Head Start Program
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Wayne Metro Head Start is a federally funded preschool program for income-eligible families with children between the ages of 3-5 in the cities of Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park and the Grosse Pointes.
The Head Start Program classroom offers a warm and comfortable environment where young children can learn, grow and develop. The Head Start educational curriculum of High/Scope is a nationally accepted approach to preschool education that has been tested and researched for more than 30 years. The High/Scope Preschool Curriculum views children as active learners, who learn best from activities that they themselves plan, carry out and reflect upon.
Head Start is more than just a preschool. Head Start provides supportive services to the entire family. Parents are encouraged to be involved and have input into all phases of the program.
Head Start Offers Children:
Full or Part Day Classes - Resources to FREE Medical and Dental Care
- Nutrition (healthy meals and snacks)
- Socialization & Problem Solving Skills
- Language & Literacy
- Self Confidence
- Kindergarten Readiness
- Excitement for Learning
- Services for Children with Disabilities
- Culturally Diverse Staff
Head Start Offers Families:
- Degreed Staff Trained in Childhood Development and Early Education
- Incentive Programs
- Fatherhood/Male Involvement Activities
- Educational Programs & Workshops
- Special Events/Activities for the Entire Family
- Child Development Workshops
- Classroom Involvement & Volunteering
Eligibility is based on income and age, and will be determined at the time of application. Children do not have to be potty-trained to enroll in Head Start. Children with a disability are mainstreamed in a regular classroom setting. Wayne Metropolitan Head Start Program does not discriminate against any persons because of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, age, height or weight.
Head Start Program Site Information
Hamtramck Head Start at Wayne Metro Early Childhood Center
12031 Mitchell
Hamtramck, MI 48212
313-369-4600
Harper Woods Head Start
19258 Kelly
Harper Woods, MI 48225
313-521-3558
Highland Park Head Start at Cortland Elementary
138 Cortland St.
Highland Park, MI 48203
(313) 865-4631
Visit Wayne Metro Head Start’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wmheadstart
Even Start Program
Wayne Metro’s Even Start Program is a family literacy program offered to income-eligible parents and their children ages birth to 7 years old of age in the cities of Hamtramck and Highland Park. The Even Start Program helps parents strengthen the literacy and parenting skills they need to help their children reach their full capacity as learners.
Even Start offers comprehensive and integrated services, including:
Parents As Learners
- General Education Development (GED) preparation, Adult Basic Education (ABE), and English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Small class sizes
- Life Skills and Employment Training Opportunities
- Monthly, individualized home visits
- Family goal setting
Parents As Teachers – Parent Education and Parent-Child Interactive Literacy
- Parent training to support children’s reading readiness
- Literacy-based activities between parent and child
- Family centered events and field-trips
- Free books and literacy materials
Children As Learners – Early Childhood
- Free, age-appropriate early childhood instruction
- Nutritional meals and snacks
- Safe and caring atmosphere
- Access to Head Start Program
For more information please contact:
Even Start Program at the Wayne Metro Early Childhood Center
Even Start Coordinator
12031 Mitchell
Hamtramck, MI 48212
313-369-4600
Early Learning Communities (ELC)
Wayne Metro’s Early Learning Communities (ELC) Program, in partnership with United Way of Southeastern Michigan, offers parents and caregivers free workshops and resources needed to ensure that children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
Wayne Metro’s ELC Program offers trainings in three locations: Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Harper Woods.
Involvement in the Early Learning Communities Program offers many benefits:
- A safe space to learn child education techniques and network with peers
- Over 30 High Scope research-based workshops on a wide array of child development topics.
- Opportunity to earn CDA equivalents and CEUs to further educational credentials
- Free CPR and Health & Safety training for unlicensed DHS childcare providers
- Free training, resources, and educational materials that parents and caregivers can use in the home
- Free childcare while parents and caregivers attend trainings.
- Rewards program that allows parents and caregivers to earn gift cards, children’s books and toys, home improvements, professional resources and more as they complete workshop trainings.
For a list of this month’s ELC workshop classes and locations, click here.
To join Wayne Metro’s Early Learning Communities, contact:
ELC Hub Manager
Wayne Metro’s Region I Community Services Center
138 Cortland
Highland Park, MI 48203
(313) 865-4631 ext. 286
School-Age Youth Programs
Wayne Metro's Before & After-School Youth Services provide high quality academic enrichment and recreational activities.
Wayne Metro is proud to be a part of the Michigan Department of Education 21st Century Learning Centers program. In 2007, Wayne Metro was awarded five year 21st CCLC grants for the programs at Myers Elementary, Hoover Middle, and West Middle. In 2009, Wayne Metro was awarded a grant for two additional sites in Taylor (Truman High School and Kennedy High School) and three additional sites in River Rouge (Ann Visger Elementary School, Sabbath Middle School and River Rouge High School).
