Giving children a wholesome Head Start strengthens our Miami-Dade community | Opinion

As we celebrate National Children’s Day, on June 12, we must not only celebrate our children, but also renew and improve our commitment to love, nurture and protect them.

The first five years of life are critical for healthy development. These early years provide a base for lifelong learning and set the trajectory for future success. When parents and programs work together to create the right environments for children, magic happens.

The Miami-Dade County Head Start/Early Head Start Program has created a comprehensive model for early care and education that addresses the needs of under-resourced infants, toddlers, young children, their families and pregnant women across the county. Because of its comprehensive approach, the county’s Head Start/Early Head Start program is uniquely positioned to serve the most vulnerable populations.

Health staff work to ensure that children have access to a doctor and a dentist; nutritionists make sure children receive a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack, taking into consideration the specific nutritional needs of each child; and social services staff help parents accomplish their own goals, such as finishing school, getting a better job, having access to mental-health services or treating addiction.

There are 90 Head Start/Early Head Start centers helping children develop their cognitive, motor, language and adaptive skills with qualified teachers. The centers are strategically located throughout Miami-Dade County to be more accessible for parents. In addition to helping children achieve success, a cornerstone of Head Start/Early Head Start success is to support the whole family. The key to children’s success starts with helping parents create a better environment for children to thrive and succeed.

The Head Start/Early Head Start program partners with community organizations that support family well-being, such as Career Source and the Beacon Council, to connect families to jobs that pay living wages. Virtual job fairs and résumé workshops help them access more job opportunities. Parents also can receive resources such as diapers, formula and baby food to reduce their financial burdens.

Parent engagement is a central aspect of the county’s Head Start/Early Head Start program, bringing families closer to their children and community. Programs like Splash into Summer bind families together as they learn and grow. Activities like Donuts with Dad and Back to School with Dad bring fathers or father-like figures to engage in their child’s education. Parents also are encouraged to engage in school activities or events, creating a sense of community and building stronger relationships. The program also uses technology to establish open lines of communication with families. This proved essential during the COVID pandemic.

The program has been a leader in innovation, early care and education programming since 1959. This year, the Head Start/Early Head Start Health Service Advisory Committee, in partnership with Reach Out and Read Florida, hosted a virtual health summit to help community stakeholders and parents discuss important topics related to resiliency and trauma. More than 500 registered participants, including medical providers, parents, and the early childhood community, came together to obtain resources and learn critical strategies to address challenges related to the impact of COVID-19, mental health, trauma and other issues.

Children do well when parents, communities and educators work together on a shared mission. When families receive the right types of support to achieve their goals, the entire community thrives. We all must do our part to help children and families succeed. Visit www.miamidade.gov/headstart to learn more about Head Start.

Dr. Maite Riestra-Quintero is assistant director of the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department, Head Start/Early Head Start Division. CAHSD is the largest provider of comprehensive social services in Miami-Dade County. Call 786-469-4600 or go to www.miamidade.gov/socialservices to learn about its programs.

This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 4:03 PM.