June 27, 2003 - Kansas Early Head Start Receives National Recognition

In 2001, the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) sponsored a national call for nominations of innovative initiatives supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. NCCP was interested in examining the ways in which states and communities are taking more strategic approaches to enhancing outcomes for the youngest members of society. The NCCP received nominations from 125 programs from across the country. Of these 125 nominations, the 25 top initiatives were selected. Kansas' Early Head Start (EHS) was selected as one of the top 25 programs. Kansas was selected for its innovative approach to providing comprehensive services that support families with infants and very young children. Kansas was the first state in the nation to sponsor an EHS initiative using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).

The EHS program was created in 1994 by the federal government to support research that highlights the critical period of conception to age three recognizing for infants and toddlers to develop optimally, they must have healthy beginnings and the continuity of responsive and caring relationships. Funding for EHS is limited, therefore program expansion is very slow. The Kansas program has been successful partially because Kansas lawmakers have taken an interest in the program and have appropriated Child Care Development Funds for EHS in addition to the limited federal funding available for the program. In 1998, the Kansas Legislature appropriated funding for 13 Kansas EHS programs. Governor Kathleen Sebelius also supports Kansas EHS.

"The Kansas program is known for the outstanding partnerships we have with family and center child care providers within the communities that have Early Head Start. We partner with approximately 150 child care providers," said SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky. "Through EHS, we are able to touch the lives of 825 children enrolled in the EHS program and an additional 2800 children receiving child care because of the quality standards that are monitored by EHS."

"In Kansas, we are also fortunate to have a good relationship with our federal Region VII Administration for Children and Families office in Kansas City, Missouri. They support our EHS programs with technical and training assistance through funding and infant/toddler consultants," said Secretary Schalansky.

Information can be obtained on the Kansas initiative from the NCCP web site, http://nccp.org/it/index.html and Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services web site, www.srskansas.org/kidsnet/kehskhs.htm.