1. Early Head Start of Family Services Inc.
Part of the Sheppard Pratt Health Systems
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1908
640 E. Diamond Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

2. FSI Mission Statement
Family Services' mission is to promote the resilience, recovery and independence of individuals and families across the life span through integrated mental and physical health, social service, and education programs, thereby strengthening communities.

3. FSI Vision Statement
Family Services, Inc. will be at the forefront in the development and delivery of services that meet the needs of a culturally diverse and evolving community.
Family Services, Inc. is committed to providing its community with quality services. The goals and objectives for the period have been outlined in our Strategic Plan.

4. EHS Vision Statement
All eligible families will enroll in and be fully engaged in Early Head Start until the child turns 3 years old and transitions to another quality early childhood program. Families, staff, and community partners will collaborate to build a strong foundation for continuous success and family well-being.

5. Overall Program Goals
Support school readiness for at-risk children 0-3 years old
Support parents as child’s first teacher
Foster family self- sufficiency
Support parents to identify goals and plans for meeting those goals

6. What does the EHS Program Provide?
High quality, intensive child-centered services provided in the home or on-site at the child development center
Prenatal and child development education
Family goal setting and planning
Developmentally appropriate activities for children supporting school readiness
Referrals for assistance with food, health care, housing & more
Opportunities for family engagement and socialization
Opportunities for leadership and advocacy

7. Who is eligible? Pregnant woman or child birth-3 years old
-100% of FPG %
-130%+ considered over income
-all can apply, not guaranteed a spot
Categorically eligible: homeless, foster care, SSI, TANF -
Pregnant woman or child birth-3 years old
Live in upper Montgomery County (see map)
Be income eligible according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Categorically eligible

8. Program Overview In 2017-2018 In 2018-2019 136 children enrolled
36 in the center
100 in home visiting
We have a staff of 37 In
124 children enrolled
44 in the center
80 in home visiting
We have a staff of 37

9. Home Based Services

10. Home-Based Services
The Parents As Teachers (PAT) Curriculum is used to plan and implement child development activities and family well-being
Use home as child’s primary learning environment
Families receive one 90- minute visit per week
Pregnant women receive one 60-minute visit per week
Home visits are conducted by trained Family Support Workers with parent participation

11. Center Based

12. Center-Based Services
Discovery Station Child Development Center is open year- round
Operating hours are 7:30am-3:00pm
Center teachers use Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum to individualize lessons and assess and track child development
-all food, diapers, wipes, etc. provided for free by program for center children
-Infant classroom (12) slots typically reserved for teen parents (Gaithersburg and Watkins Mill HS)
-Additional slots filled by children whose parents are working or attending other types of educational/job development training

13. Keys to Success

14. Keys to Success Program
Free child care for teen parents
Transportation
After school tutoring and Summer program
Family engagement and leadership opportunities
Partnership with MC’s Educational Opportunities Center
-Summer program-10 weeks, comprehensive college readiness, career exploration, parenting and health education
-EOC-assistance with accessing higher ed and alternative post-secondary programs.

15. Family Engagement Opportunities
Group Socializations
Discovery Days
Learning Communities
Parent Workshops
Male Involvement Events
Parent Committees
Policy Council
NHSA & MHSA Parent Conferences

16. Planning and Support for Family Engagement Events
Parent Interest Survey
Transportation
Child Care
Meals and Snacks
Interpretation

17. Group Socialization
As part of children’s learning experience, Head Start Performance Standards requires the program to provide at least two Group Socialization meetings per month for families enrolled in the Home Based component.
Children and parents will have the opportunity to play, participate in group discussion topics, (such as, safety, nutrition, parenting, etc.) and interact with other families in the home-based part of the program.
Most important of all, strengthen the relationship between parent and child.

18. Discovery Days
Early Head Start Discovery Station, also provides Group Socialization meetings throughout the year for families enrolled in the center-based component. These are called Discovery Days.
Parents and children have the opportunity to play, participate in group discussion about social emotional topics, strengthening the relationship between parent and child, and to interact with other families enrolled in the center-based part of the program.

19. Learning Community Series
The Learning Community Series is a ten-session series that is provided during the year. The Series gives parents the opportunity to learn about different topics related to their family’s health and well-being and participate in group discussions.
A facilitator will guide group discussion where the parents will have the opportunity to learn from each other about child’s development, family relationships, and community resources.

20. Parent Workshops
Parent Workshops are designed to provide families with opportunities to engage in learning related to their child and their family.
Yearly, EHS families complete a Parent Interest Survey. The information collected is utilized to select topics of parent’s interest.

21. Male Involvement
Father/Male Figure engagement plays a vital role on the growth and development of all children.
It is an integral aspect of parent, family, and community engagement efforts in Head Start and Early Head Start.
Children growing up in low-income and single-parent homes often have a regular and consistent relationship with a male figure who is not necessarily their biological father.
EHS provides opportunities for any male figure to come and be engaged in activities related to the child’s development and well-being.

22. Parent Committee
The Parent Committee is required by the Federal government for all Head Start/Early Head Start Programs.
In FSI EHS, all parents are automatically members of the Parent Committee.
The Parent Committee is organized and run by parents who have been elected as Parent Representatives on the Policy Council.
Parent Committees are a chance for parents to have input into their child’s education.
Program updates are provided and topics related to program governance and program activities are discussed and parent feedback and input is collected and shared with the Policy Council and EHS Leadership.

23. Policy Council
Every Head Start and Early Head Start program has a policy council responsible for the direction of the program. This includes program design and operation, and long- and short-term planning goals and objectives, taking into account the annual communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment and self-assessment.
In The Early Head Start Discovery Center are three program components are represented on the Policy Council:
Home Visiting
Child Development Center
The Keys to Success-Teen Parents.

24. Additional Supports Available
Registered Nurse
Nutrition Consultant
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Behavioral and Developmental Specialist

25. Questions? Program Director: Jody Burghardt 301-840-3271