Rising up stronger— Together

Advancing national models of excellence in Head Start services delivery

Evolving through more than 40 years of continuous assessment, improvement, and innovation, our exemplary programs serve as national models for excellence in early childhood and literacy education.

FOUNDED IN 1965, Head Start is the national early education program created to give every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed in school and life. The success of Head Start and Early Head Start programs over the decades offers living proof of the Head Start promise: Every child, regardless of their circumstances at birth, can reach their full potential.

Based on a “whole child, whole family” model, Head Start takes a comprehensive, two-generation approach to supporting kids, families, and communities on their path to success. Health and school readiness are emphasized for children from ages three to five, while Early Head Start (EHS) focuses on prenatal care and the healthy development of infants and toddlers. Located in the heart of the community, these programs engage parents as equal partners with their child’s teacher and provide a full range of family services from crisis intervention to goal-setting, job training, and education.

As Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development, Southwest Human Development proudly operates 19 Head Start/EHS centers and 7 Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP) centers in the City of Phoenix. Evolving through more than 40 years of continuous assessment, improvement, and innovation, our exemplary programs serve as national models for excellence in early childhood and literacy education.

Community and Statewide Impact

ADDED to the regional economy

$31,283,079

487 EMPLOYED Head Start/EHS staff

1,289 SERVED total children/pregnant women

Comprehensive services for

1,146

FAMILIES

A Message from our Director

We proudly share the Annual Report for 2022-23, a time of full emergence, renewed strength, and integration in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Page after page, you can see shining examples of positive outcomes from the innovative strategies that were first implemented in 2021-22 to boost recruitment, foster retention, and raise levels of staff support. The addition of a Parent Portal to our locally designed Construct™ software has proven to be an invaluable bridge between staff and parents, school and home. Our groundbreaking Tablet Lending Program, which places a Wi-fi-enabled device in homes without digital access, continues to lead the way in promoting technology literacy and equity.

The calendar year 2023 marked a milestone in the successful completion of our grant cycle that began in 2018 and confirmation of our eligibility to continue operating under another five-year grant from the Office of Head Start. For details on the goals, objectives, and action steps outlined in our 2023-2028 Grant Goals and Objectives plan, click here Throughout this report, you will see evidence-based approaches and systems that are already in place to support the achievement of every stated goal.

In closing, I want to express heartfelt gratitude for every individual and organization working beside us to fulfill Head Start’s national commitment to give every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed. Our success depends upon an entire village, from the generous support of community partners and advocates to the passion and dedication of our staff and volunteers. Key partners like Mountain Park Health Center and Arcadia Pediatric Dental, along with thousands of supporters in public and private sectors, join us in meeting critical needs. Special recognition goes to our Head Start parents who inspire us with their love, courage, faith—and unstoppable determination to move their lives forward. Working in concert, we can realize the promise that all of Arizona’s children will be healthy, ready, and eager to embark on a wondrous journey of lifetime learning.

Head Start/Early Head Start Quick Facts

740 Head Start children

519 EHS children, 30 pregnant women

1,146 Head Start/EHS families

38 Head Start classes

25 Early Head Start classes

Mindy Zapata Director of Head Start and Early Head Start