Portage Learning Centers Head Start and Early Head Start
Key Bank Building, 145 North Chestnut Street, Lower Level, Lower Level, OH 44266
About
Portage Learning Centers Head Start and Early Head Start offers Head Start Preschool as a no-cost preschool for income-eligible children and Early Head Start as a no-cost early education program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The programs are federally funded and promote the school readiness of children from income-eligible families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, including health, nutrition, social services, education, and cognitive development.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Main office hours Monday–Thursday 8 am–4 pm and Friday 8 am–12 pm
• Price: Head Start Preschool is a no-cost preschool for income-eligible children, and Early Head Start is a no-cost early education program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women
Portage Learning Centers operates four Head Start centers and serves 208 children in Head Start and 64 children and pregnant women in Early Head Start. Home-based Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool programs are available for children ages 0 to 5, and Early Head Start is also provided in a center-based program in Kent and Ravenna. All centers and the main office follow the USDA anti-discrimination statement as part of their funding.
Portage Learning Centers is committed to empowering individuals and families to succeed by fostering dignity, self-worth, and personal goal achievement, and prioritizes the family’s influence on child development through comprehensive services and community partnerships. All of their centers have received the Ohio Step Up to Quality Gold Award.
The Portage Private Industry Council, Inc., doing business as Portage Learning Centers, was incorporated in 1983, was awarded the State and Federal Head Start programs for Portage County in 1997, and was awarded the Federal Early Head Start program in 2010. The leadership team includes Executive Director Sherry Pomeroy, PhD; Head Start Director Kathleen Milliken; Director of Fiscal Gerald Kline; Director of Education Michelle Cooley; Health Coordinator Lisa Murton; Maintenance Alan Finn; Director of Family Engagement Diane Rogers; EHS Coordinator and Home-Based Supervisor Iris Smith; Human Resource Specialist Erika McKibben; Transportation Coordinator Shari Farmer; and Special Services Coordinator Kimberly Snyder. The organization is supported by a Board of Trustees Executive Committee, additional board members, legal counsel, Policy Council parent representatives and alternates, and community representatives as listed in the verified facts.
For enrollment, proof of age is required for child applicants, such as a birth certificate or birth record. Families are also asked to provide the name, address, and phone number of two emergency contacts, any custody or guardianship paperwork if it applies, and the name of the child’s doctor and dentist. Testimonials from families mention positive experiences with staff members including Ms. Boston at the Atwater location, Transportation Coordinator Shari Farmer, and Johnna.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Main office hours Monday–Thursday 8 am–4 pm and Friday 8 am–12 pm
• Price: Head Start Preschool is a no-cost preschool for income-eligible children, and Early Head Start is a no-cost early education program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women
Portage Learning Centers operates four Head Start centers and serves 208 children in Head Start and 64 children and pregnant women in Early Head Start. Home-based Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool programs are available for children ages 0 to 5, and Early Head Start is also provided in a center-based program in Kent and Ravenna. All centers and the main office follow the USDA anti-discrimination statement as part of their funding.
Portage Learning Centers is committed to empowering individuals and families to succeed by fostering dignity, self-worth, and personal goal achievement, and prioritizes the family’s influence on child development through comprehensive services and community partnerships. All of their centers have received the Ohio Step Up to Quality Gold Award.
The Portage Private Industry Council, Inc., doing business as Portage Learning Centers, was incorporated in 1983, was awarded the State and Federal Head Start programs for Portage County in 1997, and was awarded the Federal Early Head Start program in 2010. The leadership team includes Executive Director Sherry Pomeroy, PhD; Head Start Director Kathleen Milliken; Director of Fiscal Gerald Kline; Director of Education Michelle Cooley; Health Coordinator Lisa Murton; Maintenance Alan Finn; Director of Family Engagement Diane Rogers; EHS Coordinator and Home-Based Supervisor Iris Smith; Human Resource Specialist Erika McKibben; Transportation Coordinator Shari Farmer; and Special Services Coordinator Kimberly Snyder. The organization is supported by a Board of Trustees Executive Committee, additional board members, legal counsel, Policy Council parent representatives and alternates, and community representatives as listed in the verified facts.
For enrollment, proof of age is required for child applicants, such as a birth certificate or birth record. Families are also asked to provide the name, address, and phone number of two emergency contacts, any custody or guardianship paperwork if it applies, and the name of the child’s doctor and dentist. Testimonials from families mention positive experiences with staff members including Ms. Boston at the Atwater location, Transportation Coordinator Shari Farmer, and Johnna.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.