Early Head Start Program

Head Start Program

The TCOC Early Head Start Program is a comprehensive, family development
program for low-income families. The main goals of the program are to foster social
competence and enhance self-concept and self-esteem. Implementation is
accomplished through a balance of center and home activities shared by Teachers,
Parent/Child Educators, and Parents which recognize a child’s family as the main
influence of his or her development.

Eligibility

· To be enrolled in Early Head Start, a child must be under the age of
three. (Children 3-5 may be eligible for our Head Start Program).

· Pregnant moms may enroll

· The family must meet our income guidelines

· Children with diagnosed disabilities may be considered for enrollment regardless of income

Home-Based Option

Each child enrolled in Early Head Start Home-Based option will have a Parent/Child Educator come to their home for 90– minutes a week to work with parents to provide children with learning experiences. The Parent/Child Educators will provide parents and children with child health and developmental services, early childhood education and development, health and safety, child nutrition and child mental health.

Families are also encouraged to attend Socialization Days that are scheduled for twice a month. They offer activities, snacks and parent networking.

Center-Based Option

Center-Based option provides quality care to children in a safe and developmentally appropriate education setting. It offers enrichment experiences in an atmosphere of acceptance through reciprocal and responsive interactions between teachers and babies/toddlers.

Parents must be working 25+ hours a week, or be enrolled in a training program or school full-time and must qualify for child care subsidy.

Service Offered for both Home-Based and Center-Based

Early Education Services

· Developmental screening

· Learning experiences which help children develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally

· Promote developmental competence in the earliest years

· At-home activities

· Parent education and parent/child activities

Comprehensive Health and Mental Health Services

· Determining child’s health status

· Social-emotional screening

· Extended follow-up and treatment

· Ongoing care

· Mental health services

Parent Involvement

To meet the goals of Early Head Start, parent participation is needed. This means that parents will be actively involved in their child’s learning by participating in home visits, parent meetings, socialization days and by taking part in other Early Head Start activities.

Home-Based Service Areas

· Whiteside County

· Ogle County

· Marshall County

· Rochelle

· LaSalle/Peru

· Carroll County

· Mendota/Earlville

· Bureau/Putnam

· Ottawa/Marseilles/Streator

Center-Based Service Areas

· Sterling