National Head Start Association Carnegie Quality Initiative Award

In 1999 the Orange County Head Start Program earned the National Head Start Association Carnegie Quality Initiative Award. The Quality Initiative Award is a voluntary experience and only those programs that are in total compliance with the Performance Standards are eligible. It is based on the assumption that Head Start Program Performance Standards provide a strong baseline of acceptable quality, but NHSA recognizes Head Start programs that exceed these standards.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation

All thirty (30) Head Start Centers received NAEYC Accreditation. The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs' accreditation system is designed to meet two major goals: 1) to facilitate early childhood program staff to become involved in a process that will foster lasting improvement in the quality of the program serving young children, and 2) to evaluate the quality of the program for the purpose of accrediting those programs that are substantially in compliance.

The National Head Start Academy Awards

The National Head Start Association Academy is a national credentialing program that rewards staff who demonstrate exemplary performance and recognize America's top Head Start Programs. Orange County Head Start is the recipient of the Gold Commitment, Team Leader and Outstanding Student Awards.