CAPK Head Start operates 32 Head Start Centers in Kern County and 7 Head Start Centers in San Joaquin counties. All Head Start sites were closed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Action Partnership of Kern Head Start and Early Head Start Programs reopened 11 early childhood education sites in Kern County at the beginning of June, after the State of California lifted its closure orders. Seven sites in San Joaquin County reopened on Monday, July 6. The remaining sites are currently scheduled to return to full education programming in August.
A strict portfolio of safety features are in place to reduce the risk of virus transmission while children are learning with Head Start. Those include staggered arrival and pick up, daily non-contact health screenings for staff, parents and children, limited classroom size, physical distancing procedures, regular hand-washing and use of personal protective equipment.