October is Head Start Awareness Month! Head Start programs are known for promoting school readiness and supporting low-income families by providing childcare learning options that caters to the family’s pace. Durham’s Partnership for Children houses the Durham Early Head Start Program, catering to families with children 0-3 and pregnant women. Our Early Head Start program is free to those accepted and meet the income and need qualifications. To ensure your child is learning at a pace that best suits their learning needs, we offer Home Base and Center Base programs. If you are a parent of a child 3 and under in Durham County, or knows someone who will benefit from this program share this post with them! 

Center-Based Services: for families who demonstrate need for child care services 

• Children receive 10-hour, full-year child care in one of our partnering centers. 
• Early Head Start teachers and staff provide a nurturing, stimulating and individualized learning environment. 
• Family Service Coordinators meet individually with parents to provide information, resources and support. 
• Regular attendance is expected. 
• Transportation is not provided to child care centers (bus passes are available). 

Home-Based Services: for families to use their home as the place for learning 

• Families receive one 90-minute home visit per week from a Home Visitor who is trained in the research-based Parents as Teachers curriculum. 
• Parents participate in learning activities designed to enhance their child’s learning and receive information and support on parenting issues, as well as resource and referral information. 
• Expecting families receive home visits at least once per month from a Home Visitor who is trained in the research-based Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum. 
• Expecting families receive information and support on having a healthy pregnancy, as well as resource and referral information. 
• Families and expecting families have an opportunity to attend a Play Group with other children and families twice per month. 
• Home visits are available in Spanish and English. 
• Regular attendance is expected. 

Who is eligible? 

• Families in Durham who are expecting or who have a child under the age of 3 (a child who will be 2 or younger as of August 31st). 
• Foster children, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI), regardless of income. 
• Children with documented disabilities may be eligible regardless of income. 
• Families who meet income eligibility as determined by Federal Poverty Guidelines (2020). 

Start Your Application by clicking here