In Nebraska there are 16 Head Start and 14 Early Head Start programs¹ that serve over 5,800² children in the 17 grantee areas. Head Start programs can operate in HS centers, schools or via home visiting programs. Good oral health is essential to a child’s behavioral, speech, language and overall growth and development. Head Start personnel track the provision of oral health care and help parents obtain a professional dental examination and follow up care at a dental home. They also promote good oral hygiene in the classrooms with individual materials and brush in programs. Head Start directors, teachers and staff are valuable partners in the field of oral health and can help set up nutrition guidance, and provide counseling to parents and guardians.

1. Nebraska Head Start Association. Service Area. Retrieved Date: 03/11/2015. Available at: http://www.neheadstart.org/index.php/service-area.html.

2. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service. 2013-2014 Head Start Program Information Report Enrollment Statistic Report-State Level Nebraska; 10/14/2014. Available at: http://www.education.ne.gov/oec/hssco/programdata.pdf.

Nebraska Head Start Program Service Areas

Note: Those counties in white are areas not served by Nebraska Head Start

Source: Nebraska Head Start Association, 2014