Sure Start applications being accepted

  • Published
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Sure Start is an exemplary, research-based preschool program that serves military children and families living overseas.

In addition to offering a high-quality educational program that reflects best practices in the field, Sure Start also provides health and nutrition, social and parent involvement services -- 30 hours per parent. Close collaboration between families, schools, and the installation community is viewed as essential and a required part of the program.

Sure Start's first responsibility is to the 4-year-old child, the child who turns 4 by Oct. 31 of the enrolling year, of a military or eligible Department of Defense employee whose rank is E-1 to E-4 or GS-1 to GS-4 at the date of application.

It is important to note that only the sponsor's rank is used to determine eligibility--not family income. Any sponsor in the range of E-5 to E-9 or GS-5 to GS-9 who wishes to apply for the program is eligible to do so with the understanding that first priority is given to those children whose sponsor is in the E-1 to E-4 or GS-1 to GS-4 range.

To comply with the Office of the Secretary of Defense's intent for the program, the majority of the students must be from E-4 and below priority.

Criteria for being admitted to Sure Start are as listed below:

· based on rank of sponsor, E-1-E-4 or GS-1-GS 4 first priority;
· single parent household;
· parent(s) not a high school graduate;
· parent a teenager when first child was born;
· one or both parents speak a language other than English as their primary language;
· low birth weight;
· parent is on remote assignment (TDY) three months or more;
· four or more children close in age, living in the home;
· child is from a dual military family;
· child has sibling with an identified disability

Applications are available now, in the RAF Lakenheath Registrar's office, from the Sure Start teacher or School Liaison office. For more information call, 226-3721.