EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM
Westside Children’s Center Receives $1.050 Early Head Start grant to expand services
Jan. 12, 2010
Westside Children’s Center has been awarded an Early Head Start grant to expand services to pregnant women and young children in Los Angeles county. WCC’s Early Care and Education program currently provides approximately 360 children ages 3 mo. to 5 years old and their families with quality child care, education services, developmental and health assessments, and community referrals that support and nurture vulnerable families living in pockets of poverty in Los Angeles Westside communities.
Funding was awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009. The two-year grant for $1,050,000 is part of $1.1 billion included in the package for Early Head Start (EHS) infant and toddler programs throughout the country.
With the ARRA funding, WCC will be able to expand its program to serve 75 additional children, including 10 pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers in west Los Angeles.
EHS is a comprehensive early childhood development program for low-income children from birth to age 3. EHS programs enhance children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; assist pregnant women to access comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care; support parents' efforts to fulfill their parental roles; and help parents move toward self-sufficiency. It is designed to complement Head Start, and together set up a model from birth to 5 years old that can benefit children long term.
Families eligible for Early Head Start services follow similar federal income guidelines as with Head Start families (approximately $22,000 or less of income for a family of four). In addition, local priority will be given to children of teenage parents, pregnant women with a history of abuse, and parents of young children who are enrolled in school, workforce development, or are working.
Westside Children’s Center will kick off its Early Head Start program in March 2010. The initial roll out will begin with the enrolment of 51 children in high quality family child care homes in WCC’s immediate community, followed by enrolment of 24 children in the new and re-vamped infant classrooms at the Westside Children’s Center Wagner site in April. “This new program will allow us to further our Mission by bringing an even grater range of crucial services to our Westside community - pre-natal, center–based and family child care services for our highly underserved infant population”, said Rosa Arévalo, Director of ECE Services.
“We are very excited to have received this grant to expand Early Head Start here on the Westside,” said Tina Pedersen, Associate Director of Programs “We’ll be giving local children a great start on their future and education through Early Head Start , which also offers local families a lot of wonderful opportunities beyond the classroom.”
Westside Children’s Center has provided vital early care and education to children in need living on the Westside of Los Angeles for over 20 years. “Our staff is just thrilled to be able to expand this very exciting program in our area, which will make such a significant difference in the lives of infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families,” said Heather Carrigan, Executive Director of Westside Children’s Center. “We are dedicated to helping local families thrive, and this program is one more way to achieve that goal.”
Westside Children’s Center is a not-for-profit agency that provides comprehensive, integrated services to vulnerable children and their families afflicted by poverty and violence in areas of West Los Angeles. To learn more call 310-390-0551 or visit www.westsidechildrens.org
Interviews available: Rosa Arevalo, Early Child Education Director
