Early Head Start offers child development, early education and family support

Early Head Start is a free program for expectant mothers and families with infants and toddlers ages birth to 36 months who live in Northumberland County.

The program's philosophy is “the parent is the child’s first and most important teacher.” Parents learn how to provide for their child’s needs and stimulate development. Also, parents help make decisions and offer feedback about the program at parent meetings and monthly policy council meetings.

Families learn to access available resources in their communities. Interaction among parents, community and staff is important to ensure the program’s success.

Children with disabilities are welcome and included in all aspects of the program. In collaboration with CSIU Early Intervention and Northumberland County MH/MR, identification and intervention services are available.

Home-based program

Families enrolled in the home-based program participate in weekly home visits where information is provided for educational and developmental growth. To encourage social interaction, families are invited to attend the center twice a month where fun activities and a healthy snack are provided.

Services

Infants and toddlers in the Early Head Start program receive several health screenings within the first 45 days of enrollment, including vision, hearing and developmental screenings, and social emotional screenings. Participants’ medical and dental visits are tracked by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) on staff.

Expectant mothers are visited weekly in the home where lessons are provided on health, nutrition and child development topics. Each trimester during pregnancy, an LPN visits and discusses any concerns the pregnant mother may have. At birth, the baby becomes enrolled in the Early Head Start program.

Locations

Centers are located at the Shamokin Annex as well as Grace S. Beck Elementary.