Concerted Services, Inc. (CSI) Child Development Services began preschool services in 1968 as a summer school program. Under the leadership of the Director, Bonnie T. Gaskins, the program continues to earn a national reputation for excellence, innovation and leadership.
CSI Child Development Services provides Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K services to 979 children in 17 centers in the 12 counties of Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Toombs, and Ware in rural, southeast Georgia.
The mission of the Concerted Services, Inc. Child Development Services program is to provide quality teaching and learning environments to meet the developmental needs of all children to ensure future educational needs.
Concerted Services, Inc. Child Development Services program’s vision is to be a national leader in early childhood education and services.
All of our centers shall meet or exceed the requirements of the Federal Head Start Program Standards and obtain or maintain Quality Rating System Standards.
The funding and authority to operate Head Start and Early Head Start come from the U.S. Department of health and Human Services (HHS) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
The funding and authority to operate the Pre-K program comes from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The funds are from the Georgia Lottery Commission.
Concerted Services, Inc. (CSI) is the administrative home for the Child Development Services. CSI is a community action, non-profit, 501(C)(3) agency.
The Head Start and Early Head Start programs must comply with performance standards developed by the Administration of Children and Families (ACF). Each year parents, board members, and community representatives work on teams that visit the centers, interviews staff members, parents and board members, and review plans and records to verify that the program is in compliance with Federal Performance Standards. Self-assessment team recommendations for program improvement are included in operation planning.
The Office of Head Start in Washington, DC then validates the results of the self assessments by sending representative to visit and review the program every three years.
The program is also monitored by consultants from various state and local offices that include: Pre-K, Department of Early Care and Learning Child Care Licensing, Fire Marshall, Health Inspectors, Building Inspectors, Child and Adult Feeding Program, Auditors, Department of Labor, and others.
