Family Engagement
PACT encourages family involvement at all levels of the program. Volunteer opportunities include...
PACT Policy Council Meeting
Next Policy Council meeting is Thursday March 21st .
6:00 in Quincy at Tony's Too.
Board of Directors Meeting
Click the button below to view the Board Meeting Schedule
Parent & Staff Library
Parent and Child Together (PACT) connects families with community services and assists families in achieving personal and family goals. At our Central Office, we have a Resource Library ...
Annual Report
Job Openings
Employment opportunities will be posted as they occur
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* Family Engagement
* PACT Policy Council Meeting
* Board of Directors Meeting
* Parent & Staff Library
* Annual Report
* Job Openings
## Mission Statement
The mission of Parent and Child Together (PACT) for West Central Illinois is to provide a high quality comprehensive program of education, health, and social services to children and their families, developing life-long learners.
Enter Child's Application
Make a Referral
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* Strategic Plan
  PACT’s Strategic Planning Process for our new plan began in Summer 2022, with a dedicated group of staff, representing agency-wide positions. This group put forward new goals and objectives for Policy Council and Board approval early in 2023. Work on the goals (by committees) will be reviewed by the Steering Committee quarterly and reported annually.
* School Readiness Goals & Outcomes
  The school readiness goals for the children’s outcomes are aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and the Illinois Early Learning Development Standards.
* Home Based Option
  Teachers visit assigned families once a week for 90 minutes. The parent is viewed as the primary educator of the child, using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum. Home Based services are supplemented by classroom socialization activities held twice a month for three hours.
* Center Based Option
  PACT Head Start centers are located in Pittsfield, Beardstown, Macomb, Carthage and Camp Point. Classrooms services range from 3 1/2 hour sessions to 7 1/2 hour sessions. Family Advocates provide social service and information on health needs/services in the home to families on a regular basis.
PACT believes that parents are their children's first and most important teacher
* Parent Orientation 2021
  1
  Resource Directory
  2
  Policy Council
  3
  Family Engagement
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  5
* By-Laws
  Materials
  Training Info
### Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events.
## Partners
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## Success Stories and Feedback
 (We) consider ourselves very lucky to have had (teacher’s name) and her support with schooling and our home lives.
 The teachers were wonderful in educating (child’s name) and supportive at times when needed. (He) always looks forward to seeing his teacher and the activities to come…
 (Child’s name) has enjoyed his time with the teachers he has seen in the year he has been with PACT. Thank you all for everything you do for him.
 Thank you to (teachers) and everyone for making (child’s name) so happy and for all the things he’s learned. He loves school so much and I know he has fun and does great. PACT should be everywhere.
 I think (PACT) is a great program and it has helped my kids develop a lot. And the services that I have (received) has helped my family a lot also.
 Staff is great!!!
 My daughter is very advanced and her teachers come up with new ideas to challenge her
 My child enjoys going to PACT.
 The PACT (program) is safe and (the) best place for my children.
 PACT is a very good place for children under 5 to (attend). I want to say a big thank you to all the teachers and staff of PACT Head Start. You are wonderful.
 It is a laudable program and I really appreciate the care and love my daughter is shown in the school.
 I think PACT provides a good program for the children and their families. I just try to make a lot of the activities.
 I think it is a great program and it has helped my kids develop a lot. And the services that I have been helped with has helped my family a lot also.
 I think PACT is doing a fantastic job caring and educating my son
 I’m really grateful for all the staff and faculty at PACT. You all have helped my son and my family. Thank you!
 Everyone does a great job. All the teachers are wonderful as well as the advocates.
 We feel our child has been very well cared for in all the rooms she has been in while attending PACT.
 I love that my (child) enjoys coming here every day and learning what he/she needs to grow and develop.
 PACT has helped (child’s name) get school readiness skills. He/she now knows all her letters, shapes, and colors. She is also talking better and following directions better.
 ©
2019 - 2025
PACT, Parent & Child Together for West Central Illinois
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This position is full-time, full year. Starting pay is $19.54 per hour.
Qualifications include:
Requires the commitment to Parents as educators of their own children.
Requires educational equivalent completion of the 12th grade and be at least 19 years of age.
Requires an Associate Degree or higher or a Child Development Associate (CDA) within 18 months from date of employment. If employee has a degree not related to Early Childhood, they must take a minimum of four classes in Child Growth & Development.
Requires two years of supervised experience working with children in early childhood education if employee does not have a 2 year degree or 60 credit hours in ECE or related field (Parents as Teachers Certification requirement).
Requires ability to complete evening and/or weekend home visits in order to accommodate parent needs and maintain enrollment.
