Early Head Start Program

All children from birth to age three need early child development experiences that honor their unique characteristics and provide love, warmth, and positive learning experiences; and all families need encouragement and support from their community so they can achieve their own goals and provide a safe and nurturing environment for their very young children. This recognition is guiding the design of the new Early Head Start program.

-The Statement of the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Services for Families with Infants and Toddlers - 1994

Early Head Start (EHS) offers free, comprehensive services for expectant parents and infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months.

Infants, Toddlers and their Families receive:

· Weekly home visit activities covering child development information, parenting skills, health and nutrition, safety issues, behavior guidance and family living skills

· Two times a month, parents, infants and toddlers spend time with friends at group gatherings, play sessions and mini-workshops

Prenatal Services for Expectant Parents include:

· Individualized home visits with a Family Educator

· Support/education group activities

· Information related to prenatal development, health, dental, nutrition, the birth process, breastfeeding, infant care, attachment, and stress management

· Resource and referral information related to health, mental health and family support services

All families receive:

· Assistance in identifying personal, child and family goals and help developing a plan to meet them

· Referrals to community resources and services

· Information and support to complete prenatal, postpartum and well child exams

· Screening and on-going assessment of their children to track developmental progress

· Transition planning help as their child enters or prepares to leave the Early Head Start Program, and as the child enters or leaves other community services

· If a disability or delay is suspected or identified, staff work with families and other service providers to develop one overall plan to meet the family's needs

Early Head Start also serves:

· To mobilize communities to provide the resources and environment necessary to ensure a comprehensive, integrated array of services and support for families, and to foster the systems change necessary to summon forth the guiding vision of this initiative

To ensure the provision of high quality responsive services to families with infants and toddlers through the development of highly-trained, caring program staff