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EARLY HEAD START

Infants and Toddlers up to 3 years old

National studies have found that the first five years of life, and in particular the first two years regarding brain development, are critical to the development of a child’s ability to understand language and acquire the social skills needed to succeed in school. When young children are responded to with love; when adults talk to them, answer their endless questions, find ways to encourage them safely to explore; and when they are in safe and secure surroundings that stimulate their curiosity, they thrive.

A group of children riding tricycles in a playground.

Informed by both scientific research and specific community needs, ICC has designed and operates a full-day, year-round program for 72 Early Head Start (EHS) families. The BASIC GOALS are to:

Provide safe and developmentally enriching care and education in environments promoting the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of infants and toddlers

Prepare children for future growth and development;

Support parents in their role as primary caregivers and educators of their children in meeting personal goals and in achieving self-sufficiency across a wide variety of domains

Mobilize communities through partnerships to provide the resources necessary to ensure a comprehensive, integrated array of services for children and families

Raise the educational level of the early childhood workforce through intensive professional development and increased access to advanced education