Early Impact

I just came back from working with a wonderful group in the Central Valley that will be opening an Early Head Start soon. What an energized group of dedicated ladies!!! ( Ok, a few guys too, but mostly ladies!!). This program is close to my heart for MANY reasons, but this biggest reason is that this program can change lives, at the most vulnerable part... the very beginning!!

For starters, my eldest daughter was a Head Start child, which means I was a Head Start parent. I could not have finished nursing school if not for their help with quality preschool for my daughter. This isn't day care folks, this is a comprehensive preschool program that focuses on health, nutrition, education,parent involvement, and more..... and it is FREE! I always felt good leaving her there, and that helped keep me motivated to finish school as a single mom at the time.
Now Early Head Start is just like it's name, EARLY! Not a preschool program, this "little sister" of Head Start focuses on Prenatal and birth to three years of age. Their focus is on helping you have a healthy pregnancy, education on fetal development, labor, breast feeding, and infant bonding and development ( and much more!). What new parent couldn't use all that???
I was the Maternal Child Health and Disabilities Coordinator ( yes, both of these programs WELCOME children with special needs) for the Fresno program for 5 years and it was here that my passion for working with expecting families grew and evolved, so basically, what you get from me today is a direct result of Head Start and Early Head Start!!!
Both programs are free and are designed to give low income families priority enrollment and to help them move forward in their lives. Families that take advantage of what these programs have to offer to the full extent indeed can change their lives.
Do you know a family with 3-5 year olds, a pregnant lady, a baby or young child? Has our recent economy put them into the lower income bracket? Tell them about these programs!! Some are all day programs, for teens there might be a child care option,some are home visit options with a socialization time ( think Gymboree for free! Beautiful areas for your infants and toddlers!) all are culturally and linguistically friendly.
Our local one is located at 1920 Mariposa Mall, downtown for the main office, first floor for Early, 2nd floor for Preschool age.
559-263-1550 for Early, 263-1200 for Preschool age.