What is Early Head Start?
Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. The mission is simple:
- to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women,
- to enhance the development of very young children, and
- to promote healthy family functioning.
EHS is built on the following principles for serving children and families: High Quality & Comprehensive Services, Prevention and Promotion, Positive and Continuous Relationships with Children and Families, Parent Involvement, Inclusion of all Children, Cultural Sensitivity, Flexibility and Responsiveness, Transitions into Head Start or other pre-k programs, and Collaboration with Community Partners.
How is “Early Head Start” different from “Head Start”?
Head Start serves three- and four-year-old children with comprehensive preschool and child development services. The MAISD partners with area school districts to serve 634 Head Start children throughout Muskegon and Oceana counties. The program’s main goal is to provide a high-quality, comprehensive preschool program and thus help prepare children for success in school and in life. All children in Head Start are served in preschool classrooms, whereas in Early Head Start pregnant women and children are served in the home.
If you are expecting or have a child under the age of 3 and would like more information, please contact our Early Head Start Family Service Workers:
Katy Cook or Tara Kelley at 231-873-6251