AlbanyCAP.org - Albany Community Action Partnership -

Head Start Program

Committed To Our Future Today
ACAP Head Start in Albany County was first established as a pilot project in 1965. It became a permanently funded activity with Albany Community Action Partnership in 1966.

During the 2008-2009 school year Albany Community Action Partnership Head Start Program served 469 children and families including the Home-Based program. Three enrollment options are available for the community’s needs.

Extended day and year classes are currently available at two Head Start center locations in Albany for children whose parents work, attend school or receive training.
Head Start collaborates with local school districts to provide Universal Pre-K services in school district buildings and Head Start centers in Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet and Berne-Knox-Westerlo.
Integrated Special Education Services services are incorporated into our UPK classrooms at Giffen Elementary School in Albany and the Watervliet Elementary School in Watervliet.

Head Start provides comprehensive health, nutrition, dental, mental health, parent involvement, education and family development services. Center-based children receive two-thirds of the recommended daily nutritional allowances through breakfast and lunch provided at Head Start. Thirty percent of the enrolled children are diagnosed with disabilities and a full range of inclusive special education services are available.

For enrollment forms or to review qualifying information, please open the 2010 Head Start Application.

100% of Head Start Children:

Have up-to-date immunizations
Receive a complete annual health physical
Receive annual hearing and vision screenings
Receive annual dental screenings and indicated follow-up dental work
Receive developmental education screenings and recommendations

A large number of our current staff are former Head Start parents. These individuals simultaneously fill a vital role in their child's life and experience improved economic circumstances.

Head Start programs create positive, long-lasting outcomes by meeting critical needs and offering families new possibilities. Research shows that children who attend high quality, comprehensive early childhood programs:

require 90% fewer special educational services;
have 45% lower adolescent pregnancy rates;
have 30% lower juvenile delinquency rate;
have higher employment rates as adults;
have higher literacy;
are less likely to be on welfare;
are more likely to attend college;
are significantly more likely to own a home.

For every $1.00 we spend on a child in a Head Start program, we save $7.12 in future remediation costs alone. Head Start not only helps participants change the quality of their family's lives, it also helps the community.

ACAP's Head Start program depends on community support. The program must meet a 25% matching funds requirement. Please visit our How to Donate page for information on how you can help.

For more information on our Head Start program offered throughout Albany County, please view our frequently asked questions, contact the center nearest you, or call the ACAP Administrative Office at 518.463.3175.