What is PICA?

Parents In Community Action, Inc. (PICA) is the federally designated grantee that operates Head Start programs in Hennepin County. Established in 1969, PICA has provided services to low-income families, pregnant women, infants, toddlers and preschoolers for more than 50 years.

PICA helps change the economic trajectory of the families they work with by taking a two-generational approach. Providing education and workforce development to parents is the best start we can offer a child.

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PICA’s Mission

  • Provide comprehensive early childhood and family development services that empower children and families to reach their full potential

  • Support parents and their communities in defining their needs and programs

  • Promote community change that values children and their families; and

  • Develop partnerships with parents and the public, private and corporate sectors to assist in achieving our goal of healthy, happy, productive children and families

To carry out this mission, PICA offers Head Start & Early Head Start programs and services to low-income families, pregnant women, infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

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PICA’s Philosophy

Children enter the world ready to learn. PICA’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs help children build on this natural ability. PICA respects each child’s individuality and honors his/her cultural, ethnic, and family heritage. Our child-centered curriculum, the New World Curriculum, focuses on the interests, learning styles, and developmental needs of the individual child and helps each child develop self-esteem, self-help skills, and socialization skills. 

“I am so glad that PICA exists. I’m proud that my daughter has had the opportunity to attend and that I got to be involved with the school also. Keep up the good work!”

— PICA Parent