Riverbend Head Start and Family Services

Since 1916, Riverbend Head Start & Family Services has been focused on improving the lives of mothers and children in our community. Today, the agency serves the entire family through its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Services are provided at NO COST TO THE FAMILY and include services and resources for children with disabilities.

We serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pregnant moms living in Madison County, Illinois. We operate six centers which include one center in Alton, Bethalto, Collinsville, and Edwardsville and two centers in Granite City (North and South).

OUR PROGRAMS:
Head Start: Early childhood education program for children ages three to five years old at one of our Head Start centers or in your home.
Early Head Start: Home visitors visit pregnant women and families with children under three in their homes each week.

While our home visits helps to improve maternal parenting practices, the quality of a child's home environment and a child's development, our parent engagement and family advocate services also offer support to a child's education at home, builds confidence and develops leadership skills in parents.

We are committed to preparing children for kindergarten and so much more. We want families to be healthy and positioned to succeed in life.
This is why we offer the following program services:

Health Services:
- Physical and dental exams with follow up treatment if necessary
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- Prenatal care
- Nutrition education

Education Services:
- Individual assessments
- Creative play
- Social skill development
- Learn & Play groups
- Field trips
- Age-appropriate child activities
- Introduction to words & numbers

Social Services:
- Identify and link families to community resources
- Empower families to set and achieve goals
- Support families in problem solving

Parent Engagement:
- Support child's education at home
- Build confidence
- Develop leadership skills
- Parent meetings and workshops
- Parents as volunteers

Transportation services are also provided for most center-based activities, all home-based Learn & Play Groups and field trips.