Early Head Start Program To Begin

The Early Head Start Program in Southwest City has received a $6 million grant to be distributed to the facility at 719 N. Main St. over the next five years.

The First Baptist Church in Southwest City has partnered with the Economic Security Corporation to secure a grant for Early Head Start Child Care.

Located at 719 N. Main St., ESC’s Early Head Start facility held an open house on Wednesday to celebrate the center’s fruition.

The grant, supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, encourages public and private partnerships to provide quality, licensed child care with a focus on serving children, 0 to 3 years of age. The program also seeks to target families who are working or going to school.

According to the American Community Survey 2007, U.S. Census Bureau, child care is a critical workforce support in Missouri, allowing 175,000 parents to work.

ESC applied for the grant after a recent community needs assessment. Results showed a lack of stable child care for the youngest children in communities. Because 90 percent of a human’s brain structure develops before the age of 5, early childhood experiences are critical for success in school and later life.

Six-million dollars will be distributed to the facility over the course of five years. These funds will allow 74 children to receive comprehensive care while creating dozens of new jobs.

The Early Head StartChild Care Partnership Initiative brings together the best of Early Head Start and child care through layered funding. Federal Early Head Start funds are combined with Child Care Development Funds administered by the state of Missouri. The additional funds allow child care providers to meet higher standards.

Those interested in applying for child care may contact Travis Crusa at 417-627-2056 or tcrusa@ escswa.org.