Early Head Start Collaboration
Early Head Start/Head Start
To prepare children for school while providing families access to community resources and comprehensive support services to ensure their children’s success.
WHY IS THIS PROGRAM IMPORTANT?
Early Head Start/Head Start is a federally funded program that prepares America’s most vulnerable children to succeed in school and beyond. Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way.
Because the program focuses on the family as a whole, children receive early screenings which may lead to early identification of developmental delays, lead poisoning, and dental, health care, and mental health service needs. The program also provides nutritious meals to children and referrals to community resources for families.
WHO / WHAT AGE GROUPS IT’S FOR:
Early Head Start has two options:
- The Home Based program serves children prenatal to 3 and is available for working or non-working families.
- Center Based programs serve children 6 weeks to 3 years old and are designed for working families.
Both options support families to transition to Center Based Head Start when age appropriate, or for those in Home Based to transition to Center Based Early Head Start when needed for working purposes.
Head Start provides preschool services for 3- and 4-year-old children in a Center Based model
How can I access this service?
Families access services through an income-based application process. Find a NM Head Start location.
Children who have disabilities, are living under foster/kinship care, are receiving Survivor SSI benefits, are experiencing homelessness, or who face other risk factors have priority.
What (if anything) it costs:
No cost.
Helpful links:
- Head Start Needs Assessment
- Head Start Program Locator, What’s New, Resources
- New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Office Needs Assessment 2021
- Early Head Start/Head Start: Homelessness Resources
Video Series:
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 1
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 2
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 3
In partnership with the New Mexico Head Start Association, the Bernalillo Health Council and the New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Office is releasing a series of videos addressing opioid and substance misuse in communities. An additional series of videos will soon be available in Spanish. Funding for the videos was awarded by the American Academy of Pediatrics on behalf of the Office of Head Start.