Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through educational, health, nutritional, social and other services for enrolled children and families.  Classroom teams focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills and the social skills they need to be successful in school.  Head Start has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive services designed to foster healthy development in the most vulnerable young children, including those with special needs. 

Head Start also offers assistance in accessing comprehensive health services including physical exams, dental exams, nutritional needs, hearing/vision screenings, immunizations and developmental screenings.

Head Start programs engage parents in their children's learning and help them to make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the local Head Start programs.  Parents are involved through their local parent committees and through the Head Start Policy Council.

Parents are also given many opportunities to enhance their parenting and teaching skills by helping plan and teach activities to their child(ren).  Learning opportunities are available for parents through Bemidji State University’s Parenting Weekend and MEGA Early Childhood Conference. Bi-CAP offers parenting classes and special family events during the Head Start year as well.

Bi-CAP Head Start offers services to 242 children ages 3 through 5 and their families in Beltrami and Cass Counties.  Centers are located in Bemidji, Blackduck, Kelliher, Backus, Walker, Pillager, and Remer.  There are two types of programs offered:

• Combination programs offer 1 to 3 home visits per month and 1 to three days of classroom experience per week.
• Center based programs offer 4 to 5 days of classroom experience per week plus 2 home visits and 2 conferences per year.