Early Head Start
Did you know the human brain develops more quickly between birth and age 3 than any other period in life? In fact, it forms more than one million new neural connections every single second. Babies who are properly nurtured by their parents and have positive early learning experiences, good health and nutrition, are more apt to have stronger neural connections that lay a strong foundation to help them as they develop and mature. Babies who don’t get what their brains need to thrive, on the other hand, don’t develop as well, which leads to life-long challenges developmentally, educationally, socially, and health-wise.
Is Early Head Start Right for My Family?
Research shows that Early Head Start improves a child’s success in school, leads to greater family self-sufficiency, and encourages parents to support their child’s development. Early Head Start is an evidence-based and community-driven program that supports the healthy development of babies, toddlers, and pregnant women to ensure that all children have the same opportunities to succeed.
Early Head Start caters to families whose incomes are below the federal poverty line or receive governmental assistance (TANF or SSI). Those who are automatically eligible include children less than 3 years old who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness. Early Head Start creates opportunities for young parents and their very young children while guiding parents toward success for better economic security.
Presbyterian Medical Services’ Early Head Start programs:
- Provide child development services through high quality early childhood education settings or weekly home visits with program staff.
- Partner with parents to support them in parenting and shaping their children’s development.
- Address the multiple risks of poverty through a full range of individualized services for young children and their families, including child development, health and mental health, nutrition, and family support services.
PMS Early Head Start centers are located in the following areas of New Mexico:
- San Juan County: Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, Kirtland
- Santa Fe County: Santa Fe, Arroyo Seco, Nambe
- Sandoval County: Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Cuba
- Torrance County: Moriarty, Estancia, Mountainair
