Family Building Blocks

Early Head Start

What is Early Head Start?

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income pregnant women and families with infants or toddlers.

EHS provides:

  • Center-based classroom time & home visits or
  • Home visits & parent group time
  • Health/nutrition screenings, education & support
  • Access to community resources, including physical & mental health services
  • Group activities for children & parents
  • Parenting workshops

Benefits of EHS classroom time

  • Early education for your child
  • Enhancement of your child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development
  • Early intervention for speech or motor delays
  • Low staff-to-child ratios

Benefits of EHS home-based services

Your child's first and most important teacher is you – the parent. The home is the family's classroom. Home visits bring:

  • Activities
  • Support, encouragement and parenting information
  • Awareness of child development
  • Parent-child activities
  • Understanding of how children learn
  • Positive discipline tips
  • Ideas on managing a busy household
  • Assistance with employment and education … and much more!

Who can apply for Early Head Start?

Head Start is open to all families who meet the following:

  • You live in the Salem-Keizer School District catchment areas for Battlecreek, Bush, Cesar Chavez, Four Corners, Lee, Liberty, Mary Eyre, McKinley, Miller, Morningside, Pringle, Salem Heights, Schirle, Sumpter, Wright, and Washington Elementary Schools
  • You are a pregnant woman or expectant father
  • You have a child birth to age 3
  • You meet income guidelines

Early Head Start Application (PDF)
English | Spanish

Early Head Start Principles

Early Head Start promotes and supports early childhood development, family development, and community development for families in Marion County.

  • High Quality
  • Early Detection of Developmental Concerns
  • Promotion of Healthy Development
  • Positive Relationships
  • High Level of Parent Involvement
  • Inclusion of Children with Disabilities
  • Support and Respect for Your Culture
  • Flexibility & Responsiveness