Early Head Start (EHS) is so much more than early learning. MFN’s EHS Centers provide early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive two-generational support services to low-income families with children six weeks through three years old”. Children who participate in EHS programs experience better physical, social, emotional, and intellectual outcomes than children without access to these life changing programs. At the same time, EHS supports adults’ efforts to fulfill their parental roles and move towards self-sufficiency. Download MFN's Early Head Start Annual Report here to learn all that we are doing to give Maryland's children a strong start.
Our EHS Centers are located in geographically diverse areas in welcoming settings where two-generational approaches show respect for both parents and children as individuals. EHS Centers build on the strengths of the family combined with high quality practices as laid out by the National Head Start Program Performance Standards. Centers strive to:
- Promote the full development and general competence of children and to reduce the occurrence of any emotional, physical, and/or social delays through appropriate preventative services;
- Support and strengthen caregiver-child-family interactions;
- Provide and/or refer for community resources necessary for increased parental self-sufficiency;
- Serve as a community where parents with young children can experience support and establish positive connections with others.
Since 1995, MFN has coordinated Maryland’s largest network of EHS programs. Together, these EHS Centers create a flexible, comprehensive, holistic, and integrated set of supports for infants, toddlers, and their families. MFN works in close partnership with local entities to accomplish this important work. As the coordinating agency, MFN provides contract management, resource development, network coordination, technical assistance, training, and monitoring to assure services are efficiently delivered to families participating in our Early Head Start programs.