Early Childhood Programs

Ellen Farrar
Deputy Director
Coordinator of Early Childhood Programs

Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. is a major provider of services to low income children in Westchester and Putnam Counties, with over two thousand children receiving Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care and Therapeutic Services in twenty-eight sites across the county. Children are served from six weeks to five years in centers that follow Head Start Performance Standards, providing comprehensive programming to children and families. The goal of the program is to support families who are leaving the welfare system as well as to strengthen children's skills to allow for success in later life. The emphasis in all of our programs is to enhance the parents' skills as the most important teacher for their children. Cooperative agreements with many community agencies enhance our ability to provide comprehensive services including health/mental health and nutritional services.

The Early Childhood Programs Parent Policy Council comprised of parents and community representatives serves as the policy-making body and helps to develop program plans and oversees the operation of the Early Childhood Program under the auspices of the WestCOP Board.

WestCOP's continuing commitment to the Early Childhood Program rests on the premise that children who are healthy, well fed and secure in their lives are the future productive citizens of the nation. This commitment has gone beyond just the programs operated directly by us. WestCOP serves as an advocate for needed child care services in the country as a whole. the Early Childhood Program has been, therefore, a cooperating link between families, community, services and maintains a staff of over 400 to help accomplish this mission.