What is Early Head Start?

A school readiness program that provides family-centered home-visiting services to income-qualifying families from prenatal to age 3 children. The program is designed to promote healthy child development while supporting parents/caregivers on their journey to fulfill their roles and to move toward self-sufficiency. Early Head Start is designed to nurture healthy attachments between parent/guardian/caregiver and child.
 

Program Goals:

  • Enhance the development of families from prenatal to age 3.
  • Promote healthy family functioning - working together with the family
  • School Readiness - ensuring children enter school ready to learn

Meeting Street serves eligible young children (prenatal to age 3) and their families in Providence, RI through our Early Head Start program. Our program can begin before birth with pregnant persons to ensure they have access to comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care.

"Meeting Street has provided me with the tools to support my child. I have learned many ways to play with her to help her progress."

Early Head Start Parent

Why Our Program Works

  • We collaborate with parents to assess the needs of their child and their family, creating a Family Partnership Agreement (FPA) to discuss community resources that could be of support and create goals.
  • Support can begin before children are born - through the prenatal health services and training to pregnant women - and continue through the child's third birthday.
  • We respect each family's home culture and language. Bilingual staff members and translation services are available to enhance communication.
  • We provide parent training, support groups and access to community resources so families can make connections that will enhance their connections.
  • Each month, parents can join the EHS Parent Committee—held in the evenings at Meeting Street or virtually. While parents connect, plan events, and provide input on program offerings, their children enjoy age-appropriate activities and social time with peers.
  • Policy Council - provides the opportunity for families to take leadership roles in discussing program operations.

Who is Eligible?

  • Families living in Providence, RI
  • Families who meet income guidelines
  • Families with children (newborn to 3 years old)

  • Pregnant women

     

This website is supported by Grant Number 01CH013004 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Meeting Street and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.