Photo attributed to Mark Dennis 

By: Jennifer Aufill

The first few years of a child’s life are a critical developmental period, directly connected to lifelong success and health.  Early Head Start programs that combine education, health, and family services not only prepare children enter school ready to learn, but also ensure that our children and their families have the services education, and support they need to be healthy and stay healthy.

On Tuesday, Dr. Wen joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, representatives from LIGHT Health and Wellness Comprehensive Services, and members of the community to celebrate the grand-opening of Baltimore City’s newest Early Head Start Program. Previously, the Early Head Start program operated only through home-based visiting services, but has now opened a newly renovated facility in the former Cloverland Milk Bottle Building in West Baltimore.

The Early Head Start program provides comprehensive early child development and family support services to low-income infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families. The program is completely free of cost if families meet eligibility. The Baltimore City Health Department’s Early Head Start program, which is sponsored by the Maryland Family Network, is run in partnership with LIGHT Health and Wellness to provide full program services in a central location to better serve the needs of young children and communities.

“Today is truly about partnership,” Dr. Wen said. “With Early Head Start, we go to where the people are and deliver services within the community.”

Early Head Start programs have been proven to support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age five. Participation and graduation in Early Head Start programs also improve children’s health outcomes. Nationwide, the program has witnessed a decrease in mortality rates for 5- to 9-year-old children, a decrease childhood obesity rates, and a decrease smoking rates into adulthood.  In addition, children who participated in the program were more likely to positively engage with their parents and be more attentive when playing. Parents who participated were shown to be more emotionally supportive, more likely to read to their children, and demonstrate a sophisticated repertoire of disciplinary strategies.

Dr. Wen believes that the Early Head Start program is a great resource for parents to support the health of their children.

“It’s critical to ensure that our children and their facilities have the support they need,” Dr. Wen concluded. “Now that the program will extend beyond the homes of residents and into their communities, we can better maximize the support network for parents and invest in the futures of our city’s children.”