Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy (ELA) commemorates Head Start Awareness Month. The Head Start program itself was created by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 to provide comprehensive health, nutrition, and educational opportunities for children and families across the United States. Later, in 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October “Head Start Awareness Month.”  Children that participate in Head Start programs receive innumerable benefits. These advantages appear immediately, last a lifetime, and even have an effect on other generations. The effects are particularly strong amongst certain subgroups of children, particularly Hispanic and African-American children, dual language learners, children who are homeless or in foster care, those who qualify for free lunch, and those whose mothers didn’t graduate high school. For over 40 years, Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy has provided safe, nurturing, bilingual, and bicultural early childhood programming with proven results. The ELA offers center-based and home-based options for children to help prepare them to excel in kindergarten and beyond and children with special needs are welcome. If you or someone you know is looking to place their children in a program this fall, refer them to call 773-645-2316.