Head Start History continued..
In 1976 Nancy Lilly decided to leave the position of Head Start Director. A young innovative dreamer by the name of Charlotte Weaver Stokes was selected to be Head Start Director. At that time Head Start was only in Nacogdoches County and had 65 young children. Ms. Stokes recognized the enormous need of children & families in East Texas. She quickly began to seek out all possibilities that could benefit these families. At every opportunity she pursued funding to add children to the program and to add additional services. She also began to look at needs throughout East Texas. In 1988 Crockett Head Start became a reality. Literacy had always been important to Ms. Stokes. In 1989 Project Turnaround literacy program was established targeting at risk youth and adults. She turned her focus south and in 1991 Trinity Head Start became a reality. Recognizing great need Groveton Head Start and Huntsville Head Start were added in 1994. Partnerships have always been very important in all agency programs. Working closely with local schools is important. In 1998 Central Heights and Kennard added Head Start classrooms. The critical importance of infant and toddler development has come to the forefront. In 1999 Nacogdoches Early Head Start was funded providing much needed services to infants/toddlers/pregnant mothers and their families. In 2001 Crockett Early Head Start became a reality. Most recently, San Jacinto County Head Start was added to the program.
In 1976 Nancy Lilly decided to leave the position of Head Start Director. A young innovative dreamer by the name of Charlotte Weaver Stokes was selected to be Head Start Director. At that time Head Start was only in Nacogdoches County and had 65 young children. Ms. Stokes recognized the enormous need of children & families in East Texas. She quickly began to seek out all possibilities that could benefit these families. At every opportunity she pursued funding to add children to the program and to add additional services. She also began to look at needs throughout East Texas. In 1988 Crockett Head Start became a reality. Literacy had always been important to Ms. Stokes. In 1989 Project Turnaround literacy program was established targeting at risk youth and adults. She turned her focus south and in 1991 Trinity Head Start became a reality. Recognizing great need Groveton Head Start and Huntsville Head Start were added in 1994. Partnerships have always been very important in all agency programs. Working closely with local schools is important. In 1998 Central Heights and Kennard added Head Start classrooms. The critical importance of infant and toddler development has come to the forefront. In 1999 Nacogdoches Early Head Start was funded providing much needed services to infants/toddlers/pregnant mothers and their families. In 2001 Crockett Early Head Start became a reality. Most recently, San Jacinto County Head Start was added to the program.