Children First

Head Start - Serving at-risk and economically vulnerable families with young children, Head Start is a program tailored for children three to five years of age which provides early education, health, dental, vision, hearing and developmental screenings, and coordination of appropriate therapies to address the individual childs needs. Services also include support for the entire family through family strengthening classes and individual family goal setting to achieve economic self sufficiency. 268 children were served during the 2023 calendar year (for the 2022-23 academic year - 174 children were served from Jan - June; 94 additional children were enrolled from August - December). This is an unduplicated count. Program of Excellence designation renewal obtained in 2023 designating Children First amongst the top 1% of Head Start / Early Head Start programs nationwide.

Early Childhood Education - The Early Childhood Education program is based on the Head Start/Early Head Start model This program is for children six weeks to five years of age. The children and families receive high quality services and are provided very significant scholarship support. In addition to the 11 full time Early Childhood Education clients, Children First served 72 children in extended before and after care programs on average each month. The summer learning program served 216 children (duplicated count), which includes children who were served during the school year in Head Start or Early Head Start programs in 2023.

Early Head Start - Also serving at-risk and economically vulnerable families with very young children, Early Head Start is a program designed for expectant families and their children, birth to three years of age. Following the comprehensive Head Start model, program provides children and families with a wide array of early childhood development, health, and support services. 278 children were served during the 2023 calendar year (for the 2022/23 academic year - 200 children were served from Jan - June; 78 additional children were enrolled from August - December). This is an unduplicated count. Program of Excellence designation renewal obtained in 2023.

Families First Initiative - This comprehensive family strengthening program offers a variety of services focusing on family strengthening, engagement and enrichment programs. $98,569 Other Program Services - $831,424 Families First Institute Summary of Classes and Activities January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023: Nurturing Dads Class - 2 series of classes, Job Skills Training Class - 3 series of classes, Budgeting & Family Finances - 5 series of classes, Positive Solutions For Families - 4 series of classes, Circle of Security - 5 series of classes, ESOL English for Speakers of Other languages - 8 series of classes