Celebrating 60 Years of Head Start at Edward Khayat Memorial Park
Celebrating community in Moss Point as generations of families honor six decades of early childhood education
Head Start's 60th Anniversary brought families, educators, and alumni together at Edward Khayat Memorial Park in Moss Point for a day full of pride and gratitude. Generations of Head Start families and staff joined to honor six decades of changing lives and strengthening South Mississippi.
Since 1965, Head Start has been one of the most important investments in early childhood education in the country. In South Mississippi, Community Action of South Mississippi has carried that mission forward through nine centers across Jackson County, serving hundreds of children and families every year. The anniversary celebration at Khayat Park was a chance to look back at that legacy and look ahead at what comes next.
A Day of Joy and Connection
The park was alive with music and laughter as children enjoyed games, face painting, and great food. Past graduates shared how Head Start opened doors for them, proving that early education creates a ripple effect across families and communities. Local leaders took the stage to celebrate the dedication of teachers, staff, and supporters who make the program's mission possible.
Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight addressed the crowd from the park stage, recognizing the impact Head Start has had on generations of families in the city. Community partners including the Moss Point Fire Rescue department set up displays where children could climb into a fire truck, try on helmets, and learn about safety. Inflatable slides, activity stations, and a BBQ smoker kept the energy high from morning to afternoon.
Resource tables connected families to afterschool services, health support, and enrollment information for the upcoming school year. CASOMS staff were on hand to answer questions about Head Start, Early Head Start, and First Step Childcare, making the event as practical as it was celebratory.
Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future
The celebration looked both ways, recognizing sixty years of success, and calling the community to keep building on that foundation. Attendees learned about new programs and opportunities, while resource tables connected families to afterschool services and health support.
Head Start has been opening doors in Moss Point and beyond for sixty years. What started as a federal initiative to give low income children a fair chance at education has grown into a comprehensive family support system. Today, CASOMS operates nine Head Start and Early Head Start centers across Jackson County, providing not just early childhood education but health screenings, nutrition support, family engagement services, and disability accommodations for the children who need them most.
The anniversary event at Edward Khayat Memorial Park showed that the community stands united for the next generation, and that the Head Start legacy will keep growing for years to come. Every child who walked away from the event with a red fire helmet, a painted face, or a full stomach carried a piece of that legacy with them.
Sixty Years of Changing Lives
Head Start is more than a preschool program. It is a family support system that meets children and parents where they are and gives them the tools to build something better. Children receive developmental screenings, dental and medical exams, nutritious meals, and structured learning experiences guided by the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment framework. Parents receive training, resources, and a voice through the Policy Council.
In the most recent program year, CASOMS Head Start served 478 children across its funded enrollment of 436 slots, maintaining a 95% average monthly enrollment rate. Early Head Start served 111 children and pregnant women. These numbers represent real families in Pascagoula, Gautier, Ocean Springs, and Moss Point whose lives are better because Head Start exists.
Enrollment is open year round through the ChildPlus online portal. Families interested in Head Start, Early Head Start, or First Step Childcare can apply at any time. For questions about enrollment, contact Tayonka Thomas, Director of Children and Youth Services, at tthomas@casoms.org or call (228) 769-3292.
Head Start Stories from Our Community
Listen in as some of our community leaders share how Head Start made all of the difference for their families and future.
Learn more about Head Start enrollment, center locations, and programs for children and families across Jackson County.
