Carolina Community Actions, Inc

About US

The History of CCA and Head Start

 

August 20, 1964 at the Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Poverty Bill (also known as the Economic Opportunity Act) while press and supporters of the bill look on.  Credit: LBJ Library photo by Cecil Stoughton, htt;://www.lbjlibrary.net/collections/photo-archive.html Serial Number C661-4-WH64

 

Creation of Carolina Community Actions, Inc.

On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Economic Opportunity Act as part of his "War on Poverty," which created the nationwide Community Action Network.  The purpose was to expand educational opportunities, eliminate poverty, provide health and financial assistance to the elderly, and increase assistance for the poor and unemployed.

The York County Economic Opportunity Commission had been previously established and by August 2, 1965, Carolina Community Actions, Inc. (CCA) was incorporated to include Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, and York counties as the service area.  On December 8, 1965, CCA was officially recognized and approved by the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and received its first grant funds.  Mr. J. Lee Spratt was the first Executive Director of the cooperation with Mr. C. Ross Rutledge serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Due to the geographic area of service being altered through federal directions and actions, the Board of Directors voted on November 4, 1974 to amend the charter and add Union county as part of the CCA service area.

 

Creation of Head Start

President Johnson announced Project Head Start in May 1965.  The program began out of the Office of Economic Opportunity in the summer of 1965.  A single line in the Economic Opportunity Act authorized the Head Start Program that would assist millions of children and play a role in establishing the children's television show, Sesame Street.

The first Head Start program was an eight week summer assistance project for low-income children who would enter public school in the fall of 1965.  In 1966, Congress authorized a fully funded, year-round Head Start program in the summer of 1966.  In February 1967, the CCA Board of Directors approved the submission of an application for a combined summer and year-round Head Start program for 1967.

CCA Head Start has served thousands of children and families since 1965, growing from an eight week demonstration project to include full day/year services and many program options.  CCA Head Start, in partnership with home and community, prepares young children to learn, to achieve their fullest potential, and become life-long learners.  The program provides developmentally appropriate programs, early intervention when needed, a safe and supportive environment, and equal access to diverse experiences, economically and educationally.