Child and Family Service Early Head Start and Head Start Infant and Toddler Care program parents Christina Lacaden and child Malakai, and Kaylin Donayri and child Kailani-Fay have been attending the facility located inside the former Immaculate Conception School building since September.
They waited until Monday when CFS formally announced the opening of the first island Infant and Toddler Care facility to a gathering of CFS staff, government dignitaries and community guests.
The opening expands CFS’s capacity to serve more of Kauai’s youngest keiki and their families through Early Head Start services in a dedicated, center-based setting.
“This is the first Head Start Infant and Toddler Center on Kauai,” said Novelyn Hinazumi, the CFS director of Kauai programs. “This program is critical to building a strong foundation for lifelong learning, health and success of our keiki. By opening the Lihue IT Center, CFS will now be able to serve more infants and toddlers in a center-based format while also augmenting existing home-based Early Head Start support.”
The group of dignitaries included CFS President and CEO Amanda Pump who was scheduled to do similar honors with an IT Center in Ewa Beach on Oahu on Tuesday.
Other guests included U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda who flew in specially for the opening, Senate President Ron Kouchi, Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama, representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, County Council Chair Mel Rapozo, and Councilmembers Arryl Kaneshiro and Dr. Addison Bulosan, who brought along his toddler son.
The newly announced IT Center is currently accepting applications for infants and toddlers. Eligibility aligns with federal guidelines for Early Head Start children from birth to age 3, pregnant individuals, and families meeting income or other criteria such as receiving assistance like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), homelessness, foster care, etc.
For more information and eligibility requirements and guidelines, visit the CFS website at www.childandfamilyservice.org.
Child and Family Service has operated Head Start programs on Kauai, serving children ages 3 to 5, and offering family and community supports since 2000.
The new IT Center focuses specifically on infants and toddlers (birth through age 3), under the framework of the federally supported Early Head Start program.
The Early Head Start is a federal program designed to promote healthy development for pregnant individuals, infants and toddlers in low-income families. The program provides center-based early childhood education, home visiting, family support and case management, health, nutrition and developmental services.
For more information, visit the Child and Family Service website at www.childandfamilyservice.org.
Source: The Garden Island
Be First to Comment