CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES ENROLLED IN AN ISOLATED, MOUNTAIN HEAD START PROGRAM: Managing Social Capital

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive study was to identify the characteristics of families who chose to enroll their children in a Head Start program. Twenty families were asked questions about their level of education, financial assistance, driving distances to healthcare, and characteristics of their neighborhood. Families were asked about the educational aspirations they have for their children and the quality of their schools. How they felt about certain characteristics of their neighborhood, (respect for authority and unemployment) were not associated with families' willingness to be involved in Head Start activities or influence how they felt about their schools (p < .05). They were not involved in religious, political, or other community based organizations. For the parents who wanted their children to complete college, 80% had a high school education or less.