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.

Who Operates the EHS NRC?

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.

What Does the EHS NRC Do?

The EHS NRC supports high quality services to Early Head Start and Migrant Head Start expectant parents and families with infants and toddlers through:

People Networks and Communication Systems

The EHS NRC creates simple to use and cost-effective systems for sharing information and resources by:

• Using web-based strategies through the Office of Head Start's Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center to disseminate information and collaborate on knowledge development activities
• Keeping the broader Head Start community informed about the Early Head Start initiative
• Hosting listservs for Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program staff members, and for the regional technical assistance providers
• Supporting federal staff members and regional technical assistance providers in their efforts to help Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs achieve and sustain program quality

Knowledge Building

The EHS NRC supports a dynamic exchange of information to build, develop, and disseminate state-of-the-art knowledge on early childhood development; on planning and implementing high quality early childhood programs; and on the emerging strengths and needs of Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs by:

• Supporting the Head Start's Bureau's Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center by providing information and resources specific to the unique needs of expectant parents and families with infants and toddlers
• Convening an Expert Work Group to identify the emerging trends and needs of Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs
• Collaborating with the national evaluation of EHS to ensure that the latest knowledge about EHS is widely disseminated and integrated into program services
• Creating written materials to support high-quality services

Program Development

The EHS NRC ensures that Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs have continuous, direct access to the most relevant and useful knowledge currently available about providing services to expectant parents and families with infants and toddlers by offering:

• Information to enhance professional development through the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
• The Birth To Three Institute--our annual national training conference
• An annual series of audioconferences
• Activities to identify the most pressing needs of Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs
• Training and support for programs involved in special Office of Head Start initiatives

Learn More about Early Head Start

To learn more about the Early Head Start Initiative, please visit:

• What is Early Head Start?
• How do I Enroll My Child in Early Head Start?

The Early Head Start National Resource Center @ ZERO TO THREE is funded under contract HHSP23320042900YC by the Office of Head Start, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Administration for Children and Families, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.