Still a revolutionary social program
By DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ
Pueblo Headstart program is moving forward with a recently-opened center in Walsenburg at 100 W. Spruce with the help of the new fiscal collaborator Chicanos por la Causa. The previous Headstart programs were run by Rocky Mountain SER, and the changeover happened two years ago.
Pueblo preschool services is only one of the many services provided by Chicanos por la Causa, the largest Latino nonprofit in the country. Services are provided to people of all backgrounds while honoring our Mexican American roots. Nationally, Chicanos por la Causa impacts almost one million lives every year.
Headstart was originally called a “poverty program that was tearing society apart and contributing to social polarization,” according to Dr. Edward F. Zigler, the 1970 director from the Office of Child Development in Washington (Golden Transcript, 8-27-1970).
In later years, Headstart became known as one of the most revolutionary social action programs. Nearly 90 per cent of needy parents of Headstart children think the program is beneficial.
Today, Pueblo is host to five Headstart centers, 265 children and 250 families, supported by Chicanos por la Causa, headquartered in Arizona with offices in eight states, according to Rhonda Kochis Dusky, area Vice-President of Operations. The CPLC also serves centers in Walsenburg and Trinidad said health coordinator Celia Serrano in an interview.
CPLA Headstart opened their Pueblo Centers with a ribbon cutting on Aug. 14 of this year.
Chicanos Por La Causa formed in 1969 to fight discrimination against the Mexican American community. They continue that fight to provide education services for 3-5 year olds, health and nutrition services with parent education. If not already enrolled, parents are urged to apply for SNAP, TANF, or SSI, as needed.
Headstart began in the repurposed School District 60 elementary buildings on Erie and underwent a D60 grab for the program in 1978. More recently, Rocky Mountain SER held the federal grant for the program and CPLC took over the grant in February 2024. Today, the Program operates independently from district oversight under the Colo. Dept. of Early Childhood Education which issues the licensing.
The centers are not required to be state licensed, Dusky said, but this program is seeking state licensing to be eligible for the Universal Pre-K launched in July 2023 for 15 hrs of free preschool.
Serrano said there are 104 staff members and 40 per cent of them are former participants.
A parent, Lawrence Montoya, related how the CPLC program changed his life and the quality of life for his family. “Back in 2023,” he said, “my family fell into crisis. I was struggling with substance abuse and through treatment I found an opportunity to go to school at Pueblo Community College.
The early childhood education program was also at PCC and Montoya called and expressed a desire to be a part of it to get support for his child who remained with the program for two years.
“During that time, I served on the Parent Council and learned how to advocate for my son and for myself. I finished two associate degrees at PCC in Behavioral Health and in Addictions Recovery,” Montoya continued. “CPLC was a huge part of supporting my family then and now.”
Ms. Dusky mentioned that they are now preparing for the holidays, not as religious events but as opportunities to give gifts to the children. “The Pueblo Bikers United Toy Run is a generous donor, along with other community organizations who are engaged,” she said. “The sites double as social services agencies to help locate needed resources for families. We serve families on public assistance, children in foster care, homeless families and children with disabilities.”
Headstart centers are in four Pueblo locations: Christ the King, 1 MacNaughton Rd., Life Center Academy Partnership, 807 San Angelo Ave., Kinderkirk Partnership, 434 S. Conquistador Ave., Pueblo West, Salvation Army, 401 S. Prairie Ave., and Pueblo Community College at 900 W. Orman Avenue. There are also centers in Walsenburg and Trinidad.
Headstart is assisted by a Parent Policy Council which has a say in budget and staffing. Dusky says that Headstart invests a lot in training for parents to encourage them to advocate for themselves and others. They also have a support group for grandparents.
Montoya said the program staff helped his family grow and educated them on gathering and using data for progressing. A staffer even volunteered to help him as he advocated for his son’s individual education program in public school.
All staff have access to a Professional Development Plan. CPLC offers tuition reimbursement for staff. They are currently searching for more staff.
Enrollment and eligibility are on a rolling basis as many families may drop or move. Children of migrant and seasonal working parents are also part of Headstart. Most staff are bilingual. Apply at any time by calling 719-420-0125.
The social and emotional skill foundation is critical in early childhood. “It’s important for a child to learn how to self-regulate and to be self-calming. These skills impact their decision-making all of their lives,” said Ms. Serrano.