BBCF Head Start program receives national 'Program of Excellence' accreditation

Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) Head Start in Selma is one of 12 programs to receive a "Program of Excellence" accreditation from the National Head Start Association (NHSA).

The designation is awarded to Head Start and Early Head Start programs that serve children from birth to age five with education and wraparound services. 

BBCF serves 300 children from income-eligible households in Choctaw, Dallas, Marengo, and Wilcox counties.

“Our curriculum focuses on concrete and abstract experiences that provide children with knowledge of themselves and the world around them. Two defining features of the Head Start model are its comprehensive classroom experience and the significant involvement of parents in all aspects of the program.“ says BBCF’s Head Start Director, Dr. Taquila Monroe.

“Our teachers prepare children for kindergarten and beyond, while our Family Advocates connect families to essential community resources, ensuring children are up to date on their medical and dental appointments, and helping families set and achieve short and longer-term goals. Parents volunteer for class activities, serve on policy councils and parent boards and participate in trainings and workshops. We are proud to help our families build brighter futures and become positive contributors to their communities.”

Others to receive accreditation are: 

• Centro De La Familia, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Child Crisis Arizona Early Education Services, Mesa, Arizona
• Flowers Early Learning, Paw Paw, Michigan
• Jefferson County Head Start, Arvada, Colorado
• KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Gray, Kentucky
• Orange County Head Start, Inc., Santa Ana, California
• Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start, Columbia, Mississippi
• Pomona Unified School District, Pomona, California
• Successful Beginnings Wyandotte County Head Start, Kansas City, Kansas
• Wayne Action Group For Economic Solvency, Inc, Goldsboro, North Carolina
• You Thrive Florida Learning Programs, Woodland Boulevard, Deland, Florida

The winners will be formally recognized in January 2025 at NHSA’s Winter Leadership Institute, in Washington, D.C.