ICAP’s Head Start: Building Healthy Families and Brighter Futures in Watertown
- Steve Jurrens
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a recent sit-down at the Northeast Radio SD studio, T’Ana Novy and Alana Huck, Family Service Specialists with the Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP), shared the profound impact their programs have on local families. Far from being just a daycare, ICAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve as a comprehensive support system designed to lift the entire family unit.
More Than Just a Classroom
One of the most significant takeaways from the interview was the distinction between standard childcare and the Head Start model.
“It’s not like a daycare; this is a school with teachers,” Alana Huck emphasized. “They are constantly undergoing training... we address children’s social-emotional needs also, because people aren’t naturally born on how to handle tough situations.”
The curriculum-based program focuses on holistic development, including daily life skills such as brushing teeth and potty training. Beyond the classroom, ICAP ensures that every child is physically ready to learn by facilitating hearing and vision screenings, dental visits, and medical checkups.
Supporting the “Whole Family”
ICAP’s mission extends beyond the child. T’Ana Novy explained how the organization serves as a bridge for parents who might be struggling to navigate community resources.
“We help families in all areas,” Novy noted. “If they need help with paperwork, or if they just need some guidance on where to get their kids in for medical appointments... we make sure their kids’ needs are met and their families’ needs as well.”
The partnership even assists families with complex issues, such as navigating SNAP benefits or finding mental health resources. “Ultimately, parents love their children,” Huck added. “They just might not know what’s available to help them more.”
Enrollment is Open Year-Round
While many think of school enrollment as a once-a-year event, ICAP is constantly looking for new families. The program serves 72 children in-center and 24 through its home-based program.
“We are recruiting right now,” Huck shared. “We recruit all year long. Don’t think just because you missed the first of September, your kid’s not getting in... if there’s an opening, we get it filled.”
ICAP follows federal poverty guidelines but encourages all families to apply, noting that certain expenses, such as housing costs, can sometimes be deducted from gross income to help a family qualify.
