Tri-Valley Migrant and Seasonal Head Start continues long tradition of providing child development services while keeping them safe

OWATONNA - Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program recently resumed comprehensive child development services to children of low-income families currently working in, or migrate for the purpose of working in seasonal agriculture.

Tri-Valley Head Start provides individualized services collaboratively developed among staff, parents, and community partners to meet the needs of children and families. Services include early childhood education, medical and dental examinations, immunizations, developmental screenings, disabilities services, mental health, parent involvement and education, referrals to community resources and transportation to and from the center.

Nationally, Migrant Seasonal Head Start was created to respond to the needs of migrant farm worker families by providing child care services to young children of migrants and keeping them out of the fields with their parents, where they could be exposed to pesticides, hazardous equipment, extreme heat, and other dangers. MSHS has served migrant children since 1969 and seasonal children since 1999.

Tri-Valley Migrant and Seasonal Head Start currently provides services to children and families in 14 communities located throughout Minnesota and northeast North Dakota and will be adding an additional center in August. Duration of services vary by location; the Owatonna center is scheduled to operate until November 3, 2017. For more information on services or seasonal employment opportunities, contact Amber Eckhardt at 507-455-2203.