Requires the ability to travel area wide, and to access the homes of clients and socialization sites within a designated territory. Requires reliable transportation, a valid Illinois drivers’ license and proof of agency requirements for automobile insurance.
To apply, please submit letter of interest, resume, and transcripts to HR at  or Email to: hr@pactheadstart.com. An online application is also available on PACT’s website, www.pactheadstart.com, under the ‘Job Openings’ tab.  EOE
PACT for West Central IL is seeking applicants for Early Head Start Center-Based Teachers for our Center in Quincy. These are full-time positions, Monday through Friday, year-round.  Benefits include 14 paid holidays, vacation days, personal leave, sick time, 2-week winter break, life insurance, and affordable health, vision, and dental insurance. Starting pay is 19.54 per hour, with extra for college degree. Qualifications include:
A)          Must be 19 years of age or older, and
B)          Have Associate, Bachelor, or an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education and be trained (or have equivalent coursework) with a focus on infant/toddler development; or
C)          Have a degree in a related field and 21 hours in Early Childhood with experience teaching infants & toddlers and be trained (or have equivalent coursework) with a focus on infant/toddler development: or
D)          Completion of the Infant/Toddler credentialing program of the CDA National Credentialing Award System with a current credential as an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate, completion of 12 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development from birth to age 6, and proof of two years (3120 clock hours) child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center.
To apply, please submit letter of interest, resume, and transcripts to HR at  or Email to: hr@pactheadstart.com. An online application is also available on PACT’s website, www.pactheadstart.com, under the ‘Job Openings’ tab.  EOE
PACT for West Central IL is seeking applicants for Head Start Center-Based Teachers for our Center in Camp Point. These are full-time positions, Monday through Friday, 42 weeks per year.  Benefits include 14 paid holidays, vacation days, personal leave, sick time, 2-week winter break, life insurance, and affordable health, vision, and dental insurance. Starting pay is $20.49 per hour, with extra for college degree. Qualifications include:
A) Must be 19 years of age or older
B) Must have an Associate, Bachelor, or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education
OR
C) a degree in a related field and 21 hours in Early Childhood with experience teaching preschool children
D) A BA/BS degree and be admitted into Teach For America program
To apply, please submit letter of interest, resume, and transcripts to HR at  or Email to: hr@pactheadstart.com. An online application is also available here: 
EOE
PACT for West Central IL is seeking applicants for Early Head Start Center-Based Teachers for our Center in Camp Point. These are full-time positions, Monday through Friday, year-round.  Benefits include 14 paid holidays, vacation days, personal leave, sick time, 2-week winter break, life insurance, and affordable health, vision, and dental insurance. Starting pay is 19.54 per hour, with extra for college degree. Qualifications include:
We are always looking for dependable workers, who love spending time with children, to work in a Substitute capacity. If you are interested in a Substitute position with PACT, or would like more information, contact the Site Supervisor at your local Center.
– Macomb at 320 University Drive, Macomb, IL Phone: (309) 209-2095 Ask for Angela Vera
– Pittsfield at 1310 W. Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL Phone: 217-285-2234. Ask for Jennifer Alred.
– Camp Point at 2090 Highway 24, Camp Point, IL Phone: 217-593-6777. Ask for Kristin Ripperda.
– Beardstown at 909 W. 12th Street, Beardstown, IL Phone: 217-323-9422. Ask for Alisa Horton.
## General Inquiry Contact Form
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## Family Engagement
***We believe that parent’s are their child’s first and most important teacher and by working together we can further the vision and intent of the agency’s mission.***
PACT encourages family involvement at all levels of the program. Volunteer opportunities include:
 from  on .
* Making Classroom Materials
* Cleaning
* Small Repairs
* Field Trip Aide
* Classroom Aide
* Story Teller/Book Reader
* Bus Monitor
* Kitchen Aide
* Board Member
* Policy Council Member
* Parent Committee Member
* And many more opportunities…
We have an open door policy and families are welcome to observe or volunteer in classrooms or socialization at any time.
## Parent and Staff Resource Library
Parent and Child Together (PACT) connects families with community services and assists families in achieving personal and family goals. At our Central Office, we have a Resource Library composed of books, DVDs, and other materials available for parents and staff to check out information on a variety of topics to meet their needs. Resources can be check out for a period of two weeks. To check out one of these resources, please contact your Family Advocate or Home-Based Teacher.
## Annual Report
PACT’s annual report is published each year in November. Any questions concerning information contained in the annual report may be directed to Sara Mixer, Executive Director.
