Recent studies have shown children who participated in pre-k programs are more likely to be proficient in math and reading, across socioeconomic levels.

The St. Clair County Head Start program currently serves 217 three, four, and five year olds in early childhood education and they have plans to expand the program to include children from birth.

Latoya Orr Threatt, Director at St. Clair County Head Start, spoke with the City of Pell City to seek their support in an application for funding through a $140 million federal grant to expand Early Head Start Child Care, which targets low-income families with infants and toddlers.  The expansion would make 72 additional spots available for early enrollees.

Head Start currently has 12 classrooms, St. Clair County School System offers 16 pre-k classes for four year olds, and Pell City began a pre-k program with two classes, which they have expanded this year.

“We all work together to coordinate every year to make sure we are expanding those opportunities to all of our four year olds,” stated Threatt.

According to Threatt, only 29 percent of children in St. Clair County that would like to attend a public preschool can. She said their ultimate goal is to give the opportunity for “free, public” preschool to every child, because for many private preschools are not an option.

Threatt spoke to the City of Pell City about use of the former Boys & Girls Club facility, at least on a temporary basis. The building is currently being used by the Special Operations arm of the Pell City Police Department, along with gym equipment moved from the Pell City Civic Center.

Renovations to the Civic Center are scheduled to be complete before the grant approval process would be finalized, leaving the former Boys & Girls facility available. The City Council approved the use of this facility, which Threatt said they would be willing to pay rent and utilities on the property during use. City Council will also be sending a letter of support for the Federal Grant application for the St. Clair County Head Start expansion. 

“The building was constructed with HUD funds, meaning that it must be used for a HUD eligible purpose, which Head Start would certainly be,” said Pell City City Manager Brian Muenger. “This could be a good opportunity to find a long-term qualifying use for an otherwise underutilized building.”

“Our children deserve to have a state of the art facility as much as anyone else does and that’s the best place that we can make an investment in our children,” said Threatt. “I feel like with our initiative we will be able to serve more children.  Currently we have 217 and we have a wait list of more children. They are eligible to attend, but I just don’t have anywhere to put them.”

With the expansion, Threatt explained that they would be able to accommodate even more children, clear their wait list, and add an early Head Start initiative to serve children from birth through three years old.

“We would still serve some 4 year olds in this county, but ultimately as public school adds more preschool classrooms there will be fewer four year olds for us to serve and that’s okay,” explained Threatt, “because the point is that children get the opportunities that they need. What we hope to do is to create a hub of public preschools and serve as a center for at-risk children in our community.” 

The current Head Start facility is unable to support the expansion without renovations. Head Start is seeking funds to help with the initiative, petitioning the federal Head Start office, applying for grant opportunities, USDA Rural Development Funds, and seeking donations from churches and local organizations to contribute to the project. Threatt stated the St. Clair County Commission has offered to donate in-kind work, including earth moving, grading, and surveying for site preparation. 

“I trust and believe that this will come to fruition because our children deserve it and our county deserves it,” said Threatt. “You never know who you can influence just by showing up and being present with our children.”

Some of those in the community that continue to be present for the Head Start children are Kiwanis and Key Club members. Students from Pell City High School Key Club joined Pell City Kiwanis Club members for Reading is Fundamental, volunteering time and part of their school day to read to students at St. Clair County Head Start. According to Bill Scott, Kiwanis and Key Club have been participating in Reading is Fundamental, reading stories at least three times a year for over 20 years. Scott estimated that they group has read around 18,000 times and donated over $7000 in books over the years. They are just one of many groups that have supported the Head Start initiative over the years.

The deadline for the funding grant is Nov. 30.  For those interested in the Head Start program, contact Ms. Williams at 205-338-9694 ext. 115 or Ms. Barrett at ext. 118 with questions or for more information.