Youth enrolled in each of Wayne Metro's Before & After School programs receive high-quality care and enjoyable activities such as:
- Homework assistance
- Academic tutoring
- Academic lessons linked to school day curriculum
- Literacy support
Arts and crafts, painting, drawing and more- Games and recreation
- Sports and other physical activity
- Field Trips
- Computer learning and other technology
Programs are currently available in the following communities and locations:
Myers Action Institute- Myers Elementary in Taylor
Hoover Action Institute - Hoover Middle School in Taylor
West Action Institute - West Middle School in Taylor
Kennedy Action Institute - Kennedy High School in Taylor
Truman Action Institute - Truman High School in Taylor
Sabbath Project Achieve - Sabbath Preparatory School in River Rouge
Visger Project Achieve - Ann Visger Elementary School in River Rouge
River Rouge Project Achieve - River Rouge High School in River Rouge
Kid Connections - Allendale Elementary School in Melvindale
K.E.Y. Program - Wayne County Family Center Homeless Shelter in Westland
For more information please contact:
Carla Chinavare, Director of School Age Youth Programs
Wayne Metro Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Summer Youth Programs
Wayne Metro's summer programs provide children with an opportunity to enjoy the summer months in a fun, safe environment.
Summer Programs generally run Monday through Thursday and children take part in daily activities like recreation, gardening, crafts, problem solving and team building. Swimming and frequent field trips are also scheduled.
Melvindale Summer Program at Allendale Elementary
The Melvindale Summer Program is a free program for income-eligible families with children 5-12 years (K-5th grade) who are residents of the Melvindale Northern Allen Park School District.
River Rouge Summer Program at Hyacinth Court in River Rouge
The River Rouge Summer Program is a free program for income eligible families with children 7-14 years of age who reside in River Rouge Public Housing.
Myers Summer Program at Myers Elementary in Taylor
The Myers Summer Program is a free program for income-eligible families with children 5-12 years (K-6th grade) who are enrolled in Myers Elementary.
K.E.Y. (Keeping and Eye on Youth) Summer Program at the Wayne County Family Center in Westland
The K.E.Y. Program is a free program for children 5-17 years of age residing with their families at the Wayne County Family Center Homeless Shelter.
Hoover Action Institute - Hoover Middle School in Taylor
The Hoover Action Institute’s Summer Program is a free program for children in 7th and 8th grade at Hoover Middle School.
West Action Institute - West Middle School in Taylor
The West Action Institute’s Summer Program is a free program for children in 7th and 8th grade at West Middle School.
Kennedy Action Center – Kennedy High School in Taylor
The Kennedy Action Center’s Summer Program is a free program for students in grades 9-12 at Kennedy High School.
Truman Action Center – Truman High School in Taylor
The Truman Action Center’s Summer Program is a free program for students in grades 9-12 at Truman High School.
Visger Project Achieve - Ann Visger Elementary School in River Rouge
The Visger Project Achieve Program is a free program for students in grades 1-5 at Ann Visger Elementary School.
Sabbath Project Achieve - Sabbath Middle School in River Rouge
The Sabbath Project Achieve Program is a free program for students in grades 6-8 at Sabbath Middle School.
River Rouge High School Project Achieve - River Rouge High School in River Rouge
The RRHS Project Achieve Program is a free program for students in grades 9-12 at River Rouge High School.
For more information please contact:
Wayne Metro C.A.A. Main Service Office
Carla Chinavare, Director of School Age Youth Programs
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Community Baby Shower
Wayne Metro hosts an Annual Baby Shower for low-income expectant parents each Fall. The event includes informational presentations that help expectant parents prepare for the arrival of their new baby. Presentations vary each year, but have included:
Brain Development
The Importance of Early Education
Breastfeeding
Books and Reading
Healthy Relationships
Parenting Styles
Nutrition
Dental Care
Safety in the Home
The Baby Shower is also an opportunity for parents to receive much-needed items for their new baby. Parents attending the Shower are eligible to receive free gifts during the event.
To be eligible, parents must reside in Out-Wayne County (the 42 communities surrounding the city of Detroit) and be pregnant or have a child less than three months of age as of the date of the event.
For more information, please contact:
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
(734) 246-2280
Homeless Youth Education Project
Wayne Metro’s Homeless Youth Education Project provides support and resources to homeless children and families to ensure that they receive high-quality educational experiences like their peers. The Program also provides trainings and technical assistance to teachers, school administrators and homeless liaisons.
Support Services include:
- Help with identifying homeless/marginally housed children
- One-on-one or group trainings
- Technical assistance
- Help with budget guidelines and appropriate usage of funds
- Transportation Coordination
- Linkages to resources and networking with local, community-based homeless, and social service agencies.
Wayne Metro is The Michigan Department of Education’s Homeless Services Grant Coordinator.
For more information please contact:
Wayne Metro Main Service Office
Julie Davis, Homeless Children & youth Projects Coordinator
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999