Community Action :: Showcase - Head Start, Early Head Start

April 25, 2025

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Myth of the Fade-Out Effect

Myth:Head Start (HS) produces a wide range of child educational, health, and law enforcement benefits. The myth is that all of these benefits disappear a few years after the child graduates from HS.

Facts:The fade-out effect myth originated with the findings of a 40-year-old study of HS conducted by the Westinghouse Learning Corporation and Ohio University in 1969. Subsequent analysis by researchers found that this cross-sectional study was methodologically flawed. Nevertheless, several researchers in several studies have reported that some educational gains made by children who attended HS or other preschool programs fade-out by third grade. A frequently cited explanation for this fade-out among many HS graduates is that they attend elementary schools of poor quality. Despite the fact that many HS graduates attend poor quality elementary schools HS children overcome this challenge and experience long-term favorable educational, health, and law enforcement benefits:

Reliable studies demonstrate that HS children experience increased achievement test scores and that HS children experience favorable long-term effects with decreased grade repetition and reduced need for special education in elementary and secondary schools.
Econometric analysis suggests that HS reduces the high school dropout rate.
Recent research reports that HS reduced the mortality rates for 5- to 9-year-old children that are 33 to 50 percent lower than for comparable children who were not enrolled in HS. These rates were reduced to the national average of mortality rates for all 5- to 9-year-old children.
Along with improving the health of its children and families, HS benefits its children and society-at-large by reducing crime and its costs to crime victims. HS children are significantly less likely to have been charged with a crime than their siblings who did not participate in HS.

Head Start, Early Head Start - NOW ENROLLING!

March 2015

FREE Head Start/Early Head Start services. Call 1-877-422-2726 to apply!

This program provides a safe, quality environment in which the children learn through hands on activities. The children also learn proper social skills in this environment.

This program provides quality educational and social experiences for preschool children at no cost to families. Children participate in fun activities that encourage them to develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Head Start programs are funded in part by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

Here is a success story from Anthony, a friend of Community Action:

"I got sole custody of my kids on August 4, and I was in shambles on what to do."

Anthony wanted to raise his four children right--he wanted to the the great father his children deserved. As a single father, he obtained full custody for his children shortly before the school year sharted and had to work quickly to get his children into school and preschool. Through a referral, Anothy signed his youngest son, Jerquavis, up for Community Action's Head Start program.

"Once I got into Head Start, then it was like everything else just fell in place. [Without Community Action], it would have been a longer struggle, finding out what is needed or where I can get the services. I don't really reach out. Head Start made it a lot easier to find out and also to ask for help."

Through Community Action's Head Start program, Jerquavis received a wonderful preschool education. In addition, Anthony found a support system for his entire family. Head Start assisted Anthony with referrals to children-friendly dentists and doctors, tutors for his older children, and opportunities for trainings. Now, a permanent member of the Head Start policy council, Anthony enjoys the continued services. He attends two to three trainings each year on subjects such as fatherhood, parenting and personal finances. He still uses the referral program to find services for his children. He also has used Community Action's other services, such as the weatherization program.

"It works. Invest as much as you can. It is going to benefit kids in the future, maybe even your kids or grandkids. Continue giving. Head Start is a blessing to a person like mysself."

Community Action is still enrolling children for the 2015-2016 Head Start and Early Head Start school year. Call today! Find the application for your county here!