This week, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded new Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion funds to 62 agencies in 32 different states and Puerto Rico. The grants will provide Early Head Start services encompassing early learning and development, health, and family well-being to 5,100 infants and toddlers and their families.
Early Head Start programs promote the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. Early Head Start programs support families, including mothers, fathers, and other adults in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. Programs assist families in meeting their own personal goals and achieving self-sufficiency across a wide variety of domains such as housing stability, continued education and financial security.
Eligibility for Early Head Start is generally based on family income being at or below the poverty level. Children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and children from families receiving public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible regardless of income.
“Early Head Start is a bridge for American families who are in the midst of navigating uncertainty and adversity,” said Dr. Bernadine Futrell, director of the Office of Head Start at ACF. “Each year these funds will support 5,100 children and their families achieve a more stable life and be better prepared for school.”
Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships are collaborations with local child care providers to enhance services for low-income working families through comprehensive services; access to full-day, full-year care; and preparing children for the transition into preschool.
“Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs bring together the best of Early Head Start and child care through layering of funding,” said Dr. Futrell. “Through the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program, child care centers and family child care providers in communities can partner to access federal resources that support better outcomes for more children and families across the nation.”
Quick Facts
- New Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion funds to 62 agencies in 32 different states and Puerto Rico.
- Grants will provide Early Head Start services encompassing early learning and development, health, and family well-being to 5,100 infants and toddlers and their families.
- Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships are collaborations with local child care providers to enhance services for low-income working families through comprehensive services; access to full-day, full-year care; and preparing children for the transition i
Quotes
“Early Head Start is a bridge for American families who are in the midst of navigating uncertainty and adversity.”— Dr. Bernadine Futrell, director of the Office of Head Start at ACF
“Each year these funds will support 5,100 children and their families achieve a more stable life and be better prepared for school.”— Dr. Bernadine Futrell, director of the Office of Head Start at ACF
“Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs bring together the best of Early Head Start and child care through layering of funding.”— Dr. Bernadine Futrell, director of the Office of Head Start at ACF
“Through the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program, child care centers and family child care providers in communities can partner to access federal resources that support better outcomes for more children and families across the nation.”— Dr. Bernadine Futrell, director of the Office of Head Start at ACF
Contact
Administration for Children & Families
Office of Communications
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: (202) 401-9215
Fax: (202) 205-9688
Email: media@acf.hhs.gov