Supporting what all families need to thrive.

Early Head Start is the only federal program dedicated to comprehensively promoting healthy child and family development for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers living in families with incomes below the poverty line. As a two-generation program, Early Head Start creates opportunities for both parents and children, helping parents improve their economic security while ensuring their children are on a solid path to engage in lifelong learning. 

As the economic and social aftermath of COVID-19 continues, Early Head Start is poised to offer babies safe care and crucial developmental services; support families in finding work and dealing with the losses and stresses of the pandemic and its aftermath; and work at the community level to address the needs of young children and families most vulnerable to the pandemic’s long term impacts.    

Funding Early Head Start

Early Head Start promotes the healthy development of babies, toddlers, and pregnant women to ensure that all children have the same opportunities to succeed. However, this critical program’s current funding only allows it to serve 7% of eligible families. Each year, Congress has the opportunity to increase funding for Early Head Start through the Appropriations process.