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Children First is proud to offer a wide range of programs designed to meet the individual needs of each child and family.
Children First provides children with the care and tools necessary to succeed in school, as well as for a lifetime of success. Based on the national Head Start and Early Head Start program models, Children First provides full-day, year round early education using recognized curricula and assessment tools. Barriers to success which might stem from a child’s health or developmental issues are identified and addressed. Our well-trained staff provides a stimulating and nurturing environment at each of our locations across the county.
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Early Head Start
Early Head Start promotes healthy prenatal outcomes, enhances the development of infants and toddlers (from birth to three years of age) and promotes healthy family functioning. The program was initiated in 1995 in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter most to children's growth and development.
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Head Start
Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness for three and four year old children by enhancing their social and cognitive development through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services. The program was launched in 1965 to support low-income children and their families across the United States.
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Early Childhood Education
Modeled after the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, these services are for families who do not meet income guidelines, but would still be considered working poor. Families may qualify for free or low cost services. We also provide services for Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program.
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Families First Institute
Our Families First Institute offers family strengthening services focusing on family stabilization to further enhance the lives of Head Start, Early Head Start, and the community families we serve. Programs include the Nurturing Dads Initiative (with over 1,330 graduates), Career Readiness for Women, and Grand Champions (for grandparents and other relatives raising young family members).
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Elaine's Kids
Elaine’s Kids provides culturally sensitive early childhood educational opportunities for children and families for which English is their second language. Our enhanced curriculum provides both teacher training and coaching to help meet the linguistic diversity needs of our families. Both children and parents benefit from Elaine’s Kids, through an enriching summer program for the children, and Family Engagement activities for the parents that works toward improving adult literacy skills.
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Additionally, all families are assigned a Family Advocate, ensuring that the entire family’s basic needs are being met at home and school. Family Advocates provide support and referrals that my involve housing, food, clothing, employment, or health care needs.
A primary objective of Children First is to assist low-income families in achieving self-sufficiency and obtaining the skills needed for successful parenting. We encourage parents to be employed, receive job training, or to be enrolled in an educational program.
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