Empower

all parents to be leaders, teachers, and advocates for their families, their children's education and their communities. Read More

A Head Start Success Story

With no one to care for her child someone in her office told her that Head Start was opening in her community and needed volunteers. Read More

Create Sustainable Practices

in early childhood health, nutrition, mental health, and disabilities services that lead to lifelong well-being. Read More

Be A Recognized Model

in the field of early childhood education by providing children with linguistic, social-emotional, cognitive, and other developmental competencies that are the building blocks fo... Read More

Our Goal

The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of “social competence” to children and their families.

Our Mission

We provide children and their families with quality childhood development programs and integrated support services.

Our Vision

Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) is the catalyst that launches children and their families to a brighter future.

Dear OCHS Family and Community Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to welcome Colleen Versteeg as the new Executive Director of Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS). The Board of Directors, the Policy Council and the Administration for Children and Families approved her in this position during the final weeks of December 2009, following a six-month, nation-wide search. A rigorous interview process was conducted by board members, OCHS staff and community members.

Ms. Versteeg has been part of Orange County Head Start since 2002, and served as the Delegate Director for Santa Ana Unified School District prior to her role as Division Director with our agency. She is the first internal candidate to assume the Executive Director role here at OCHS.

Ms. Versteeg has the expertise and, most importantly, a passion for serving the needs of our children, their families and the community. The Board of Directors (BOD) is confident in Ms. Versteeg’s demonstrated abilities to lead this agency and provide high quality early childhood development programs.

Best wishes for the coming year. The BOD and I are truly grateful for the fine work done by our outstanding staff. We know that you will support Colleen in her new role and continue to make OCHS the model for early childhood education.

Paul Ramirez
Chair
OCHS Board of Directors

I am honored and privileged to have been chosen as the Executive Director of Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS). During my time with OCHS I have witnessed and always been impressed by the staff's dedication to children and families. It is my absolute pleasure to have been chosen to work with, and lead, such a fantastic team.

This is an exciting time for OCHS and our Delegate Agencies, as we acknowledge and participate in changing trends, develop new priorities, work with new partners, implement Early Head Start expansion and open new centers.

Each of these challenges allows us to rise to the occasion, so that Orange County’s children and families continue to receive high quality, integrated services.

Over the next several months the Board and Policy Council, along with our Parents and Staff will be reviewing and evaluating our services, operations, and partnerships to plan for the future. We will continue to work as a dedicated team that is committed to enhancing the OCHS mission, vision, and guiding principles. I welcome the challenges and opportunities ahead, and encourage your ideas, feedback, and collaboration as we shape the future of Orange County Head Start.

Colleen Versteeg
Executive Director