About PICA

What is PICA?
Parents In Community Action, Inc. (PICA) is a private, non-profit agency designated by the federal government to operate Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The agency was founded in 1969 by Head Start parents. Today PICA serves nearly 2,500 children and families and offers a variety of programs and services for children and families in addition to Head Start and Early Head Start.

Our 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.

Parent involvement is the most important part of Head Start and Early Head Start. At PICA, parents have decision-making power and are involved in all parts of the program.