Head Start is a national program that supports children’s growth and development from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development, health, family well-being, and family engagement. Head Start staff actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes. Our program is home-based and locally designed for the community we serve. Our home-based model is structured to capitalize on the learning opportunities in the home environment and recognizes parents as their child’s first and most important teacher.
During weekly home visits, Home Visitors help parents to identify opportunities to support their child’s learning during ordinary experiences that happen each day, such as preparing a meal, walking to the store, or taking a bath. Home Visitors and parents also work together to identify family goals and the supports needed to achieve them.
Our program focuses on:
- Education
- Physical, Mental, and Oral Health
- Nutrition
- Social Services
Head Start provides:
- Weekly home visits with an individualized curriculum
- Parent/child activities around the Island
- Parent education groups
- Parent involvement and leadership opportunities
- Health and developmental screenings
- Family activities
- Kindergarten transition supports
“Our home visitor was the missing piece to understanding our child’s behaviors. Her support allowed our child to thrive and also gave unconditional support for the parents and allowed us to achieve so many goals as a family.” – Participant
Eligibility:
This is a free program offered to families who meet the eligibility requirements and families who are experiencing special circumstances recognized by Head Start, such as homelessness. All interested families are encouraged to complete an application.
This website is supported by Grant Number 01CH01127801 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.