How the Program Developed

"The collaboration efforts began when the need for more space in which full-day childcare could be provided was realized by the Guadalupe Center".

In approaching this collaboration, one of the primary goals was to provide Head Start services to families in need of full-day childcare.

The administrators at Guadalupe explored the community for childcare programs already in existence that might have children who would meet the criteria for participation in the Head Start Program.

Bob Conrad, the director of Guadalupe Head Start, had been on the Board of Directors at the St. Joseph’s Center for Children while it was still operating under the name of South Daycare. He suggested Guadalupe’s Executive Director contact St. Joseph’s about a possible collaboration between the two organizations. A survey was done of St. Joseph’s enrollment, and a significant number of Head Start-eligible children were found.  A "perfect match" for collaboration had been found. >>