Hidalgo County Head Start Program Home

In a moment of pride and celebration, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court presented a formal proclamation on Sept 29, 2025 to the Hidalgo County Head Start Program, recognizing its outstanding achievement in receiving the National Program of Excellence Award and Accreditation!
This honor highlights the program’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds through innovative, evidence-based practices that support the whole child physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
With only 12 programs selected out of nearly 1,600 nationwide, Hidalgo County’s Head Start stands tall as a national leader in early childhood education.
The Proclamation Ceremony was attended by a wonderful gathering of Department Directors, Campus Directors, Policy Council Members, and members of the community, all united in celebration of this outstanding achievement.
Congratulations, Head Start! Your dedication continues to inspire and uplift our future generations!

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Hidalgo County Head Start Program held its annual Parent Leadership Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton in McAllen, Texas. The event was coordinated by the Family Services Department and brought together parent leaders from across the county.
Parents elected to serve in leadership roles: President, Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Alternates from each Head Start campus were invited to participate. During the conference, one representative from each of the six designated areas (Area I through Area VI) was selected to serve on the Policy Council.
The Policy Council plays a vital role in the governance of the Head Start Program. Members meet monthly or more often if needed to review and provide input on key decisions related to budgeting, staffing, and program operations. Their involvement ensures that parent voices remain at the heart of Head Start’s mission and decision-making process.

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program has been awarded the prestigious Program of Excellence (POE) Award and Accreditation by the National Head Start Association (NHSA). This recognition, valid for a five-year term, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon Head Start programs nationwide.
Accreditation is granted to programs that demonstrate the highest standards in program management, service delivery, and commitment to continuous improvement. By achieving this designation, Hidalgo County Head Start has shown its dedication to providing high-quality, comprehensive services that support the development and well-being of young children and their families.
Out of approximately 1,600 Head Start programs across the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, only 12 programs are selected annually for this distinguished recognition. Remarkably, Hidalgo County Head Start is the first Texas program to receive the POE Award in nearly 20 years.
“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive the Program of Excellence Award,” said Hidalgo County Head Start Program Executive Director Irma Peña. “Our motivation for excellence comes from the children and families we are privileged to serve. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and will continue to strive for excellence well beyond the term of this accreditation.”
The five-year accreditation follows a rigorous peer-review process, during which programs must demonstrate their ability to deliver measurable, accountable, and high-quality services across all areas of operation.
“We could not be more proud of our Head Start team for earning this distinguished recognition,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “This award reflects their unwavering dedication to the children and families of Hidalgo County. To be one of only 12 programs in the nation, and the first in Texas in nearly two decades, is a remarkable achievement that highlights the impact and quality of services Head Start provides to our community every day.”
Hidalgo County Head Start provides a full range of services — including education, disability support, health, nutrition, mental health, and family services — to children from birth to age five. For more than 40 years, the program has evolved through the use of evidence-based practices and innovative teaching methods, creating safe, nurturing environments that foster physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth in young children.

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program is proud to maintain strong, year-round collaborations with a wide range of local agencies to provide essential services to the children and families we serve. One of the key ways we foster these partnerships is through our regularly held Network Meetings.
These meetings offer a valuable platform for community agencies to present their services directly to our Family Service Workers (FSWs), who are stationed at each Head Start campus. FSWs play a vital role in supporting families by helping them set and achieve meaningful goals in areas such as housing, healthcare, public assistance, food security, and parenting.
Beyond goal-setting, FSWs assist families in developing personalized action plans and contribute significantly to the success of our Head Start and Early Head Start programs through active involvement in recruitment and enrollment efforts.
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, a Network Meeting was held at Fellowship Baptist Hall in Edinburg, Texas. The event brought together agency representatives and Head Start staff to share resources, strengthen relationships, and continue building a supportive network for families across Hidalgo County.

On August 28, 2025, Superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez, along with board members and Head Start administrators Dr. Nereyda Cantu, Marissa Reyes, and Sonia Casas, walked through the former Donna Head Start facility to review and discuss plans for its transformation into the new Donna Early Head Start Academy.
It is a collaboration and commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities for its youngest learners. The new Academy is scheduled to open in January 2026 and will serve children from birth to three years old. It will offer a nurturing, developmentally focused environment designed to support early learning, social-emotional growth, and family engagement.
Donna ISD and Head Start are working diligently to ensure the facility meets the needs of both students and families. This initiative reflects a dedication to investing in the future of its community by laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
More updates will be shared as the opening date approaches, and families interested in enrollment are encouraged to stay connected through the district and Head Start’s social media platforms.