Doing the Most to Help Children Thrive
The youth of today are the hope for tomorrow. That’s why The Salvation Army of Omaha invests in youth services such as Early Head Start. Children from birth to age 2 can enroll in the program, as can pregnant mothers, to receive a variety of assistance that enables youngsters to develop and grow.
Parenting is hard, and those who have low incomes, are experiencing homelessness, or feel alone in their parenting journey should know that The Salvation Army can help. Early Head Start is free to eligible families, and provides parents with onsite or in-home visits at which Family Services staff provide education and ways to strengthen the parent-child connection. These visits last 90 minutes and present on a variety of information. Those with youngsters gain knowledge about early childhood development and positive parenting practices that improve their child’s readiness for school and success as well as the family’s health and well-being. Women who need perinatal assistance are provided with infant mental health and obstetrics information among other resources.
Keeping children, and families, healthy plays a vital role in their success. Early Head Start also connects people to local health care providers and gives access to health and social service appointments, such as child development screenings and connections to preventative care. Those who experience chronic health conditions and developmental delays may receive assistance with case management for those issues.
It is not, however, all work and no play. The program gives families involved a chance to connect through fun visits to places such as the Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, and the Omaha Public Library. Meals are also provided at these social events.
Another benefit to Early Head Start is connections — The Salvation Army of Omaha can help families with social service needs such as free community resources, budgeting classes, and mental health and short-term therapy resources. The program partners with WIC to offer nutrition education and healthy meal planning.
The program is based out of Heritage Place at Renaissance Village, 3612 Cuming St. Those eligible for the program include families currently at or below the federal poverty guidelines and those with a foster child. That includes people experiencing homelessness or receiving benefits from Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (known as Aid to Dependent Children in Nebraska) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While children must be enrolled before age 2, they may stay in the program until the age of 3.
Those in need of help can set up an intake appointment, or ask questions about the program, by emailing ehsintake@usc.salvationarmy.org or call 402-898-7505.