Accessing a quality health care service in any country or state is vital to maintaining good health and, consequently, the nation’s economic output. Planned programs to help a nation fight against vicious poverty are critical to developing a nation. Head Start is a program designed to help break poverty by providing families with low income with their social, emotional, nutritional, health, and psychological needs (Jenkins et al., 2016). This is a program that would be of much help to disadvantaged children. State-Funded Care is a type of health care designed to cover most, if not all, medical costs. The funds utilized are acquired from public funds.
According to the Federal Government guidelines, for one to qualify for Head Start, they have to be children aged between 0-5 years and come from families with low income (Jenkins et al., 2016). Additionally, the homeless and foster care residents are also eligible for Head Start. For the State Funded Care, all citizens of the United States and non-citizens who are listed in the Federally Funded Health Care qualify for the State Funded Care (Head Start History | ECLKC, 2018).
Head Start has a long history that can be traced down to when Lyndon was the President around 1965 when he declared war on poverty in his speech (Jenkins et al., 2016). Right after that, a team of experts developed a comprehensive program that would help meet disadvantaged children’s needs from communities. Head Start was then transferred to the Office of Child Development. Under the leadership of Bill Clinton, Head Start fully expanded. It was again strengthened by being given several provisions during the presidency of George Bush. Over 30 million children from different states have been served by Head Start since 1965 (Head Start History | ECLKC, 2018). It has grown to a full-year service from just an eight-week project. As of now, it is under the control of the Administration for Children and Families, a department in the Health and Human Services in the United States.
The State Funded Care was established over 70 years ago. It was started by the New York philanthropist Josephine Jewell. The State Funded Care served two purposes; the first was to serve the needs of a child, and the second, to help finance the children’s early education programs (Child Care and Development Programs, 2020). These two purposes eased the financial pain of the parents, hence enabling them to work more. The program has also enabled children to succeed in their respective endeavors. Despite the varying design, intent, and scope of State-Funded Care, a greater understanding of the children’s societal beliefs and brain development is being witnessed.
Parents should look for quality indicators when searching for child care, including group size, health and safety, family involvement, and caregiver education for a child requires them to feel accepted by all stakeholders (Jenkins et al., 2016). Over many years the federal government has invested heavily in the State Funded Care system, which has evolved tremendously. The purpose of State-Funded Care has a system that provides an equal opportunity for all people to enjoy the possibly highest health level (Child Care and Development Programs, 2020).
In conclusion, accessing a quality health care service in any country is vital to maintaining good health for its people. It is essential to have programs that can help persons overcome various life difficulties. Thus, straightforward programs should be created to serve this purpose. Head Start and State-Funded Care programs are the vital ones to help a nation fight vicious poverty.
References
Child Care and Development Programs – CalEdFacts. (2020). Web.
Head Start History | ECLKC. (2018). Web.
Jenkins, J. M., Farkas, G., Duncan, G. J., Burchinal, M., & Vandell, D. L. (2016). Head Start at ages 3 and 4 versus Head Start followed by state pre-k: Which is more effective? Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 38 (1), 88-112. Web.