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 The latest buzz at Early Head Start… 

 Tracking Child Development Progress…

Introducing our new Child Development Assessment:
High/Scope Child Observation Record for Infants and toddlers!

Your infant or toddler changes in many ways almost daily!   He or she is learning to communicate and interact with the world- with toys, everyday objects, and people.  As exciting as it is to watch your child grow, it can also leave you leave you wondering – where is my child headed?  What should I be watching for next?  How can I help my child be all that he or she can be?   To support your child as he or she experiences this constant change process, it helps if you know what signs of development to look for and what he will be learning and doing next.  Mountain States Early Head Start selected the High/Scope Child Observation Record for Infants and Toddlers (I-T COR) because it provides a wonderful map of children’s development from 6 weeks to their third birthday and it can guide you in supporting your child as he or she grows.

 Your Family Consultant will be introducing you to the Infant-Toddler COR during a Home Visit.   You will have the opportunity to go over the Parent-Guide to I-T COR, learn about the benefits of the new assessment, and explore some of the new changes to our child development services.  We invite you to ask lots of questions, share your ideas, and be a full partner in learning  all the special things about your child. 

For more information check out OnlineCor.net 

What Is Early Head Start?

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development, health, nutritional, social and other services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on assisting children develop skills that will help them be successful in school. While preschool Head Start has been around since the 1960’s, Early Head Start was established in 1995 to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children’s growth and development.

Head Start programs engage parents in their children’s learning and help them in making progress toward their own educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs. 

Who can enroll?

Pregnant women may enroll as soon as they know they are pregnant and infants and toddlers may participate in the program beginning at birth until their third birthday.  Families must have an income at or below the federal poverty level to qualify.  Foster children and those whose families are homeless do not have to show proof of income to qualify.  The Mountain States Early Head Start (MSEHS) service area is in the northern panhandle of Idaho and includes Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hauser, Spirit Lake and Athol and surrounding areas in Kootenai County and Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Hope and surrounding area in Bonner County.

There are all kinds of families enrolled at EHS: single mothers and fathers, two parent families, blended families, grandparents raising grandchildren and foster parents.  We hope that fathers and mothers both will participate in home visits and all the other EHS activities available. In addition to parents, extended families often volunteer or attend EHS events.  All of these people are important in children’s lives and we welcome their participation.

MSEHS Mission

To work in partnership with our communities to nurture the growth and development of children and families.

Core Values

• We believe a strong parent child relationship is important to each child’s development.
• We believe parents are the child’s first and most important teacher.
• We believe feeling confident and competent is important to parents.
• We believe parents are full partners in decision making.
• We respect each other, encourage teamwork and honor individuality.
• We believe learning is a lifelong process.
• We promote a healthy lifestyle for staff and families.
• We appreciate flexibility and innovation in order to meet the changing needs of staff, families, children and communities.
• We play an active role in our communities and encourage community input and involvement.
• We engage in open communication with each other and address our concerns directly with the person(s) involved.
• We are responsible stewards of our funds and are efficient and cost conscious in all operations.
• We strive to increase current funding and actively explore new sources of funds.