By Jessica Vician

For many people, it’s easy to become a parent. It’s more difficult to become a good parent who knows how to nurture each of their child’s needs to help him or her succeed. It’s even harder when the parent lacks the financial means to enlist quality support.

Early Head Start and Head Start programs provide that support to help these parents and their children receive quality education and services that give them the opportunities to succeed.

Head Start is a program that has helped over 32 million children and families prepare for school and life, according to the National Head Start Association (NHSA). The program provides children—regardless of their financial circumstances at birth—with education, health, parent involvement, and social services to help them and their families prepare for school and life.

Similarly, the YOU Program is dedicated to providing parents with the knowledge and tools needed to nurture a child’s four core developmental areas—physical health, social well-being, emotional well-being, and academic achievement—in order to succeed in school and in life.

The commitment of both programs to a child’s overall wellness and success ensures a unique and strong partnership that aids Early Head Start and Head Start centers in reaching their family engagement outcomes and in meeting the new Head Start Performance Standards.  Continue reading →