Economic and Employment Support
Services and Access Section
Kansas Early Head Start
Fiscal Year 2008

Kansas Early Head Start, (KEHS) is a social service and child development program primarily for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers who meet the Federal poverty guidelines. KEHS is modeled after the Federal Early Head Start program that was created by the U.S. Congress. All KEHS programs follow Head Start Performance Standards that requires at least ten percent of the total number of the enrollment be made available to children with disabilities.

Background

In 1998 the Kansas Legislature approved funding to provide a state administered Early Head Start initiative. Kansas was the first state in the nation to fund Early Head Start modeled after the Federal program. This initiative created a joint federal partnership with the Administration for Children and Families, Health and Human Services, and Region VII Kansas City Office. This partnership provides federal dollars for training and technical support to all KEHS programs and enhances the quality of child care services.

Program Services

Kansas Early Head Start is an intensive, comprehensive program designed to individualize the unique strengths and needs of each child and family. The program services include:

• quality early education
• parent education
• comprehensive health and mental health services, including services to women before, during, and after pregnancy
• nutrition education
• family support service
• child care for families who are employed, attending school or a job training program

The Head Start Performance Standards provide specific quality standards for the provision of services. Kansas Early Head Start programs are required to involve parents and community representatives in all areas of the program. These areas include policy, program design, curriculum, and management decisions.

Program Design

KEHS offers children and families comprehensive services through weekly home visits and/or child care. Parents are partners in Early Head Start. Each KEHS program provides opportunities for parents to enhance their parenting skills, knowledge, and understanding of the educational and developmental needs of their children. KEHS offers parents opportunities for their own growth and support in identifying and meeting goals.

KEHS is a quality initiative that requires KEHS grantees to partner with community child care providers. Child care may also be provided in a center based infant/toddler classroom operated by the Early Head Start grantee. KEHS programs may provide quality training to child care providers who partner with them. Child care providers may receive training for a Child Development, (CDA), or higher education.

About This Program

The intent of this initiative is to provide grants to local Head Start programs to serve pregnant women and infants and toddlers. Funding allows for 15 KEHS programs in 48 counties with 1,177 enrollment slots. The KEHS initiative seeks to increase the amount of child care for infants and toddlers and to increase the quality of child care for all Kansas children. All services are voluntary for families.

KEHS programs collaborate with various community partners to provide the highest level of services to children and families and maximize available resources.
Community partners include: health departments; Part C services for children with disabilities; Parents as Teachers; and higher education including community colleges and universities.

Outcomes

KEHS is an evidence based prevention service. Outcomes for all KEHS programs include:

• pregnant women and newborns thrive
• infants and children thrive
• children live in stable and supported families
• children enter school ready to learn

For more information about this program go to http://www.srskansas.org

Central Office Contact:

For other services or to find the Social and Rehabilitation Office or an Access Point nearest you, use the links at the end of this page.

Return to EES Home page

Page Updated: April 7, 2008