Early Head Start's 25th Year Anniversary - History and Impact

Summary

This video celebrates the history and impact of the Early Head Start program on families, communities, and the nation. Key figures like John Lombardi, Patti Cole, and Frank Fuentes discuss the program's beginnings, while agency directors and staff share their experiences implementing Early Head Start services. The video highlights the comprehensive nature of the program, its commitment to high-quality early developmental services, and its enduring support for vulnerable children and families. Testimonials from parents and staff underscore the transformative impact of Early Head Start, advocating for its expansion and continued success.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Early Head Start celebrates its history and impact on families, communities, and the nation during Head Start Awareness Month.
• 👶 The program started in 1965, initially serving preschool children, but expanded to include infants and toddlers by 1995.
• 🌟 Early Head Start focuses on serving vulnerable children and families, offering support from prenatal stages through early childhood.
• 🏠 The program collaborates with community partners and integrates services to provide comprehensive support to families.
• 📚 Early Head Start helps address issues such as lack of health insurance, untreated health conditions, and early language development.
• 💡 The program emphasizes the importance of early childhood education and development, starting from birth.
• 🤝 Early Head Start involves parents in the program, providing them opportunities for leadership and personal development.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The program supports diverse families, including migrant workers, by offering tailored services to meet their unique needs.
• 🎓 The success of Early Head Start is evident in the stories of staff and parents who have benefited from the program and now contribute back to it.
• 🌍 There is a strong emphasis on expanding the reach of Early Head Start to serve more eligible children across the country, aiming to alleviate poverty and support child development.

Q & A

Who is Wassi Tesfa and what is his role?

Wassi Tesfa is the Executive Director of Pacific Clinic's Head Start Early Head Start Program in Los Angeles, California. He is also the chair of the Region Nine Head Start Association.

What is the significance of the video mentioned in the script?

The video is meant to celebrate the history and impact of Early Head Start on families, communities, and the nation during the month of October, which is Head Start Awareness Month.

What is the role of Denise Lee in the Early Head Start program?

Denise Lee is the Deputy Director for the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency Head Start and Early Head Start programs in California.

What was the historical context of Early Head Start in relation to migrant programs?

Migrant programs had been serving infants and toddlers for 20 years before Early Head Start was introduced. The migrant programs had to use preschool per child funding to serve infants and toddlers, which was a struggle due to the higher costs associated with serving younger children.

What was the significance of the 1990s in the development of Early Head Start?

The 1990s saw a focus on serving younger children, with President Clinton's administration showing interest in expanding Head Start. The period also saw the reauthorization of Head Start in 1990, which focused on directing more money to quality.

What was the initial funding for Early Head Start grants?

The initial funding for Early Head Start grants was about 900 million dollars, with approximately 66 grants released in November of 1995.

What is the role of the Fatherhood Program in Early Head Start?

The Fatherhood Program is a 24/7 curriculum that focuses on the importance of being a father, improving knowledge for fathers, and giving them the skills to be better parents.

How has Early Head Start impacted the community and families?

Early Head Start has helped families change their lives by enabling parents to go back to school, find employment, and receive necessary services. It has also helped improve children's language development and social-emotional skills.

What is the role of the policy council executive board in Early Head Start?

The policy council executive board in Early Head Start is responsible for opening doors to experiences and opportunities for parents within the program, and it has been instrumental in helping parents become staff members.

What is the future outlook for Early Head Start as mentioned in the script?

The script suggests that there is a need to expand the program to all eligible children across the country, recognizing the enduring features of Head Start and Early Head Start that have supported families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.