The Central Alabama Child Development and CDC, Inc. deemed its recent Head Start Program recruitment kickoff in Selma a success, but it’s only the beginning of the yearlong process of finding youngsters to prepare for grade school.

The Central Alabama Child Development and CDC, Inc. Head Start Program held its recruitment kickoff in Selma on Monday, March 5, and officials said it was a success.

“The recruitment kickoff went well and we’re in the process of doing our second (of the year) tomorrow (Wednesday) in Marengo County,” said Judith Hardy, staffing and community partnership manager for Central Alabama Child Development and CDC, Inc. “We had 30 parents come in and pick up applications and some of them applied.”

The Head Start program aims to prepare children ages 3 to 5 years old for their entrance into kindergarten and public schools, and recruits children regardless of race, sex, creed, color, religion, national origin, and disability including children with severe disabilities.

The kickoff signifies the start of recruitment for the year by the program.

Hardy said those in Marengo County must bring their child’s certified birth certificate, a proof of income, a Blue Slip (immunization record), and Social Security and Medicaid cards.

“We’ll be in Marengo County at the George P. Austin Head Start Center (in Linden) and we’ll be giving out applications for children ages three to five from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Hardy said. “If they have their information they can apply on site. If not, we’ll give them a permission packet, tell them what they need to do to apply and they can come back at a later day.”

Dallas and Marengo counties aren’t the only places the program serves, as Hardy said there will also be recruitments for Choctaw County on April 4 and Wilcox County on April 11.

Hardy added that the program serves more than 670 children.

Those looking to register their child for the Head Start Program in Dallas County can still fill out an application at the program’s location at 713 J.L. Chestnut Jr. Boulevard, and parents must bring their child’s certified birth certificate, a proof of income, a Blue Slip (immunization record), and Social Security and Medicaid cards.

Hardy said the program has centers at schools around Dallas County.

“We just merged into the public school system,” Hardy said. “We have centers now at Southside Primary, Tipton-Durant Middle School and we’re in Bird Elementary School.”

For more information, contact Hardy at 410-1093