Here at NINOS, Inc., we help prepare children for their time in school. We seek to support children and their parents through education, nutritional assistance, and healthcare assistance. Our services are meant to compensate for lacking resources for low-income and disabled children.
We work to support child well-being by providing the following services:
- Health and Nutritional Assessments
- Medical and Dental Follow-Ups
- Pre and Post Natal Education for Pregnant Women
- Nutritional Meals & Snacks
- The Least Restrictive Environment for Children with Disabilities
- Individualized Infant, Toddler and Pre-School “School Readiness”
- Transportation (where available)
Applying for Assistance
We accept applications from pregnant women, children, and children with disabilities under 4 years old. When applying, parents will need to provide proof of income. You will need to include one of the following types of documentation in your application:
- 1040 Signed
- Written Statement form Employer Written Statement form Employer
- Attorney General’s Letter
- Financial Aid Award Letter
- Unemployment Comp
- Workman’s Comp
- Current Check Stub (last 3)
- W-2 Forms
About Children’s Services
Children Services is responsible for the program’s center-based practices and system to promote school readiness of participating children, birth to five, including dual language learners and children with disabilities. The child development system is comprised of establishing, tracking, using, and reporting school readiness goals.
School readiness goals are in place that support development in the five essential domains described in the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, and align to both the Texas Early Learning and Prekindergarten guidelines.
Our Tools and Systems
The Learning Accomplishment Profile (LAP) system is used to determine the children’s developmental progress three times a year. The assessment data is collected using the Red-e-Learner web-based software to analyze, aggregate school readiness data, and track individual child progress. In addition, generated reports highlight the progress of the program’s comprehensive school readiness goals.
The Curriculum Management System (CMS) is developmentally appropriate and linguistically appropriate to address the large Hispanic population of this service area who are dual language learners. The CMS integrates an array of research-based resources to implement instructional practices and create classroom settings to provide opportunities for children to interact and demonstrate their abilities, skills, and knowledge in any language.
The CMS intentionally focuses on children’s progress in the five domains and includes strategies for individualizing for each child. The program uses data from teacher observations, LAP child assessment reports, as well as insight from parents and provisions for related services, to determine how best to respond to each child’s individual characteristics, strengths, and needs.
Our Ongoing Mission of Transparency and Support
Through ongoing monitoring, the Children Services Content staff can ensure that practices and systems for continuous improvement are in place to provide effective services necessary to promote the school readiness of all children. Information regarding the program’s progress in achieving school readiness goals is shared with parents and community partners through conferences, home visits, school readiness meetings, and program publications.
NINOS, Inc. Head Start continues to be a comprehensive child development program, and has actively entered the “era” of increased accountability and challenges of improving the quality of educational experiences. Through a shared vision of “Raising Engagement and Enhancing Lifelong Learning for Young Children,” the program engages school, family, and community partnerships to support young children’s first steps by enhancing their social and school readiness competence. The vision embraces the NINOS’ mission of Creating a Brighter Future for our Children and “La Familia.”
Our Anti-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of NINOS, Inc. that no person shall be subject to discrimination because of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory handicap. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Filing a Discrimination Complaint
If you feel you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
