GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION Head Start/Early Head Start Support Services Monthly Narrative March 2026 LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES: ▪
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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) The February 2026 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) claim was completed and submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for reimbursement. In February there were 19 food service days for the month. There were 15 eligible sites and 1,385 eligible children. The number of meals provided: 5,347 breakfasts; 5,420 lunches and 19,833 PM snacks served. Expected reimbursement for the month is $64,728.30. Two of our newest Head Start centers are eligible for CACFP per receipt of the Child Care License, DeAnda & Reynolds. Program year 2026 Administrative and Center Review of Child and Adult Care Food Program – The Program Year 2026 Administrative and Center Review for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) was held with Lead Reviewer, Ms. Kimberly Friedman. She visited Early Head Start, Pasadena Head Start and the Corporate Office. There were no findings. Technical Assistance was provided. March Story Time – Ms. Kathy L. Johnson, Assistant Director Head Start & Early Head Start - Ms. Kathy L. Johnson, Assistant Director of Head Start and Early Head Start, read to the children and staff, featuring Buckaroo Beau Goes to the Rodeo by Kacy Burke in celebration of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The story follows Buckaroo Beau as he prepares for and participates in his first rodeo, highlighting themes of preparation, courage, and overcoming fear. The activity supported early literacy development while connecting learning to a culturally relevant community. The GCCSA Team continue to plan for an exciting literacy event for children and their families to be held in May. They also continue to prepare for the upcoming Head Start FA2 review. Community Engagement and Advisory Participation The Head Start/Early Head Start Assistant Director serves on the Houston City College Early Childhood Advisory Board and attended the bi-annual meeting this month, supporting ongoing collaboration and alignment with early childhood education initiatives.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT (CD): ▪ Early Head Start themes taught this month Infants: Teachers implemented the Activity Trackers Card to plan activities according to each child’s individual need in both Infant classrooms. Threes: Theme 7- “On the Go”- Week 1- Places Kids Go- Kids are on the move from sunrise to sunset. They walk, run, dance, and jump. With a bit of practice, they will gallop. hop, and skip. This week the children will learn about the ways their bodies can move. Week 2- “Wheels” - This week the children will continue learning about ways they move but will turn their attention toward things with wheels. We will discuss all the ways wheels help us move and do work. Week 3- Wings- This week the children will explore traveling with wings. We will talk about airplanes, helicopters, and flying animals. We will also try to imagine the view from up high. Week 4- This week the children will explore traveling on water. We will talk about sea life. Toddlers: Theme- 6 “Shapes and Sizes” - Week 2- Squares- This week the children will learn about squares. The focus is on recognition. Even though the teachers and children will count the sides and corners, the children are not expected to know this information. It is simply exposure. Week 3Triangles- This week the children will learn about triangles. Children often learn to recognize them easily because they have a distinct appearance. Week 4- Hearts and Stars- This week the children will learn about hearts and stars. March 2026 Monthly Report
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