Infant & Child Services
Early Head Start and Head Start are comprehensive development programs for low income families which serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. These programs charge no fee, and are primarily for families whose income is below the level set by the Department of Health and Human Services. Funding is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. The program’s overall goal is to increase the child’s effective social and intellectual competence in dealing with the current learning environment and later responsibilities in school and life. Early Head Start and Head Start focus on each child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Early Head Start
Integrates child development, health (physical, dental, mental, and nutritional),
and family and community partnerships to bring about a broad range of services
which address the needs of each child and his/her family. Early Head Start
offers Center-Based Programs in Wellsville and Friendship and serves infants and toddlers ages birth to 3 years old. The child and/or
parent attend the center 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday), and each family has regular home visits.
Head Start
Head Start is a preschool program for income-eligible families of children three to
five years old. There are currently seven Head Start Centers located inCuba, Friendship, Rushford, Bolivar, Belmont and Wellsville.
Center-Based programs offer developmentally
appropriate activities for children and their families. Children attend
the centers six hours per day, four days a week (Monday through Thursday),
and each family has regular home visits.
Home Based Program
THe Home-Based Program serves all of Allegany County. Home Visitors conduct education activities in partnership with the parent and child on a weekly basis. Families meet two times a month for socializations, which may include field trips and guest speakers. Eligible children ages birth to 5 years old may participate in Home Based services.
Core values and practices of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs include:
- A supportive learning environment for children, parents, and staff
- Developmentally appropriate practice in daily learning settings
- Individualized services
- Cultural diversity with respectful, sensitive, and proactive approaches
- Empowerment of families
- Shared decision-making and governing responsibility (Policy Council, Advisory and Parent Committees)
- ideas and opinions of families being heard and respected
- assisting families by building on strengths and identifying needs
- cooperatively forming strategies for success
- parent education on health and well-being for all family members
- Family partnership services
- engaging parents in cooperative decision-making
- planning with families for education, employment, self-sufficiency
- Community partnership services
- advocacy and referrals to promote family access to service providers
- networking community organizations to build a seamless array of services
- Comprehensive health services
- screenings for vision, hearing, health, speech, dental, and developmental status
- referrals for disabilities services
- promoting and tracking immunizations
- encouraging parent and child practices to promote health, safety, and good nutrition
- referrals for mental health services and parent training in emotional wellness
For more information please call
(585) 268-7605
TDD 1-800-877-8339
Email accordinfo@accordcorp.org