HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START ELIGIBILITY

Applications are taken for children that are at least 3 or 4 years old by August 31 of the program year (class age). Also, Southeastern Community Action Partnership is licensed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Childcare to serve children 3 – 5 years of age (actual age). Therefore, your child must be 3 years old before entry into the Head Start classroom for Head Start services.

Priority will be given as follows:

Eligible four-year-olds within income guidelines will be served first with consideration to the following:
1. Documented disabled within income guidelines.
2. Suspected disabled within income guidelines.
3. Hardship (Ex: abused or neglected, impoverished, isolated child, physically or mentally ill parents, drug abusers, fosters care and homeless).
Documented four-year-olds disabled over income guidelines.
Over income guideline four-year-olds – lowest to highest income, beginning with Category 1, as listed on the SCAP Head Start Program Poverty Guidelines.
Eligible three-year-olds within income guidelines will be served with consideration to the following:
1. Documented disabled within income guidelines.
2. Suspected disabled within income guidelines.
3. Hardship (Ex: abused or neglected, impoverished, isolated children, physically or mentally ill parents, drug abusers, foster care and homeless).
Documented three-year-olds disabled over income guidelines.
Over income guideline three-year-olds – lowest to highest income, beginning with Category 1, as listed on the SCAP, Inc. Head Start Program Poverty Guidelines.

EARLY HEAD START ELIGIBILITY

Applications are taken on children that are 2 years old by August 31 of the program year (class age).

Priority will be given as follows:

Eligible two-year-olds within income guidelines will be served first with consideration to the following:
1. Documented disabled within income guidelines.
2. Suspected disabled within income guidelines.
3. Hardship (Ex: abused or neglected, impoverished, isolated child, physically or mentally ill parents, drug abusers, fosters care and homeless).
Documented two-year-olds disabled over income guidelines.
Over income guideline two-year-olds – lowest to highest family income, beginning with Category 1, as listed on the SCAP Head Start Program Poverty Guidelines.

RECRUITMENT/APPLICATION PROCESS

The recruitment process is ongoing throughout the program. Our recruitment goal is to reach all eligible children and families. Southeastern Community Action Partnership’s Head Start Program operates centers in six counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland.

SPECIAL NOTE

Income eligibility is determined according by the Department of Health and Human Service guidelines and wage verification.
Acceptance of over-the income applicants will be 10% maximum (including documented disabled and returnees).

Ericka Jones Whitaker, Ed. D, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Ericka Jones Whitaker assumed the Chief Executive Officer role of Southeastern Community Action Partnership, formerly Southeastern Community & Family Services, Inc. (SCFS), in 2014. SCAP is one of the largest Community Action agencies in North Carolina. Whitaker oversees an annual budget of over $22 million, through several federally-funded programs and leads approximately 250 staff.

Dr. Whitaker is the recipient of the Carl D. Perkins Humanitarian Award by the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) for her overall community leadership, specifically for bringing resources to the counties she serves after the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Dr. Whitaker is also the recipient of the Roselle Copeland Stewardship Award for her work in community action and has received other leadership awards for her servitude in various communities.

Whitaker previously held management positions with several nonprofit trade associations in Washington, D.C., including the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). She was a former full-time Executive in Residence, Professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke School of Business and often teaches as an adjunct instructor. Dr. Whitaker serves on the Board of Directors for CAPLAW which provides legal and financial resources to Community Action Agencies, the North Carolina Community Action Association, and the Fayetteville NC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc where she has served as the Foundation Chair.

Whitaker holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC; a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) with a focus in Nonprofit Management from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Communications from The University of Maryland, University College in College Park, MD. Dr. Whitaker is a member of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Dr. Whitaker is the youngest of three, who was raised in a military family. Dr. Whitaker has lived in seven other states and Europe. She continues to have a love for traveling and cultural cuisine. With all of the “hats” she wears, Dr. Whitaker believes nothing precedes her most important role as a mother to her beautiful daughter.

Her favorite quote is by former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela: “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”

Tamara Monroe, MHRM, Chief Operating Officer

With over 10+ years of Human Resource experience in retail, local and federal government, higher education and nonprofit sectors, Tamara Monroe is the Chief Operating Officer of Southeastern Community Action Partnership. Ms. Monroe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management, and a Master’s in Human Resource with a focus in Organizational Management.

Her motto is: “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – First Lady Michelle Obama.

Liying Reeder, MBA Chief Financial Officer

Liying Reeder, MBA, has more than 20 years of progressive experience in accounting and management and holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Reeder’s personal motto is that “One person can make a difference.”

Cynthia Foskey, Director of Executive Administration and Contracts

A servant-leader with a servant’s heart for others, Ms. Cynthia Foskey oversees Executive Administration and Contracts for Southeastern Community Action Partnership. With over 26 years of experience in community and non-profit sector work, Ms. Foskey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.

Tonie Brite, MS, Head Start/Early HS Director

Tonie Brite manages Head Start/Early Head Start activities, including overseeing program operations and program development regulations. Ms. Brite holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s in Human Services.

Tiffany Anthony, Section 8 Program Director

Tiffany Anthony brings over 15 years’ experience in Community Action, case management and advocacy for individuals, children and families that face economic challenges with limited resources
Tiffany holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Communications.

Kathleen Lowe Jacobs, MSW, Community Services Block Grant Program Director

With over nine years in The Community Action network, Mrs. Jacobs has a passion for encouraging and empowering individuals who are seeking change. She received her Master’s in Social Work and also holds a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Her motto is: “All things are possible no matter what gets in your way! You can do it!”