Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Office of University Relations
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           www.selu.edu/NewsEvents
    Date: 4/20/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  68

NEW HEAD START CENTER AT SLU WILL PROVIDE FREE PRE SCHOOL FOR
STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University and the Regina Coeli Child
Development Center are now accepting pre-applications from Southeastern students, faculty and
staff for a free pre-school program at the new Head Start Child Development Center scheduled to
open on campus this fall.
     The center, which will be located in a new building on Southeastern's North Campus, will
serve 120 children, ages three-five years old, said its director, Susan Cooper, a member of the
Southeastern Counseling, Family Studies and Leadership Department faculty. Cooper, a
Southeastern faculty member for more than 20 years, has served on the Regina Coeli board of
directors and the Hammond Head Start Advisory Committee and has been a Head Start volunteer
since 1993.
     The existing SLU Child Development Center, which serves 32 three and four-year-olds, 
will merge with the new program with CDC director Gretchen May becoming education
coordinator. She will assist with the collaboration between Southeastern students and faculty and
the Head Start program. 
     "The new SLU Head Start center will expand opportunities for Southeastern interns,
practicum students, student teachers, faculty and volunteers to observe and conduct research in a
developmentally appropriate preschool," Cooper said.
     The Southeastern Head Start program is made possible through a partnership between the
university and the Regina Coeli Child Development Center, a private, non-profit organization
funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1969, Regina Coeli
                                 (MORE) 
SLU HEAD START CENTER -- Add One

operates 12 Head Start programs in Tangipahoa, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany and
Washington Parishes.
     "The opportunity for expansion of services was made available to programs who were
willing to collaborate with other community organizations, such as a university," Cooper said. 
"Based on the fact that Regina Coeli has a reputation for providing quality programs, the
continued growth at Southeastern, and the previous working relationship between the two, the
grant proposal was selected for funding."
     Cooper said that since the program is funded by Head Start, eligibility will be based on
the official poverty line, family size and income. Priority will be given to the children of
Southeastern students first, then staff, faculty and community residents, in that order.
     "It is anticipated that more children will be eligible than the program has been funded to
serve," Cooper said. "Therefore, priorities established by the RCCDC Board of Directors which
will be used to determine the order of selection. For example, first priority will be given to a
four-year-old child of a full-time Southeastern student."
     According to Head Start guidelines, a child must be four years old by Sept. 30.
     Pre-applications can be obtained at the SLU Child Development Center, located on North
Oak Street across from Pursley Hall, 504-549-5852.               
- SLU -
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www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp98.htm