LEWISBURG — During the Lewisburg Village Council meeting on Thursday, June 6, Preble County Headstart Site Manager Christi Reveal reported on the headstart program in Preble County, sharing specific statistics and information on the Lewisburg program.

The program has been in Lewisburg under Butler County Educational Service Center for six years. Reveal runs Headstart throughout the county, with part of her job educating citizens on the Headstart program in Preble County. She also works with families in need, working with them to eliminate barriers.

In Preble County, 90 percent of Headstart families are below the poverty guidelines. The program has been funded since 1965. In Lewisburg, the program is located in the United Methodist Church. It is a three and a half day program, four days a week.

There are also Headstart sites throughout Preble County.

More than education, Headstart is also concerned with the health of the children in the program, according to Reveal. The program ensures children get a dental exam, as lack of dental care can cause to severe problems later in life. It also looks for resources for the families, to help them to “step up out of poverty.”

The Preble County Headstart Program works to bring families together with different events and meetings throughout the year.

Headstart facilities are located in Twin Valley South, Eaton, National Trail, and Camden. There are always two teachers with bachelors degrees on staff.

Lewisburg has the highest kindergarten readiness scores in Preble County, according to Reveal. Transportation is provided to the program at National Trail and Lewisburg.

Headstart is free to families that qualify.