Early Head Start Services to Expand
[Cincinnati, Ohio] March 18, 2021 –This week, the 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 states and Puerto Rico. Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency’s Head Start Program is among those selected through nationwide competitive grants, and the agency will receive $1.5 million services encompassing early learning and development, health, and family well-being for 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. They support families, including mothers, fathers, and other adults, in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. Programs also 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.
“I am excited to expand Early Head Start services in our community. The need is great and this allows us to leverage local funding to support quality,” explains Renee Y. Daniel, vice president of early childhood education and director of Cincinnati CAA’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program. “Through the EHS-CC Partnership program, community child care centers and family child care providers can partner to access federal resources that support better outcomes for more children and families across our community.”
EHS programs recruit families with the greatest need. Eligibility 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 creates a network of support for American families as they navigate these challenging times of 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 in reaching positive child and family outcomes regarding health, economic mobility, education, and development.”
EHS-CC Partnerships are collaborations with local child care providers to enhance services for low-income working families. This is accomplished 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 EHS-CC Partnership program, community child care centers and family child care providers can partner to access federal resources that support better outcomes for more children and families across the nation.”
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ABOUT HAMILTON COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY- Through our network of donors, employees and volunteers, YOUR Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA) provides low and moderate-income individuals the opportunity to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and their communities. CAA offers job training, housing assistance, heating assistance, entrepreneurial coaching, Head Start and Early Head Start. Established in 1964 by Theodore Berry Sr. as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s historic “War on Poverty” initiative, the goal of CAA is to inspire dreams and improve lives. For more information about the Community Action Agency, please visit our website, cincy-caa.org.
