“Specialized Employment Efforts Keep Education Running Smoothly”

Are you interested in a career with competitive wages, benefits, retirement, paid time off, professional development opportunities and continuing education support?

SEEKERS is a free education and job training program for parents and guardians of currently enrolled HSOLC children or children who have participated in Head Start or Early Head Start within the past two years and who are interested in employment with Head Start as a Substitute, Classroom Aide, Teacher, or Head Teacher. Participants must be able to read, write and speak with proficiency in the English language.

Program Requirements

  • Ability to consistently attend weekly Wednesday classes in-person except for Florence, Oakridge and Lowell.
  • Ability to volunteer 150 hours in a Mentor classroom.
  • Register with the State of Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry program (free on-line application, see below. Requirement for all Head Start staff and SEEKERS volunteers).
  • Have at least a high school diploma or GED for future employment with Head Start and be able to work legally in the US.

No experience needed

A Graduate’s View of the Advantages of Becoming a SEEKER

My Goals and Dreams!

When my children enrolled in to HSOLC, I was given the opportunity to  enroll in the SEEKERS program and work towards my goal and dream of being a teacher.

Rachel S., SEEKERS Graduate

Anything is Possible!

Enrolling my son in Head Start gave me opportunities to learn and grow and has shown me anything is possible especially reaching my goals!

Richalle P., SEEKERS Graduate

I’m Employed!

I’m employed now with HSOLC and working on my BA Degree using training education dollars through Head Start. I also won a scholarship through the Oregon HS Association. None of this would be possible without the SEEKERS program and HSOLC! 

Ashley Z., SEEKERS Graduate

Supported, Included and Accepted! 

I have disabilities and it has been almost impossible to find employment where I felt supported, included and accepted. I am a SEEKER graduate and now a HSOLC Teacher.  It started with the SEEKERS program where I was able to find everything I needed to start my career path. I can now say happily my faily is no longer considered no low income. 

Kim J., SEEKERS

My Dream Job

If you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, try SEEKERS. It’s like free college, a test drive, a sample. It can be the career you didn’t know you wanted.

You, Future SEEKER, SEEKERS Graduate
Interested in learning more about SEEKERS?
You are invited to attend an informational orientation about the SEEKRS program on
Wednesday, September 17th, at the Grand Head Start at 10 AM in the cafeteria.
21 North Grand Street Eugene
No childcare is provided for this event.

Program Information: 

  • The SEEKERS Program runs September – May.
  • Training classes with an emphasis on early childhood education, child development, and Head Start practices are held every Wednesday from 9:00-11:30.
  • SEEKERS participants will be placed on a rotation schedule in multiple Mentor classrooms to receive hands on classroom learning opportunities with support and guidance from the Head Start teaching teams and complete 150 hours of volunteer classroom time.
  • Transportation and childcare are not provided for Wednesday morning classes or classroom volunteering. Volunteering is typically completed when your Head Start child is in class.
  • If you are participating in the JOBS program through the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), our program meets those requirements. Speak with your Family Coach at DHS.
  • Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive continuing education support, career advisement, and job application support.

Enroll your child in HS/EHS and Enroll in SEEKERS

Need more information?

Contact Anne Handy, SEEKERS Specialist
ahandy@hsolc.org or leave a message at 541-515-4490

Complete Child Enrollment form here

Complete the online Seekers Interest Form Below

SEEKERS Interest Form

Helpful Links

Central Background Registry (free application process)

SEEKER Interest form

Designing a SEEKERS Program

A helpful manual is available for other programs as a launching point to creating a SEEKERS career program.

Eye Opening

Being a SEEKERS has opened my eyes to what Head Start is really about, and what it does for such a variety of families. I have learned different ways that I can address situation. Also I have met some neat people, had fun experiences and have made some new friends.

Shannon, Current SEEKER

Better Parent

Participating in the seekers program has given me a sense of purpose. It has taught me to be a better parent and gave me the chance to develop skills to help children in the toughest situations. I’ve developed friendships an overcome anxiety in order to pursue the chance to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Being a seeker is an opportunity of a lifetime that I am grateful to be given.

Nikki, Current SEEKER

Smiles, Laughter & Fun

I’ve been asked what being a Seeker means to me. It is a hard question to answer with a restriction on the amount of words I can use. To me it is an opportunity to fulfill the desire to work with children, teach them, watch them grow, learn, explore, and expand who they are. The Seekers program has given me the chance to obtain this dream. I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet exceptional people, learn from them, work with them, and be encouraged by all. All the smiles, laughter, and fun we have as a group has made me feel right at home. I am extremely happy to be a Seeker and encourage anyone with the opportunity to take it in a heartbeat, you won’t regret it.

Tiffany B., Current SEEKER

Leadership

This year has been packed full of learning. I have joined Policy Council as the Secretary and worked on the events committees for Good-bye Brattain and Fishing day.  I am also a SEEKER and work in the classroom as a volunteer.  All of this is possible because of SEEKERS and my love of teaching that SEEKERS has helped me discover. We have learned about CATCH and activities to help children learn and keep them healthy. We saw how to use science & math in a preschool classroom, but most of all we learned how to play like four year olds once again. I am so thankful to Head Start and the SEEKERS Class who have made this year such a joy. Playing with the children has been phenomenal. Thank you for this year of learning fun.

Michelle, Current SEEKER