MoWest, CAP St. Joe expand Head Start to serve more local children 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A partnership between Missouri Western State University and Community Action Partnership St. Joe created more opportunities for serving local children and applied learning initiatives.

MoWest held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for the newly expanded Head Start facility on campus. 

Head Start and Early Head Start programs focus on supporting the mental, social and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.  

Along with early education, CAP St. Joe Head Start also provides children and their families with services related to health, nutrition and social support.  

The collaboration gives students at MoWest hands-on learning opportunities in programs like education, nursing, social work and psychology.  

Kayla Marmud, community director for CAP St. Joe, said providing high-quality care for children while creating learning opportunities for students was a top priority. 

"Having to partner here with MoWest really was a benefit for both of us since we are able to have the children be with teachers and are able to get new ideas from the teachers,” Marmud said.  

Marmud also pointed out that St. Joseph is considered a “childcare desert,” meaning there are more children who need care than there are available spots. Expanding services was especially important for the community. 

She said the new space will also allow MoWest students to gain more hands-on experience before graduating.  

"You can learn so much from the books, but when you actually get to talk to people, you get to put those things to practice, it really makes a difference,” Marmud said.  

Marmud added that it’s been a great experience having MoWest students visit classrooms to read to the children. She said the younger students especially enjoy having visitors stop by.