In 2008, Orange County Head Start, a national leader in Early Childhood Education, celebrated its 43rd anniversary of serving low-income children and their families. Over the past four decades, Orange County Head Start has served over 40,000 children and their families. In 2008-2009, Orange County Head Start will serve 1536 children and their families with an annual budget of $14,726,806 dollars.

Orange County Head Start Division receives only 80% of its operating costs from the federal government. The 20% match is received from a combination of sources including: private donations, volunteer hours, leases, services and in-kind agreements from the local community.

Volunteers are essential in supporting the program's activities. Volunteers include students from middle and high schools, local universities and colleges, parents of current and former Head Start students, senior citizens, and the Foster Grandparent program.

Orange County Head Start Division continues to develop numerous collaborative partnerships with individuals, non-profit agencies, private businesses, faith-based organizations, and other public agencies serving low-income children and their families. A partial listing of our current partners includes:

• Adult Literacy League
• Child Support Enforcement
• City of Orlando (Callahan Neighborhood Center) 
• City of Winter Park (Hannibal Community Center)
• Community Health Centers 
• Florida Department Health
• Florida Seniors Program (Foster Grandparents)
• Frontline Outreach
• GA Food Services
• Goodwill Industries
• Health Care for Homeless
• Job Partnership of Florida
• Kinder Konsulting
• New Covenant Baptist Church
• Orange County Health Department (WIC)
• Orange County Housing & Community Development 
• Orange County Public Library
• Orange County Public Schools
• Pine Castle Little League
• Pride Enterprises
• R.G. Therapy Services
• Reading is Fundamental (Family Reader's Program)
• Refunding Application
• Town of Eatonville (Denton Johnson)
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
• VPK Early Learning
• YMCA of Central Florida, Inc.

We look forward to establishing a partnership with you. For more information contact our Family & Community Services Coordinator at (407) 836-6590.