Muskogee County Head Start/Smart Start

Green Country Behavioral Health Services became the local grantee for Muskogee County Head Start and Early Head Start in 1997. Grantees are responsible for implementing Performance Standards (mandatory federal regulations that govern every aspect of the Head Start program). Each Head Start and Early Head Start grantee is examined at least every three years by a team of federal monitors to ensure compliance with the regulations.

We serve over 500 Muskogee County families through these programs, providing not only early childhood education, but also services in the areas of health, nutrition, disabilities and behavioral health

What is Head Start?

Head Start provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through improved access to educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families. In 1994, the federal government created Early Head Start to address the comprehensive needs of low-income children under age 3 and pregnant women.