some kids playing

Head Start

Project NOW Head Start is an early education and comprehensive family support program provided at no cost to families with 3-5 year olds.  Funded primarily by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S.  Department of Agriculture, services include:

Health and Disabilities Program
Options		 Parent
Services		 Locations and Transportation

Project NOW Head Start has programs located in Silvis, East Moline, Moline, Aledo, Kewanee, Colona.  The program serves families in Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties. 

a teach helping a little girl

The program is designed for the following:

  • Low-Income Families
  • Children Between the Ages of 3-5
  • Children with Disabilities
  • A Variety of Environments and Experiences
  • Promoting a Positive Self-Concept
  • Enhancing Awareness of the World
  • Partnering with Parents and Families

Health and Disabilities

Project NOW Head Start welcomes all families to participate, especially those whose children have health-related issues and disabilities.  Children who participate in the program are screened in the following ways:

  • Physical and Dental Examinations Required Prior to First Day
  • Hearing, Vision and Developmental Screenings within 45 Days
  • Social and Emotional Observations Every 3 Months

Families’ Health needs are met through the support of Head Start staff that:

  • Assist in Planning for any Medical or Dental Treatments
  • Work with Families to Develop Educational Goals for Children with Disabilities
  • Assist Parents in Securing a Family Doctor or Dentist
  • Work with Families and Specialists to Improve Child Behavior, Social and Emotional Skills
two kids eating a snack

Program Options

An important part of this process is to link families to the many resources available in their communities.  There are currently 3 options available:

1.  Center-Based Program:

  • Child Attends 4 to 5 times a Week
  • Up to 4 1/2 Hours Per Day
  • Monthly Parent Meetings and Family Activities Are Available
  • Child Development Advocate Home Visit a Minimum of 3 times Per Year
  • Parent Conferences in the Center 2 times a Year
  • 9-Month School Year
  • Summer Classes Available at Some Locations

2.  Home-Based/Playgroup

  • Each Week a Regularly-Scheduled Home Visit with Advocate
  • Each Week a Minimum of 1½ Hours per Visit
  • Each Week Parents and Advocate Plan Educational Activities for the
    • Family
  • Each Week the Child Attends a 3 1/2-Hour Classroom Session
  • Monthly Parent Meetings and Family Activities Are Available
  • 9-Month Program
two kids playing

3.  Extended Day Program

  • For Parents Who Require a Full Day and Full Year of Services
  • Entire Program is Held at a Child Care Partner’s Center
  • Includes a Minimum of a 3½ Hour Head Start Classroom Session Each Day
  • Full Day of Child Care Available Before and After the Head Start Session
  • Monthly Parent Meetings and Family Activities Are Available
  • Weekly Fee is Charged for the Child Care Services
  • Parent Conferences in the Center 2 times a Year

Parent Services

a loving family

Project NOW Head Start partners with parents and families to provide comprehensive family support and early childhood education.  At the start of each school year, an initial needs and strengths assessment is made during a home visit with a Head Start child development advocate.  Based on the family’s individual needs, parents and staff set goals for the children and their families in the areas of:

  • Health and Nutrition
  • Education
  • Emotional and Social Growth
  • Physical Development
  • Social Services Needed
  • Parental Involvement

An important part of this process is to link families to the many resources available in their communities.  Some of these resources are available through the Project NOW program buttons on the left side of the page.  Others are available by using the links on the Location & Transportation page.

Locations & Transportation

Kids getting on a school bus

Project NOW Head Start has programs located in Silvis, East Moline, Moline, Aledo, Kewanee and Colona.  The program serves families in Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties. 

Transportation is available from the home to the center for those families living more than one mile from these Centers: Silvis (Carbon Cliff), East Moline, Moline (Floreciente), Aledo, Kewanee and Colona. 

Parents interested in enrolling their children in Head Start can call one of the locations below to schedule an appointment between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00pm:

Rock Island County:
499 27th Street
East Moline, IL 61244
(309) 792-4555 		Henry County:
109 S.  Elm St.
Kewanee, IL 61443
(309) 852-4346 		Mercer County:
305 N.W.  7th St.
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-3668