs.

Q. What repairs are not allowed?
A. Swimming pools, tennis courts, saunas, hot tubs, patios, gazebos, garages larger than 800 square feet, conversion of a non-residential structure to a residential, shelling in a room addition, moving a house, repairs to outside buildings including sheds, utility building, shops, barns and silos.

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