Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center

What is Early Head Start?
Early Head Start was created by the U.S. Congress in the reauthorization of the Head Start Act in 1994. Early Head Start incorporates current research and best practice in providing services to low-income young children and their families.

Who is eligible for Early Head Start?
Early Head Start is a child development program primarily for low income families who meet the Federal poverty guidelines. The Head Start Program Performance Standards require that at least 10 percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities be made available to children with special needs. Head Start programs are also allowed to enroll 10 percent of families that are over income. Once enrolled, children are eligible for EHS until 3 years of age or when they are transitioned into an appropriate preschool setting.

What are the Federal poverty guidelines?

2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines

Persons in Family or Household	48 Contiguous States and D.C.	Alaska	Hawaii
1	10,000	13,000	11,960
2	14,000	17,500	16,100
3	17,600	22,000	20,240
4	21,200	26,500	24,380
5	24,800	31,000	28,520
6	28,400	35,500	32,660
7	32,000	40,000	36,800
8	33,600	42,000	38,640
For each additional person, add	3,600	4,500	4,150

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 15, January 23, 2008, pp. 3971-3972

What services does Early Head Start provide?
Child Development
Health Services
Mental Health
Nutrition Services
Family Support
Disabilities
Community Partnerships
Pregnant Women

How does Early Head Start provide services?
Each Early Head Start program completes a community needs assessment to determine program options. The Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center provides two options.
1. Home base option
2. Childcare option

What is the home base option?
A home visitor will visit your home weekly for about 1½ hours. The date and time are determine by the families schedule. The home visitor may provide services evenings and weekends too. During the home visit, the home visitor along with the parents and children will do a variety of developmental activities, may discuss the family's strengths and concerns, talk about health and nutrition, etc. The home visit --- is determined by the child and family. The Home Visitor will complete developmental screenings (Denver II) and assessments (E-LAP) along with health screenings (hearing, vision and dental) with your help.
The home base option includes a socialization time (play groups) offered twice a month. Parents and children come together to enjoy the company of others. This is a great time for children to learn to play together and parents to talk with other parents. Many times the parents get together to plan field trips or topics to discuss at socialization time.

What is the childcare option?
Our Early Head Start program partners with child care centers in the community to provide Early Head Start services at the child care center. The children are enrolled in the childcare center and Early Head Start staff (childcare liaison) ensures the children are receiving quality care. The childcare liaison trains the childcare staff, completes developmental screenings (Denver II) and assessments (Ounce Scale), along with health screenings (hearing, vision and dental) and helps the family with social service issues.

Early Head Start Located at: 2201 Salisbury Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210

Phone: 412-431-4339 Fax: 412-431-2169

Email to: lruth@cotraic.org