## Making Referrals
#
To make a referral, use the form below or call 1-800-443-7228.
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Living Address:
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Mailing Address:
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## How to Help
## Inkind Match Required
PACT receives grant funding from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to operate Head Start and Early Head Start.  The funding requires a 20% inkind match through donated funds, space, materials, volunteer hours, and services from the communities where services are provided.  If PACT does not receive the 20% match, we cannot expend all of our funds and may not be able to provide all of our services.
## How You Can Help
#### Cash Donations
PACT is a not-for-profit 501C-3 organization, therefore donations are tax deductible.  You may specify that your donation be used for a specific purpose, such as children’s books for a particular center, to purchase playground equipment, or for hats and gloves for children to use during outdoor play. If you are interested in knowing what some of our needs are, please 
#### Volunteer Hours
Both program parents and community members are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer in our program.  PACT volunteer hours are “valued” at a dollar amount and are counted as part of the inkind match from the local community.  There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities available in our agency.  Please review theand call our Mt. Sterling Office or your local center to volunteer.
## Strategic Plan
PACT’s Strategic Planning Process for our new plan began in Summer 2022, with a dedicated group of staff, representing agency-wide positions. This group put forward new goals and objectives for Policy Council and Board approval early in 2023. Work on the goals (by committees) will be reviewed by the Steering Committee quarterly and reported annually.
## School Readiness Goals & Outcomes
The school readiness goals for the children’s outcomes are aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and the Illinois Early Learning Development Standards. They were developed in cooperation with the school districts in PACT’s eight county service area. PACT assesses the development of the Head Start and Early Head Start children at least 3 times a year, using the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment system.
## Home Based Option
###
Teachers visit assigned families once a week for 90 minutes.  The parent is viewed as the primary educator of the child, using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum.  Home Based Services are supplemented by classroom socialization activities held twice a month for two hours.
Home Visits are offered to pregnant women and children ages birth to 36 months in Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott Counties.
Infants, toddlers, and two-year-old children attend group socializations with their parents and receive a snack approved by USDA guidelines at no charge.
Services are family-centered and include:
**Education:**Learning activities that lead to development in areas of language, literacy, math, science, creative arts, social/emotional, and health and physical development, using the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum.
**Social Services:**Home Based Teachers connect families with community services, assisting families to achieve personal educational goals as well as individual family goals.
**Parent Engagement**: Parents receive education through parent meetings, parent-initiated activities, and workshops. Parents are involved in the decision-making process of the PACT agency and classroom curriculum, through the Policy Council.
**Special Services:**At least 10% of all enrollments are reserved for children with special needs, regardless of income level. A variety of services can be provided based on the needs of the child and the wishes of the family.
**Health:**PACT assists with physical examinations and other age appropriate health screenings, as well as nutritional assessments.
## Center Based Options
PACT Head Start Centers are located in Pittsfield, Beardstown, Macomb, and Camp Point.  Classroom services range from 3 1/2 hour sessions to 7 1/2 hour sessions.  Family Advocates provide social service referrals and information on health needs/services in the home to families on a regular basis.
#### Macomb Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9-month school year are held. WIU Students and Staff who are income eligible for HS/EHS are given priority on waiting list.
#### Camp Point Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, one five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9- month school year are held.
#### Beardstown Center
For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9-month school year are held.
#### Pittsfield Center
Five-day sessions are offered for children ages 6 weeks to 36 months in the Early Head Start program. For children ages 3-5 years old, two five-day classroom sessions, 6 hours per day, 9- month school year are held.
Children enrolled in the Center Based programs receive meals approved by USDA guidelines at no charge. Services are family-centered and include:
**Education:**Learning activities that lead to development in areas of language, literacy, mathematics, social and emotional functioning, approaches to learning, science, physical skills, and creative arts, using The Creative Curriculum.  This research-based curriculum is aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and the Illinois Early Learning Development Standards.
**Social Services:**Family Advocates connect families with community services, and staff assists families to achieve personal educational goals as well as individual family goals.
**Parent Engagement**: Parents receive education through parent meetings, parent-initiated activities, and workshops. Parents are responsible for the direction of the PACT agency program through the Policy Council.
**Special Services:**At least 10% of all enrollments are reserved for children with special needs, regardless of income level. Enrollment is not denied based on disability or chronic health condition or its severity.  A variety of services can be provided based on the needs of the child and family.
**Health:**PACT assists with physical examinations and other age appropriate health screenings, including oral health, as well as nutritional assessments.
Head Start is a nationwide program funded by the Administration for Children and Families. The program is designed to provide learning experiences for families and children age birth to 5 years of age.