South Coast Head Start

09/17/2026

The 4th Thursday Community Partners Event is happening TODAY, September 17th, from 10 AM–1 PM at Pony Village Mall!

This monthly, community-led event brings services, resources, and community partners together to help reduce barriers for families and individuals throughout Coos and Curry Counties.

Come connect with local services and resources, and meet community partners

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Pony Village Mall
1611 Virginia Ave, North Bend, OR 97459

FREE and open to the community! We hope to see you there!

09/14/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Corey! 🌟

This week, we're excited to introduce Corey Wampler, our Health Services Coordinator!

A little about Corey:

Corey began her career after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, with an emphasis in Early Childhood. After spending a year as an integrated classroom teacher with ESD, Corey participated in a grant-funded collaboration between ESD, Mental Health, and South Coast Head Start in the summer of 1997.

That's when Corey met the amazing staff at South Coast Head Start and fell in love with the program!

In the fall of 1997, Corey joined SCHS as the Health Specialist, a role she held until 2014 when she became the Health Services Coordinator. Nearly 30 years later, Corey continues to be an important part of the South Coast Head Start family.

When she's not working, Corey enjoys reading, crocheting and knitting, photography, traveling, and discovering what life looks like as an empty nester.

What drives Corey's passion for Head Start?

After nearly 30 years, Corey says she feels deeply connected to the culture of South Coast Head Start. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help ensure children are healthy and safe so they can fully participate in learning.

She's also honored to help guide staff in the work they do to support children's health and well-being.

One thing Corey is especially proud of is our nutrition program, which provides three meals a day to each child.

"Our meals are cooked with love, and the kids adore our cooks."

Thank you, Corey, for nearly three decades of dedication to keeping our children healthy, safe, and ready to learn—and for all the love you bring to SCHS!

09/11/2026

📢 We’re Hiring!

We have several openings across our Head Start & Early Head Start programs!

Teacher/Advocate
• Coos Bay – Head Start

Teacher Assistant
• Coos Bay – Head Start
• Coos Bay – Early Head Start
• Brookings – Head Start

Classroom Assistant
• Reedsport – Early Head Start
• Reedsport – Head Start
• Coos Bay – Head Start
• Coos Bay – Early Head Start
• North Bend – Head Start
• Gold Beach – Head Start
• Brookings – Head Start

If you’re passionate about working with young children and families and want to be part of a team making a difference in our communities, we’d love to have you apply!

Check out our current openings and apply today!

09/10/2026

📣 Oregon Parents & Guardians: Share Your Experience With Childcare

The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC), in partnership with ECONorthwest and the Children’s Institute, is conducting a statewide survey about how the cost, availability, and accessibility of childcare affect Oregon families.

The survey is open to all Oregon parents and guardians with children under age 13 and takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

The survey is available in English and Spanish, and participants can choose to enter a drawing for one of thirty $50 gift cards redeemable at an Oregon-based business. 🎁

The information gathered will help provide Oregon leaders with current insight into the experiences of families and inform decisions about childcare and early education.

👉 Take the survey:
https://ovbc.info/OR-earlylearning

📅 Survey closes September 15

South Coast Head Start is sharing this opportunity on behalf of the organizations conducting the survey. Please feel free to share with other Oregon families who may be interested in participating!

The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) is teaming up with ECOnorthwest and The Children's Institute for this statewide survey. We want to understand how spending on early care and education affects jobs, pay, and how much people rely on public assistance — and what that means for Oregon's eco...

08/27/2026

The 4th Thursday Community Partners Event is happening TODAY, August 27, from 10 AM–1 PM at Pony Village Mall!

This monthly, community-led event brings services, resources, and community partners together to help reduce barriers for families and individuals throughout Coos and Curry Counties.

✨ This month's highlight: BACK TO SCHOOL! ✨

Come connect with local services and resources, meet community partners, and get ready for the upcoming school year!

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Pony Village Mall
1611 Virginia Ave, North Bend, OR 97459

FREE and open to the community! We hope to see you there!

08/25/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Alex! 🌟

This week, we're excited to introduce Alexandria "Alex" Trigg, our Lead Teacher at our Coos Bay Head Start!

A little about Alex:

Alex has proudly called North Bend home for more than 15 years and has made countless memories and adventures along the way. Whether she's hiking with her family, grabbing coffee with her husband, enjoying a late-night drive, or simply spending time with friends, Alex loves making the most of life's everyday adventures.

A self-proclaimed coffee lover, Alex also enjoys fishing, reading, gaming, watching movies, and spending time with her pets. And if there's one thing she believes, it's that "Team work makes the dream work!"

What drives Alex's passion for Head Start?

Alex began her Head Start journey as a practicum student while working toward her Associate's Degree. From there, she worked her way through several roles, including Substitute, Classroom Assistant, and Teacher Assistant, before becoming a Lead Teacher.

Along the way, she's had the opportunity to work alongside amazing colleagues, families, and children who have helped shape her journey.

"It's really amazing to see the difference we make in their lives."

