Lutheran Services FloridaDuval
Hillsborough
Pinellas
Palm Beach
Belle Glades (PEPPI)
Every child deserves the best start she or he can have, no matter their circumstances. That’s why Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) has, for more than 30 years, provided the highest quality early childhood education to children who otherwise might have been left behind.
The first five years of a child’s life are absolutely essential in preparing her or him for a healthy, happy, and successful future. When children receive the quality early childhood education they deserve, not only do children fare better, but communities do, too.
LSF has partnered with Head Start to provide quality early childhood education to children in Duval, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Palm Beach and Belle Glade (PEPPI).
LSF’s commitment to early childhood education is simple: to enhance the development of very young children between birth and five years of age (the most critical time of growth) and to promote healthy family functioning.
As part of LSF’s school readiness goals, we have set the expectation that over 80% of the children we serve will be working at Kindergarten level in each domain before entering Kindergarten.
LSF promotes school readiness by
providing developmentally appropriate
learning experiences based on the
individual needs of the children in
preparation for Kindergarten. As part of
LSF’s school readiness goals, we have
set the expectation that over 80% of
the children we serve will be working at
Kindergarten level in each domain
before entering Kindergarten.
LSF ACTIVELY PROVIDES SUPPORT IN ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH FINDING MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE.
LSF ACTIVELY PROVIDES SUPPORT IN THE
FOLLOWING AREAS:
• Assisting families with finding medical and dental care
• Locating sources of funding for health and dental services
• Offering health promotion and training
opportunities for parents, including information on child health, nutrition, and development
LSF PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND DISSABILITIES SERVICES PLANS TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.
LSF PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM:
• Developmental screenings are provided to identify areas of concern regarding the child’s developmental, sensory, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills.
• The Disabilities Service Plan provides strategies for meeting the specific needs of all children with disabilities. The plan provides procedures for screenings, referrals for evaluations, accessibility to facilities, and plans to provide special equipment/materials.
• Comprehensive mental health services are provided for children, families and staff.
Parents are pivotal in the success of their children’s futures and to the success of our early childhood programs. Parents take an active role in helping to support and continue learning well beyond the classroom. Parents participate in school activities, volunteer in classrooms, attend special events and trips and assist with ongoing operations in service as committee and board members.
If you desire to join one of our parent engagement programs, please contact the main LSF Head Start office in your county or contact your Family and Community Engagement Specialists.
is a fatherhood involvement initiative program for the male staff, fathers or male figure that have a positive impact within our Head Start families.
The purpose of this initiative is to increase parent/guardian involvement in the Head Start program through center and local program activities that encourages positive child development. This initiative will also help the families by providing resources to participants and their families while helping them understand the importance of father involvement in a child’s life especially in the early development stages.
seeks to strengthen, support, and encourage program participants to be resourceful, self reliant, and goal oriented. We acknowledge that women fill very important roles in their households and we will equip them with skills and resources to enhance their lives.
Building a successful future requires preparation, knowledge, and accessibility. L.O.V.E. will provide just that!
The program seeks to achieve its’ objective by enlisting community support, providing interactive workshops, family focused fellowship, and volunteer opportunities. It is our desire to deliver relevant material to participants and empower them to take an active role in program planning and implementation
