What is Head Start?

According to the Office of the Administration for Children & Families, Head Start programs promote the school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families. Services are provided in a variety of settings including centers, family child care, and children's own home. Head Start programs also engage parents or other key family members in positive relationships, with a focus on family wellbeing. Parents participate in leadership roles, including having a say in program operations.

More on Head Start
More on Head Start

What is Title 1?

Title I is one of the federal funding streams that supplements how much money each state allocates for schools. There are other “Title” funds too, I-VII, all aiming to aid students who have burdens that may get in the way of accessing an equitable education. These burdens include poverty, homelessness, living in state-run institutions, living in isolated rural districts, and those still learning the English language. (There is a separate funding stream for students with disabilities.)

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Title I was created “to ensure economically disadvantaged children receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, by helping to close academic achievement gaps.”

More on Title I
More on Title I

Help kids in rural Maine start the school year strong

It’s that time of year and we’re launching our fourth Back to School campaign for TLR and the kids (and teachers) we support here in rural Maine. Much of the funding for the kids in our local Head Starts and Title 1 elementary schools is uncertain at best this year. And as important as the books we give to kids through their teachers is almost as important is the fact that they know someone cares, someone who doesn’t know them personally but is generous enough to give them a book they can love.

Over the years, we’ve been able to get a jump on our early-literacy programs with help from friends like you. Most of our income doesn’t arrive until the holidays, so this campaign has really grown in impact and importance. Early gifts equal early academic success. Please consider giving to our “Back to School” campaign. We’re hoping to raise $10,000 to get our literacy programs off to a running start. We (and our kids) thank you in advance.

Who is Team Long Run?

Get inspired by the industry greats.

By fourth grade, only 1 in 5 kids in poverty are reading at grade level. We knew we had to do something. Research shows that books in the home are a reliable predictor of a child’s academic success.

Active play helps get kids ready to learn. We saw the positive impact active play had in the classroom, and created simple programs to help teachers bring movement back into the school day.