The Children’s Center received good news this week. The Administration for Children and Families conducted an on-site monitoring review of the Children’s Center’s Early Head Start program in June. The Head Start Review Report has been issued, and the Children’s Center was found to be in full compliance.

“This is great news for our Early Head Start program,” said Barbara Mease, Executive Director of the Children’s Center. “Our mission states that we provide creative, quality programs, and because this review is so comprehensive, it shows that we are doing just that.”

Early Head Start programs are reviewed in the areas of health services, nutrition services, safe environments, transportation services, mental health services, family and community services, education and early childhood development services, fiscal management and program design and management.

“Based on the information gathered during our review, it was determined that your Early Head Start program is in compliance with all applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards, laws, regulations, and policy requirements,” the organization’s report states. “Accordingly, no corrective action is required at this time.”

“We are excited about this great report, and we will continue to improve our program,” said Tamie Rittenhouse, Early Head Start Director. “We welcome the review team every three years, because we know it will help us provide the best services we can for our families.”

Early Head Start provides services to low-income pregnant women and families with children under the age of three living in Suffolk, Franklin, Southampton and Isle of Wight.

Early Head Start provides early childhood education, family and health services. All children are provided with developmental screenings. The program regards families as the primary educators of their children.

Services for the families are offered through a variety of options, including full-time and part-time childcare and home visits for parent education and support. Children who have disabilities are included.

Currently, the Children’s Center is funded to serve 148 children and pregnant women throughout Western Tidewater.