Growing Our Own Degreed Educators (GOODE)

The GOODE program, funded by the Administration for Children and Families, provides support to Head Start teaching staff who are seeking an online Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. GOODE helps enable Head Start personnel to succeed in taking high quality, culturally sensitive coursework and in obtaining a Bachelor of Science in HDFS, with an emphasis in Children and Families. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve developmental outcomes and school readiness of Head Start children of all ethnicities by aiding in the professional development of Head Start teaching staff.

Head Start staff who hold a 2-year degree can transfer their general education credits and complete the second half of the Baccalaureate degree (approximately 60 credits, depending on transferability of coursework) through the online format. The HDFS online degree program was designed with Head Start teaching and family support staff specifically in mind, and meets Federal requirements for Head Start teaching staff. The program minimizes the interruption of daily work in Head Start programs where students are employed by providing courses online and allowing students to complete their practicum and internship hours at the Head Start center in which they work. We provide individual support to Head Start educator/students through our bilingual recruiter & adviser, Antonia Gonzales, and provide Spanish language guides to our courses to aid students in navigating each course if their first language is Spanish. Please note, however, that the courses themselves are conducted in English and require proficiency in English. We also have a scholarship available to help with tuition and related costs of higher education through our program, and we will work with Head Start directors and education managers to find the best combination of financial supports available to students. See links below for additional information.

GOODE Scholarships and Application