EHS NRC | About Us

The Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) was created in 1995 by the Office of Head Start, (formerly the Head Start Bureau), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The EHS NRC is a storehouse of early childhood expertise that promotes the building of new knowledge and the sharing of information by:

Linking and actively engaging the Early Head Start and the Head Start community through opportunities in coordination with the Office of Head Start's Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, to share resources and learn from one another in a variety of venues;
Creating, collecting, and disseminating information relevant to comprehensive early childhood programs that is timely, accessible, and easy to use; and
Providing professional development opportunities for the Early Head Start and Head Start community through face-to-face meetings and state-of-the-art distance learning experiences.

Learn More about Early Head Start:

Since the inception of the EHS NRC in 1995, it has been operated by ZERO TO THREE, a national non-profit organization founded in 1977 by a multidisciplinary group of leading child development experts. The services of the EHS NRC have evolved along with the Early Head Start initiative to meet the changing needs of Head Start programs, and to support the federal staff members and technical assistance providers who are responsible for helping Head Start programs develop high-quality services that make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Learn More about Early Head Start:

The Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) was created in 1995 by the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families (ACF). EHS NRC is a “one-stop-shop” for infant-toddler and Early Head Start (EHS) expertise, resources, information, and training - accessible at www.ehsnrc.org.

Develop Resources—

The EHS NRC publishes a wide range of resources accessible at www.ehsnrc.org:

Technical Assistance Papers highlight best practices in providing services to Early Head Start and Migrant Seasonal Head Start families.
Early Head Start Tip Sheets provide a quick summary of a specific topic.
Webinars & Webcasts provide an in-depth learning experience, facilitated by experts in the field.
News You Can Use, a quarterly e-newsletter, examines topics important to those serving infants, toddlers, and their families.

Provide Professional Development—

The EHS NRC delivers training and professional development activities to staff and sites nationwide:

Birth To Three Institute is an annual conference open to Federal staff, Technical Assistance providers, Early Head Start and Migrant Seasonal Head Start staff, families and other programs serving infants, toddlers and families. This multi-day learning experience gives participants the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge on a wide range of early childhood issues. Information about the conference and past plenary sessions accessible at www.ehsnrc.org.
Audioconferences provide information and practical strategies for work on a specific topic from field experts and program staff. Accessible at www.ehsnrc.org.
Online lessons support continuing education in the field of early childhood development. Accessible at http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc.
Trainings led by EHS NRC staff enrich Early Head Start and Migrant Seasonal Head Start program staff’s capacity to provide high quality services to expectant parents, infants, toddlers, and their families.

Facilitate Networks—

The EHS NRC provides opportunities for professionals to connect across systems and sites through:

Site to site collaboration and information sharing through the Office of Head Start’s online Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center at: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc.
Listservs linking programs and staff nationwide in order to share information and best practices.

The Early Head Start Program Staff Listserv is a private mailing list designed for program directors, managers, supervisors, trainers, and direct-service staff who are interested in communicating with colleagues around the country who are working with pregnant women, infant, toddlers, and their families in Head Start programs. To join, visit www.ehsnrc.org.

Information support to Federal staff and Technical Assistance providers who provide oversight, training and technical assistance to Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs.