Last week, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families awarded new Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion funds to 62 agencies in 32 different states and Puerto Rico. The grants will provide Early Head Start services encompassing early learning and development, health, and family well-being to 5,100 infants and toddlers and their families. WAGES Head Start/Early Head Start, which serves Wayne County, was one of only 4 programs in North Carolina to receive this new funding.
Early Head Start programs promote the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. Early Head Start programs support families, including mothers, fathers, and other adults in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. Programs 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.
Eligibility for Early Head Start 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 or Supplemental Security Income are eligible regardless of income.
“Services for young children age birth to three are our biggest window of opportunity for early education. Early Head Start is the premier program that links our youngest children and their families with critical resources and services while providing high quality early care and education. WAGES is excited to expand this program as we meet the needs of our community.” said Patricia Beier, Chief Executive Officer for WAGES.
WAGES is expanding Early Head Start and new slots will be available in Mount Olive, Dudley, at a new center in Goldsboro and at Trinity Child Care Center. Slots are also still available at the existing WAGES centers. Children served will be 6 weeks to 3 years old. Applications are being taken now and are available on line as well. For additional information regarding enrollment, please contact Patricia Beier at 919-580-1796 or pbeier@wagesnc.org.
