Early Head Start

Being a parent is one of the most challenging jobs you will face. Whether you are expecting, have a newborn infant, a curious toddler, or a preschooler, getting the support you need is often difficult.

Head Start and Early Head Start give you the encouragement you need. After all, you are your child’s first and most important teacher!

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide FREE early childhood services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social, and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services. Programs’ services are designed to be responsive to each child and family’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. (Head Start website)

Human Services, Inc.’s Head Start Program provides FREE early childhood services in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson Counties to children 3 to 5 years old and their families.

Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income children ages 3 through 5 and their families. Services provided include education, health, nutrition, parent involvement activities, and community support services for the entire family as well as special services to preschool children with recognized disabilities. Program services are designed to be responsive to each child and family’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage

Head Start provides support to the whole family to ensure every child is ready for kindergarten. Families can receive assistance with childcare, utilities, health insurance, medical and dental care, access to early intervention services, and more at no cost through our broad network of community support in each area served.

WHO QUALIFIES for Early Head Start?

Pregnant women and families with children birth to three years old who have a household income at or below the 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, children in foster care, families that receive TANF or SSI, or children with a documented learning disability. Although the program is primarily for low-income families, some families with higher incomes may be eligible. Apply below to see if you qualify.

How Do I Apply?

You can apply in person at your local office, by mail, or online. Click the link below to apply online

Services are offered to families who have incomes below the federal poverty level.

Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in the following domains:

• Language and literacy
• Cognition and general knowledge
• Physical development and health
• Social and emotional development
• Approaches to learning

What benefits do the programs provide for children?

• Learn to express thoughts and feelings
• Increase self-confidence
• Establish positive relationships with other children
• Develop literacy and math skills
• Healthy meals and snacks
• Health, development, hearing and vision screenings
• School readiness
• Collaboration with other agencies for children with special needs

Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. Head Start programs build relationships with families that support:

• Family well-being and positive parent-child relationships
• Families as learners and lifelong educators
• Family engagement in transitions
• Family connections to peers and community
• Families as advocates and leaders

What services does the program provide to families?

• Financial assistance with health care costs for students needing preventative care or treatment not covered by insurance
• Parent meetings
• Volunteer and training opportunities
• Quality early childhood education and social-emotional support

What is Early Head Start?

Early Head Start is a federally funded community-based program dedicated to protecting and strengthening the bonds between parents and children. During the first three years of life, a child’s brain is developing pathways which will imprint the way they learn, move, and interact socially for the rest of their lives. How parents interact with their children in the first three years can have lasting effects on their child’s overall development.

Early Head Start’s family-driven philosophy empowers parents to support and nurture their child and become their child’s first and most important teacher.

Early Head Start offers three program options, Prenatal Care, Home Based, and Center Care. Home Based is offered to families 90 minutes weekly. Early Head Start services are offered in Bartholomew and Shelby Counties.

Center Based Program

In the center-based program, children 6 weeks to three years of age are provided free quality early childhood education in a classroom setting. Children develop relationships with staff, interact with peers, receive age appropriate screenings and assessments that address the whole child, and age appropriate meals and snacks. Families only provide a change of clothing for the child. Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, pacifiers, and food is provided at no cost to the family.

Home Based Program

Home Based is a year-round program that provides services to children and parents of children ages six weeks to three years, as well as expectant families in their homes for 90 minutes weekly. Prenatal visits will vary in length and frequency depending on the families’ needs and interests.

Home Visits

Family Support Workers (FSW) supports you as your child’s first and most important teacher. Once a week, a FSW will visit you and your child in your home.

Follow Up and Identify Needs

The Family Support Worker (FSW) and parent(s) will review the past week and discuss any family issues. The FSW can enhance your awareness of and participation in our program and community events. FSW may also assist you in meeting your identified needs and goals.

Prenatal Care

The primary purpose of prenatal care is to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and ultimately a healthy baby. A Family Support Worker offers expectant families support and information to assist them in achieving healthy birth outcomes and in forming an early attachment with their unborn baby. The FSW works closely with the Early Head Start Nurse in reaching healthy outcomes.

Parent/Child Interaction

The Family Support Worker assists parents in planning developmentally appropriate activities which encourage positive interaction, provide the opportunity for learning experiences, generalize and expand skills, present component information geared for the child, and reinforce the parent as the primary educator of the child.

Play-Groups

The families enrolled in the Home Based program are given the opportunity to get together twice a month. Parents are encouraged to participate in the planning of play groups. During a typical play group the Family Support Worker will serve a meal or snack, provide information or guest speakers requested by parents, and provide age appropriate activities.

HOW CAN I HELP?

As a federally funded program, we must provide a local match of 20% of the federal funding. This requirement is met through cash donations, in-kind gifts, and volunteer time. Contributions and volunteering your time are greatly appreciated and can make a difference in your community. If you would like additional information regarding donations, please contact the Head Start nearest you.

Links:

https://consciousdiscipline.com/methodology/seven-powers/

https://www.myplate.gov/

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

www.aap.org

http://main.zerotothree.org

www.pitc.org

http://www.happiestbaby.com

www.firstcandle.org

http://www.indianaperinatal.org/

www.lalecheleague.org

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.