Free Community Event is Held in Conjunction with Week of the Young Child and is Aimed to Promote the Healthy Development of Young Children

Orange County Head Start hosts their second annual Family Festival at Atlantis Park in Garden Grove on Saturday, April 25 from noon - 4:00 p.m. Orange County Head Start marks 30 years of serving young children with preschool programs with this free community event in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children 'Week of the Young Child' (April 19-25). Approximately 100 community-based organizations will participate with information booths, carnival games and give-a-ways geared towards families with young children.

Event Chair/Head Start Board Member and Director of Outreach of Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove Paul Ramirez says, "As the premier early childhood education program for the federal government, Orange County Head Start is proud to partner with community organizations to support young children and provide families with expanded resources for health and wellness." He also stressed that healthy diets and lifestyles are a major focus for Head Start families and will be promoted at the Family Festival through healthy food give-a-ways and information about health services, behavioral issues and physical activity for young children.

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen will make a brief presentation and other speakers and guests include Lucía Palacios, Executive Director of Orange County Head Start, Inc., City of Garden Grove Mayor William Dalton and Councilman Andrew Do.

Participating organizations and sponsors include (SEED) Services for Early Education & Development, Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children, California Preschool Instructional Network, USC Department of Pharmacy, The County of Orange, City of Garden Grove and Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove and the City of Garden Grove.

Atlantis Park is located at 13630 Atlantis Way in Garden Grove and parking is free. For more information about Orange County Head Start or the Family Festival, call 714.241.8920 or visit www.ochsinc.org.

Orange County Head Start is a comprehensive educational program offering half and full-day preschool and early childhood development programs to low income families. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1979, Orange County Head Start, Inc. receives grants to service approximately 4000 children in Orange County and Hawaiian Gardens. Founded in 1964 nationally, Head Start began as a federally sponsored preschool program for low-income children and has since grown to service the diverse health and social service needs of families and children from birth to age five.