The pre-schoolers may not have realized who Yvette Sanchez Fuentes was when she walked through the classroom doors of the Children’s Home Society of Washington’s Highline Early Learning Center at Highline Community College, sat down at a child-sized table, played with them and read to them. But the kids seemed to have as much fun with her as they would with any other patient grown-up.

Appointed by President Obama, Ms. Sanchez Fuentes is the National Director, Office of Head Start, with the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is in town for an Office of Headstart Region X Conference is this week. (There are 12 regions nationally.) In addition to Washington State, Region X supports children and families in Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon. About half of the 54 or so children at the center, which is partnered with the college, are enrolled in Head Start, from newborns to "waddlers", those 1 to 2 years old, to pre-K.

Head Start began as part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society campaign in 1964. On a side note, many in our area knew the program's founder, West Seattle resident Jule Meyer Sugarman (September 23, 1927 – November 2, 2010.) He led the program for its first five years. He was the president of the Alki Community Council when he passed away.

The National Head Start Association headquarters in Washington State is in Bellevue. About 13,000 children are served in our state.

The program has received some controversial press lately, and criticism from budget watchers nationally. The average annual cost per pre-schooler in the program is $7,500 to $8,000, and for infants and toddlers, $11,000. These costs vary by state.

"Head Start works," Ms. Sanchez Fuentes told the Highline TImes. "Anybody who doesn't believe that should talk to families about the difference that Head Start makes for them, and visit these facilities. We know when they go into the public school system they still have many of the abilities that they got from Head Start, including social skills like being able to sit still, to communicate with other children. We've increased the work we do with local schools to make sure local Head Start programs and schools are connecting to make an easier transition for schools and families."

Helping facilitate the visit was Bellevue-based Joel Ryan, Executive Director, Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAL, the Early Childhood and Education Assistance Program.

"What you won't see in the classroom are social services some of their families rely upon," Ryan said of the Head Start kids, some romping about, some playing with plastic food items and other learning tools in the spacious, state-of-the-art classroom. "Many are homeless, living in cars, and are in really difficult situations. Head Start makes sure they have a stable living environment.

"They help find housing, emergency food, and there is extensive health screening," he added. "Issues with dental care are addressed, and referred out. A good portion of their parents are working, and many are involved and volunteer in classrooms and in shaping the program. Parents have a strong voice in the whole experience.

"The vast majority of studies show that when you get a high quality early learning experience like Head Start taxpayers save money by a reduction in social services," he said. "Head Start can only do so much. It gives them a chance to succeed. Ultimately its a full partnership with head Start, schools, parents, all the various players in the community. It's not a silver bullet, but it's a good start."