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HELPFUL RESOURCES

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Early Head Start

Partnering with Family Child Care Providers to provide comprehensive high quality child care in the a family setting.

Introduction

What is Early Head Start?

Early Head Start (EHS) programs provide family-centered services for low-income families with very young children. These programs are designed to promote the development of the children, and to enable their parents to fulfill their roles as parents and to move toward self-sufficiency.

Areas of Service

We serve the communities of Federal Way, Tacoma, Lakewood, Spanaway, and Graham, and have care options in Spanish, Punjabi, Somali, Tagalog, and English.

Flexible Care

Many of our providers start earlier than 6:00 am, or also offer 24-hour care, which allows families to both benefit from EHS services while also continuing to work non-traditional hours or shift work.

Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

  • Birth – 4 yrs old, including pregnant moms in 3rd trimester (must be under 3.5to enroll)

  • 0-100% FPL, sometimes can serve over

  • Experiencing Homelessness (Mckinny Vento definition)

  • Foster care

  • Receiving, or eligible to receive, TANF/SSI/SNAP

  • Extreme need/ability to benefit
Benefits

Eligibility Term Length

Once verified Eligible, eligibility lasts for 1 year if not placed. If placed, eligibility lasts until child turns 4 years old, (meaning no need to reapply every year)

Case Management for Families

Each family is assigned to work with a Specialist, in addition to the secondary support of the two Leads (supporting different needs), and access to an Intervention Specialist/MHC

Each family gets a “home” visit within 30 days of placement to map out family needs and goals, and minimum 3 “home” visits per year, in addition to “Family-FCCP” conferences. (home is defined as where the family feels comfortable meeting, we go to them)

Group supports options, at least monthly

  • Parent Committee

  • Family Cafes

  • Trainings, including opportunities to attend national conferences (paid for by the program)

  • Policy Council, including opportunities to shape the direction of their child’s program and to becoming involved in advocacy at the state and national level

Comprehensive Family Services

  • Health & mental health (extensive screenings/services supports)

  • Access to health coverage

  • Support with special needs and early intervention

  • Support with long-term/sustainable housing

  • Domestic Violence prevention & intervention supports

  • Substance abuse intervention supports

  • Parent education and Child development

  • Job training & work placement

  • Educational goals

  • Financial education and stability support

  • Support with Family identify needs and goals

  • Resources and referrals

  • General family support (going beyond just the child to all members of the family unit)
Apply

Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children up to age four. Enrollment into BrightSpark Early Head Start program is ongoing, but eligibility depends on where you live, your income level, and Working Connections Subsidy status.

 

Start your application

Partner with Us

Are you a Family Child Care provider looking to partner with EHS? We want to hear from you! Get in touch today.