Early Head Start Grant Program
Abriendo Puertas Graduation Ceremony
MISSION
Provide comprehensive Early Head Start services, including health and education, to guarantee simultaneous language development, school readiness, and families’ self-sufficiency.
VISION
Be the premier Early Head Start Program for young Dual Language Learners and their families.
The University of Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), College of Education in partnership with Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) and Child Care Centers in the PSJA ISD geographic areas provide comprehensive, high-quality services to 372 infants and toddlers from low income families through an Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CC). This partnership enhances and supports center-based early learning settings to provide full-day, full-year comprehensive services that meet the needs of low-income infants and toddlers and their families; it also enhances access to high-quality, full-time child care for infants and toddlers and supports their development through strong relationship-based experiences. This partnership develops young children’s readiness for school and prepares them for a seamless transition from Early Head Start to Head Start, to Pre-K and on to Kindergarten, allowing for a zero (0) to (5) continuum and academic success.
The College of Education at UTRGV serves as the Grantee and PSJA ISD serves as the Early Head Start Delegate who provides direct comprehensive services to 372 low income infants and toddlers in center-based learning environments that are designated in a PSJA campus and in licensed child care centers in Pharr and Alamo. Comprehensive Services foster the infants’ and toddlers’ physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development to ensure each child reaches his or her optimal potential and is ready for Pre-K and Kinder.
A birth-to-age-five curriculum continuum will facilitate the child’s development and academic achievement. Successful transitioning of children between programs will be supported by established channels of communication between and among staff from EHS and HS programs, the PSJA ISD and local providers of early childhood programs and centers. UTRGV will continue participating beyond the funding period as a partner for providing professional development of staff.
Community services and agencies also provide services to eligible low income families of the children enrolled in EHS. Services such as, parenting education, professional development opportunities, and adult education, enable low income families to secure employment, attend college or obtain job training certificates and move toward self-sufficiency. Other services may include counseling, screening and assessment and crisis management counseling. Information and referrals for community services such as, public transportation, mental health, medical services, preventive health care, also ensure that the goal of providing comprehensive services to low income infants and toddlers is continual.
Program Location
Where the program is located so we can map it out
Buckner: 1001 North Fir Street. Pharr, TX, 78577
