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The Hidalgo County Head Start Program proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Mission Early Head Start Academy on November 10th. The academy is dedicated to supporting children and families during the most critical stages of development.
Located in Mission, Texas, the Mission Early Head Start Academy was created to serve infants as young as six weeks through three years of age while also providing comprehensive services for pregnant teens. The academy offers high-quality early childhood education, health and wellness supports, family engagement opportunities, and a variety of wraparound services designed to strengthen children and families.
The academy reflects the organization's ongoing mission to empower families and ensure that children have the strong educational foundation they need to thrive. By investing in early childhood development, Hidalgo County Head Start continues to create pathways for lifelong learning and success.
Leading this initiative are Ms. Irma Peña, Executive Director of Hidalgo County Head Start Program; Ms. Sonia Casas, Early Head Start Director; and Ms. Belinda De Belle Guzman, Campus Director of the Mission Early Head Start Academy. Their dedication and vision have helped bring this transformative project to life for the Mission community.
Community leaders, educators, partners, families, and local supporters gathered for the Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the official opening of the academy and celebrate this important advancement in early childhood education.
More than the opening of a new facility, the Mission Early Head Start Academy represents new opportunities, stronger family support systems, and brighter futures for the children and families it serves. As enrollment begins and services expand, the academy stands as a lasting investment in the well-being and success of future generations throughout Mission and Hidalgo County.

As part of Head Start Awareness Month, Emma Lopez, a Pre-K 3 student from Edinburg North Head Start Academy, proudly led the Pledge of Allegiance during a recent Commissioners Court meeting. Her participation was a shining example of the confidence, leadership, and school readiness skills fostered through the Head Start program.

Emma was accompanied by her mother, Mileydi Dominguez, teacher Dulce Almazan, and Campus Director Dr. Rolinda Park, who were present to support and celebrate this special moment.

Head Start Awareness Month provides an opportunity to recognize the lasting impact Head Start has on children, families, and communities. By providing high-quality early childhood education, family engagement opportunities, health services, and school readiness support, Head Start helps children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

We are proud of Emma for representing Edinburg North Head Start Academy and showcasing the bright future that begins with Head Start.

From October 23-25, 2026, Head Start leaders, staff, and newly elected Policy Council members gathered at beautiful South Padre Island for the annual Governance Leadership Conference. This year’s pirate-themed event combined professional development, leadership training, and family-friendly fun, creating an engaging experience for participants of all ages.

The conference provided an opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of the Head Start program while building meaningful connections with fellow leaders and representatives. A variety of workshops and presentations covered essential topics, including the Head Start Program Overview, Conference Framework, the Importance of Team Building, Head Start Essentials and ERSEA Training, as well as informative departmental presentations led by program officers and directors.

Newly elected Policy Council members participated in interactive sessions focused on governance, leadership, and their roles and responsibilities within the organization. Training on the Governance Structure and Bylaws equipped members with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively represent families and support the program’s mission throughout the 2026-2027 program year.

The pirate theme added an extra layer of excitement to the conference, with staff embracing the spirit of the event by dressing as colorful pirates and "scallywags." Families also joined in the fun as children participated in a scavenger hunt filled with adventure, laughter, and teamwork.

Beyond the workshops and activities, the conference fostered collaboration and relationship-building among Policy Council members and Head Start staff. As new partnerships were formed and ideas were shared, attendees left inspired and prepared to work together in advancing the success of children and families across the communities Head Start serves.

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program welcomed parent leaders to its annual Parent Leadership Conference held on September 26th. The conference brought together parent representatives from each Head Start Academy for a day of learning, leadership development, and civic participation as they took part in the election of the 2026-2027 Policy Council.

The event highlighted the vital role parents play in shaping the success of the Head Start program. Through interactive training sessions led by Family Services staff, participants gained valuable insight into the responsibilities of Policy Council members and the important role the council serves in guiding program policies, supporting quality services, and representing the voices of families.

Administrative staff also joined the conference to support and encourage parent leaders as they prepared to take on their new responsibilities. Executive Director Irma Peña welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation for their dedication to family engagement and their commitment to serving as advocates for children and families throughout Hidalgo County.

The newly elected Policy Council members will work collaboratively with Head Start leadership to help ensure the program continues to meet the needs of children and families while upholding the mission of providing high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services.

2026-2027 Policy Council Representatives
Area I: Rosa Guerrero
Area II: Elisa Loera
Area III: Alma Sanchez
Area IV: Ana Maldonado
Area V: Ana Laura Salazar
Area VI: Israel Ruiz

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program congratulates these parent leaders and thanks all conference participants for their dedication to strengthening family engagement and helping build brighter futures for the children and families we serve. Through their leadership and commitment, these representatives will play an important role in ensuring that parent voices remain at the heart of Head Start decision-making.

The Parent Leadership conference was held at the DoubleTree Suites in McAllen.

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program proudly welcomed hundreds of staff members to the UTRGV Performing Arts Building on August 3-4 for its Annual Training, officially launching the 2026-2027 school year. Guided by the Head Start Recognition Program of Excellence framework, the two-day event brought together employees from across the program to learn, reconnect, and strengthen their commitment to providing exceptional services to children and families throughout Hidalgo County.

The celebration began with HCHSP's Parade of Academies, featuring an energetic performance by the McAllen High School Mighty Bulldog Drumline that set an inspiring tone for the event. Staff members also enjoyed outstanding cultural presentations by Raíces de Oro from Thigpen-Zavala Elementary and the award-winning Mariachi Azteca from Rowe High School, showcasing the rich talent and traditions of our local school communities.

A memorable highlight of the training was a keynote presentation by Kevin Carnes, retired President of Lakeshore Learning Materials and longtime advocate for Head Start and early childhood education. His message challenged and encouraged staff to continue making a lasting impact through their dedication to educational excellence and service.

Throughout the training, participants engaged in professional development sessions designed to strengthen knowledge, foster growth, and reinforce the program's mission. As the new school year begins, HCHSP staff remain united in their commitment to excellence, ensuring every child and family receives the highest quality support and opportunities for success.