Astor operates all the Head Start Programs in Dutchess County. Head Start is a federally funded program for children from low-income families. It is a preschool developmental program of early childhood education and ancillary services including health (physical, dental, mental), nutrition, and social services, with extensive parental involvement and participation. Children with disabilities are served within a fully integrated setting with non-disabled children.
Head Start Program
(Available at all Astor Dutchess Co. early childhood locations)
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The goal of Astor’s Head Start Program is to provide a comprehensive child development program for children, ages 3 to 5, from low-income families in Dutchess county.
Services: This program is individualized to assist the child’s development socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Support can include physical, dental, mental health, nutrition, and social services.
Head Start Programs support the parent as the child’s primary teacher. Astor believes that an essential part of the program is the involvement of parents. They are given the opportunity to participate in parent education, program planning, serving as center volunteers, and as members of advisory councils and committees. Adult education opportunities are available to all parents.
Early Head Start Program
(Available at all Astor Dutchess Co. early childhood locations)
The goal of Astor’s Early Head Start Program is to provide comprehensive child development services to young children, ages 0 to 3, and their families.
Services: This program provides services through two models — home-based and center-based:
- The home-based program consists of a weekly 90-minute home visit by a Parent Infant Educator who supports the parents and child with information and activities on child development, parenting skills, nutrition, and health.
- The center-based Nurturing Rooms offer small groups of children of mixed ages (six weeks – 18 months through three years) opportunities for individualized development through primary care giving; one-on-one routines; and exploration of interesting, safe materials in a child-focused environment.
Preschool Special Education Programs
Special Class Integrated Services are offered at the Mt. Alvernia, Poughkeepsie, Beacon and Wingdale locations.
The goal of this program is to provide a stimulating preschool program to children with disabilities by integrating disabled and non-disabled children in an inclusive classroom setting.
Services: Diagnostic and evaluative services; speech and language; and physical, occupational and play therapies are all offered in accordance with individualized education plans. The special early childhood education classroom participants receive health screenings, parenting education courses, and Family Advocate support services.
Special Class serves the Mid-Hudson Region at our Beacon and Poughkeepsie locations.
The goal of this program is to provide special education and therapeutic services in a self-contained classroom for children whose disability causes behavior management needs.
Services: Diagnostic and evaluative services; speech and language; and physical, occupational and play therapies are all offered in accordance with individualized education plans. The special early childhood education classroom participants receive health screenings, parenting education courses, and Family Advocate support services.
Therapeutic Preschool serves the Mid-Hudson Region at our Poughkeepsie location.
The goal of this program is to provide educational and therapeutic services for children with emotional disturbances and/or behavioral problems who require a structured day program. We want to enable the child to return to a less restrictive pre-school setting.
Services: This program provides assessment and treatment planning, crisis intervention, case management, and verbal therapies. Social thinking, task and skill training, and socialization activities are provided in an educational/therapeutic milieu designed by an interdisciplinary team of clinical and educational staff.
Locations
Astor Services For Children & Families operates early childhood programs at the following Dutchess County Locations:
Beacon
Millerton
Mt. Alvernia
Poughkeepsie
Red Hook
Wingdale
For more information, contact the Dutchess Early Childhood Program Administration Office:
50 Delafield Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1707
Ph: (845) 452-4167
Fx: (845) 452-0718
Or CONTACT US on line.
Click for a map of our locations:
Astor Head Start Annual Report
We are proud that our most recent Federal Review revealed that our programs around Dutchess County had no negative program findings.
Our Annual Report details our successes and provides information from parents’ and teachers’ points of view.