For Alex, one of the most rewarding parts of working with preschoolers is watching them learn, grow, and flourish into amazing little human beings. She loves their hugs, humor, kindness, and the joy they bring to each day.

Alex is grateful for her incredible team and the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives every day.

Thank you, Alex, for your dedication, your heart for children, and for reminding us all that teamwork really does make the dream work!

08/20/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Sarah! 🌟

This week, we're excited to introduce Sarah Castaneda, our Area Manager & Family Engagement Specialist in Port Orford!

A little about Sarah:

Sarah is a mother of five, including four wonderful children adopted through the foster system, and she is also a caregiver to her disabled parent. Through her own experiences, she understands firsthand the value of having a strong and supportive community.

Outside of Head Start, Sarah is a professional fine artist with an extensive background in federal contracting. She enjoys painting, hiking, horseback riding, and soaking up the sunshine near the water. You might also find her singing off-key and getting the lyrics wrong to her favorite songs!

Sarah is passionate about giving back to her community and enjoys being involved in local projects, including the Port Orford Free Little Pantry.

✨ What drives Sarah's passion for Head Start?

As a parent with three children who have been part of the program, Sarah has seen firsthand the incredible impact Head Start can have on children and families.

"I'm not just an employee, I'm a partner in this journey. I'm inspired by the way Head Start creates a foundation of support, and I'm motivated to give back to the same community that pours so much into my own children every day."

Thank you, Sarah, for the heart, experience, and dedication you bring to supporting children, families, and your community!

08/17/2026

🌟 WE’RE HIRING! 🌟

Are you passionate about supporting families and building strong connections within your community?

South Coast Head Start is looking for a Family Engagement Specialist to join our team in North Bend, OR!

This position plays an important role in promoting family engagement, connecting families with support services, and helping families thrive. If you have strong communication and organizational skills and a heart for working with families, we’d love to hear from you!

💰 Starting at $20.26/hour, depending on experience and qualifications
📍 North Bend, OR
⏰ Full-time | Non-exempt | Seasonal or Year-Round depending on placement

👉 Ready to make a difference? Apply today!

📧 [email protected]
📞 541-435-7090
🌐 www.orcca.us/careers

Please share this post with someone who might be a great fit! 💜✨

08/12/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Alyssa! 🌟

This week, we're excited to introduce Alyssa Soto, our Lead Teacher in the Reedsport Preschool classroom!

💙 A little about Alyssa:

Alyssa is in her second year with South Coast Head Start. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Multiple Subject Education and has several years of experience working with young learners in kindergarten, elementary, and preschool settings.

Originally born and raised in Southern California, Alyssa has officially called Oregon home for more than a year and she's loving everything the Oregon Coast has to offer! Living in the PNW has always been a dream of hers, and she enjoys spending her free time fishing, hiking, hammocking, and exploring all that Oregon has to offer.

When she's not outdoors, Alyssa is a proud dog mom to her Golden Retriever and recently became a fiancé! She also enjoys crafting, cooking, photography, and DIY projects. She's a big sports fan and especially loves baseball and softball. (Go Dodgers!)

✨ What drives Alyssa's passion for Head Start?

"I work for Head Start because I believe every child deserves a strong foundation, a safe place to learn, and someone who is a champion for them. What motivates me most is knowing that the relationships we build and the experiences we provide during these early years can have a lasting impact on a child's confidence, development, and love for learning.

Being part of Head Start gives me the opportunity to support not only children, but their families and our community as well. That is what makes this work so meaningful to me." ❤️

💚 Thank you, Alyssa, for being a champion for children, families, and our community!

08/04/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Krista! 🌟

Hi, I'm Krista Smith, a Lead Teacher in Gold Beach, and I've been part of South Coast Head Start for more than 20 years.

Before I became an employee, I was a parent volunteer who simply couldn't leave because I was so passionate about the program and its mission.

As a teen parent, I was fortunate to have an amazing advocate who saw my potential and encouraged me to return to school. With that support, I began my career as a Classroom Assistant while raising three young children. At one point, my youngest child was even in the same classroom where I worked, a rewarding and sometimes challenging experience that I'll always remember.

Determined to continue my education and professional growth, I earned my Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to serve as a Classroom Assistant, Lead Teacher, Teacher Advocate, and now Teacher Home Visitor. I've always been willing to support the program wherever I'm needed because I truly believe in the work we do.

💙 What drives my passion for Head Start?

One of the things I love most about working with children is getting messy and having fun alongside them! Whether it's sensory play, glitter-filled art projects, dancing like nothing else matters, or celebrating Tutu Tuesdays and Wacky Wednesdays, I enjoy creating joyful experiences that children will remember.

There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing their excitement, curiosity, and laughter. My favorite part of each day is being someone they're excited to see in the morning and knowing I help create a safe, welcoming environment where they feel valued, confident, and free to be themselves.

Thank you, Krista, for more than 20 years of inspiring children, families, and colleagues with your dedication to Head Start.