Early Head Start Services Now Available

Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have obtained nearly $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to expand services to 84 families in Jefferson and Clarion Counties to include infants and toddlers, Birth to Age 3 and Pregnant Women, through Early Head Start.  Steve Berfield, Executive Director of Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. states that Early Head Start services are desperately needed by families in our area and that they will serve to complement the other programs we currently administer.  Additionally, this new program will provide 12 new staff positions.

Quality services, like Head Start, have been the keystone for Early Head Start across its history since 1995.  Many of the same things exist within Early Head Start, such as an emphasis on high quality, promoting healthy development of children, positive relationships, parent involvement, inclusion of children with disabilities, and transition planning.  Early Head Start will provide free comprehensive child and family development services for low-income families operating year round. 

The program includes intensive services that begin before the child is born and concentrate on enhancing the child’s development and supporting the family during the critical first three years of the child’s life.  Extensive research has shown that quality services, such as Early Head Start and Head Start provided to young children and their families has a positive impact on the child’s development and strengthens the family.

Home based services utilizing an age appropriate infant/toddler curriculum will be provided once per week to support child development and to nurture parent-child relationships.  Planned, well designed socialization opportunities will exist twice per month for parents and children to come together as a group for learning, discussion, and social activity.  Early Head Start will provide supports to expectant families through partnerships offering services in comprehensive prenatal and postpartum health care, prenatal education, and breastfeeding education.

Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. is excited about this opportunity to expand services to children and families in the bi-county area.  Anyone wishing to obtain more information about Early Head Start can call the main office at 814-849-3660 or toll free at 800-628-6150.

Click Here to download the application.