Early Head Start Awarded $400,000 Grant to initiate and expand services in Kent & New Castle County

WASHINGTON, DC -Senator Tom Carper announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Northern Delaware Early Head Start $402,000 in grants to initiate a program in Kent County and expand existing services in New Castle County. The increased funding will provide Delaware’s low- income families with needed support to ensure that first time parents and families transitioning from welfare to work are armed with the knowledge and resources to succeed. “Many parents work two and three jobs, keeping them away from their families during the evenings. These funds ensure that more Delaware families are helped while transitioning from welfare to work,” Carper said. “Early Head Start works with families to ensure that their children are cared for, that parenting skills are taught and community resources are explained. I applaud their commitment to helping children by helping families.” Northern Delaware Early Head Start (NDEHS) promotes healthy development of children with disabilities and children of low-income families. Its primary clients are pregnant women, and families with infants and toddlers up to age three. NDEHS provides home visits, family education, nutrition and prenatal education, as well as childcare while collaborating with a consortium of agencies throughout the county. “We truly appreciate the time and effort Senator Carper devotes to supporting early childhood programs and policies that support families and young children,” said Martha Buell, Director of Northern Delaware’s Early Head Start. Partnerships between Early Head Start and community-based groups have helped the program flourish. As part of the expansion process NDEHS will renew and seek out new partnerships. Working together, the funds will allow NDEHS and Easter Seals, a long time partner, to open a full day, full year childcare center for children of low-income families and children with disabilities in New Castle.