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Health and Nutrition

The learning process is diminished when a child is hungry or unhealthy. Head Start strongly believes that a child must be healthy in order to learn.

We create healthy children through:
Daily nutritious meals & snacks
Growth measurements
Dental exams
Health education
Immunizations/shots
TB testing
Physical exams
Weight management support
Hearing & vision screenings
Tests for lead poisoning & anemia
Mental health support & counseling
And more!

We partner with medical professionals to ensure each child receives a ‘Head Start’ to live a healthy life. We support families to meet the needs of any follow-up treatments necessary.

We're Here To Help

Our mission is to empower children and families to develop positive skills to meet life's challenges.

"Our experience with Head Start has been phenomenal. They have made us feel welcome and comfortable. They have also provided us with much-needed clothing items and resources."
-Foster Parent
"Thank you so much for your generous food donation to the Crisis Food Center. The items you sent us will help so much in our mission to supply healthy foods to our clients. We truly appreciate your efforts."
-Board & StaffCrisis Food Center
"AMAZING!!! I have one child that's center based and one that's about to be home based. All the staff is wonderful with the children and my daughter has so much fun. She loves to tell me what they did that day. I love to see her love school."
Alicia C.
"I think this is an absolutely wonderful program with an excellent curriculum and staff at the GC South location! I'm a very proud supporter and I'm happy to also be a part of it as a parent. I love the meetings we have and wish more parents could make it to them. As a whole, I believe we can make our children just as proud of us as we are of them. It's truly ALL about the betterment of our children and their education!"
Scott H.
"My greatest regret is not getting involved earlier with Riverbend."
Andrea
“I was overjoyed when I saw the bright smiles on the faces of the children at Riverbend Head Start. They do such a great job of helping to educate children and motivating parents so they no longer live in poverty. I just can't imagine a child so young experiencing the struggles they deal with, but I'm happy they have Riverbend Head Start to help.”
Shirley E.
“My children will have their best chance at success because of Riverbend Head Start.”
Megan C.
“As a single father of twin toddlers, Riverbend Head Start fills the gap of their mother. I’m grateful I chose Riverbend Head Start for early childhood education.”
William K.
“I am forever grateful to Riverbend Head Start for empowering me to be the very best advocate for my child not only now, but for the rest of my life."
Robert J.
“Riverbend Head Start has played a major role in helping me to better understand my child’s needs, and recognizing where she is, and where she should developmentally. So, when you ask, what does Head Start mean to me? Well, it means EVERYTHING!”
Lisa W.

Riverbend Head Start & Family Services
550 Landmarks Blvd., 3rd Fl.Alton, IL 62002
P: 618-463-5946

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This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH011888 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

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