Programs & Services
Child Inc Head Start Expansion Grant Programs
Early Head Start: Home-Based Support
Mission:
The Child Inc Early Head Start Expansion Grant Program provides support to eligible families which have children from the ages of birth to just three years old. A Child Inc parent educator will visit with the family once a week and provide information and activities designed to increase the child's social, emotional and cognitive readiness for school. Home visitations also support the development of a strong bond between the child and his/her parent(s).
Program Description:
The Child Inc Head Start Expansion Grant Program provides families with weekly home visits by a trained and compassionate visiting teacher. In addition to the support she brings to the family, the EHS program provides the family with these additional services:
- Monthly parent meetings that provide parents a chance to meet other parents in the program.
- Medical and dental screenings and services for enrolled children.
- Assistance in meeting family goals for economic stability and safety through community resources
- Socializations where children and their families get together to play and learn more about child development and parenting techniques
The Child Inc visiting teachers use the nationally known "Parents as Teachers" curriculum. This curriculum provides families with developmental information as well as activities designed to foster the development of the child and the relationship between the child and his/her parent(s).
Head Start: School and Home-Based Support
Mission:
The Child Inc Head Start Expansion Grant Program provides home and school support to those families with children who are exhibiting challenging behaviors in the pre-Kindergarten classroom and/or home environment.
Program Description:
The Child Inc Head Start Expansion Grant Program provides families with support for a child in both the child's classroom and home environment. Two Child Inc staff members provide support to families in this program. A Head Start classroom assistant will work with the child's teacher in the classroom to help the child be successful in the school environment. A Head Start visiting teacher will visit with the child once a week and provide information designed to foster positive relations in the home. Both the classroom assistant and the visiting teacher work as a team for the family. Their mission is to establish a string communication flow between the school and home.
As part of the HS Expansion Grant Program, Child Inc provides the following supplemental services to eligible and enrolled children:
- Monthly parent meetings that provide parents a chance to meet other parents in the program
- Mental health services for families
- Medical and dental screenings and services for enrolled children
- Assistance in meeting family goals for economic stability and safety through community resources
A family's visiting teacher can also provide the family with links to other social services available in the Austin area.
Therapeutic Intervention Program
In-home private and confidential counseling services are available to families in both the EHS and HS Expansion Grant Programs. Families may chose to visit with a counselor in their homes once, twice, or a number of times. Counselors provide support to parents who may be experiencing changes in their lives or just need someone to talk to.
Eligibility Guidelines
To be eligible for Expansion Grant services, families must meet the following income guidelines:
| Persons in Family |
2011 Poverty Income Guidelines |
| 1 |
10,890 |
| 2 |
14,710 |
| 3 |
18,530 |
| 4 |
22,350 |
| 5 |
26,170 |
| 6 |
29,990 |
| 7 |
33,810 |
| 8 |
37,630 |
| For each additional person, add: |
3,820 |
Contact Information
If you are interested in finding out more about the Early Head Start and Head Start Expansion Grant Programs, please contact the program receptionist at (512) 451-7361 extension 216 or email us at challengingbehavior@childinc.org
