Our Impact

Program Highlights

MHCC Head Start Program serves children from birth to age five. Priority is given to children and families with high needs including foster children and families experiencing housing insecurity. The program provides both classroom-based programs and home visiting programs.

36M+
families served throughout the history of Head Start
37%
of Kids speak English as their second language
32%
of our employees were enrolled in our program as children, or are current parents

Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022

971
children served in East Multnomah County
7%
foster children served
20%
children experiencing houselessness served
64k+
meals served in our classrooms

Community Partnerships

  • 802 Referrals and resources provided to families in 21-22 School Year
  • Hosted 8 Vaccine clinics and provided over 800 COVID vaccines to children, families, staff in our community.
  • Over $195,000 in rent and utility assistance through Salvation Army and EPHC referrals
  • Program provided $3000 in gas cards, to 120 families
  • Approximately $150k in gift cards were provided to HS families in need through the COVID assistance program.

Family Support Services

The most frequent services include food boxes or food needs, diapers, strollers, clothing & coats, furniture, COVID tests, COVID wraparound support, bus passes, employment, going back to school education registration, support with kinder registration, counseling/treatment, parenting classes, home buying programs, ESL classes, health related (medical, dental).

  • Program total: Needs Identified 4312
  • Needs Completed (services received): 3444 (almost 80%)

Find more information about our program, services, and data in our 20-21 Annual Report.pdf

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“Connecting through parent cafe's, other parents show u different ways of doing things, children are so different, you run out of ideas and need a supportive community. It takes a village, and I found my village”

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“My family worker supported me through difficult life challenges and made me know I could handle it, supported me to take action and make necessary changes.”

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"There is nervousness about speaking up and fear of not being heard, Head Start empowers and encourages parents to use their voice and praises parents when they speak up, and from that, the nervousness and fear goes away.”

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“After teaching my children at home, and watching the teachers online, I started to realize I can do this, I am doing this and I'm doing it well, I now want to pursue a career in education. I find myself doing more reading and research about how to be an effective teacher”. Family Services Monthly check in's “allowed me to reflect out loud that as stressed as I am, I am doing this, I can do this.”

Slide Green

"I was so stressed out (teaching my child at home) and thought my child was stubborn, but then I tried something I saw the teacher do during circle time, and it changed everything, now I can talk to my child and listen to understand. I went from having zero patience to enjoying my child."

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Policy Council

“There is nervousness about speaking up and fear of not being heard, Head Start empowers and encourages parents to use their voice and praises parents when they speak up, and from that, the nervousness and fear goes away.”

Parents’  Voice Truly Matters

The MHCC Head Start Policy Council provides leadership and program governance to our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, along with the Mt. Hood Community College Board of Directors. It consists of parents, community members, and head start directors, who give feedback, vote, and discuss the issues within the program and the community. This committee is responsible for many aspects of Head Start and shapes the future of the program, making parent participation crucial in decision making.

We can’t do it without you

Are you interested in joining the Policy Council or attending a meeting as a community member? Reach out to your Family Worker or call our main line 503-491-6111. Meetings occur every 2nd Thursday of the month at 6pm.