Created in 1995

68 programs

Based on recommendations from◦ Advisory Committee on Services for Families with

Infants and Toddlers in September 1994

Scientifically based curriculum Parent education and involvement Home visits in addition to parent

conferences by education staff Full complement of comprehensive services Social service staff – resource and referrals Transition Community collaborations Meeting needs of special populations

Basic EHS philosophy is that the healthy development of young children (especially those birth to age 3) is contingent upon healthy relationships with the important adults in their lives

Cognitive and physical developmental gains are achieved through these relationships

Kindergarten readiness is a combination of all three

Home basedCenter basedFamily child careExpectant womenCombination

Weekly home visits◦ 90 minutes◦ Focus on parent/child

relationships◦ Child development◦ Parental goals toward

self-sufficiency◦ Resource and referral

Bi monthly socializations

Primary care-givers

Continuity of care

Social service staff

Small group size

Home visits bi-monthly

2-4 days group

Parent education and involvement

Specific regulations

Educators must have CDA within 2 years

Must use curriculum based on scientific research

Home visits, full complement of comprehensive services

Individualized schedule of visit

Some visits include nurse

Education on:◦ Breastfeeding◦ Post-partum depression◦ Fetal development

Includes partners Birth plan

Benefits for children Benefits to parents

◦ Higher scores in cognitive, language and social-emotional development

◦ Less aggressive behaviors

◦ More attentive during play with fathers

◦ Increased gains when enrolled early

◦ More supportive parenting

◦ Higher number of language and learning rich environments

◦ Read to child more◦ Spanked less◦ More self-sufficient◦ Greater health benefits◦ Fathers were less

intrusive in play