Center-based or home-based options for children ages 0-5.

Home-based services for pregnant women.

Please call 401-367-2001 to learn how to enroll.

Head Start and Early Head Start Application (English)

Head Start and Early Head Start Application (Español)

“Tell Me More” Referral Form 

Mission Statement: EBCAP’s Early Childhood Programs provide high quality comprehensive early childhood education services for eligible families and children from prenatal to age five. We partner with parents to teach children the skills and abilities needed for success in school and life. Together with our community, we support parents to keep children safe, healthy, and well.

All of our seven (7) sites are rated as either a 5-star or 4-star center by the Rhode Island Child Care Bright Star Rating System.

We collaborate with local schools to conduct developmental screens/assessments for children and provide early intervention accordingly. Additionally, we are a certified KIDS CONNECT provider through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. KIDS CONNECT program allows us to support children with special needs in classrooms alongside typically developing peers. All children are provided an educational experience guided by Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum (for center based), Grow Great Kids Curriculum (for home based) and the Teaching Strategies GOLD child assessment system.

As children are screened and/or assessed, teachers or home visitors use data to collaborate with parents and develop individualized education plans. All center-based children receive daily meals/snacks in the classroom at no cost to families.

We are proud of our comprehensive services that bring together an impressive array of internal resources and community partners to meet the needs of the children and families in our care.

People We Serve

We serve pregnant women, young children (0-5), and their families. We are actively looking for eligible children with special needs as required by the Office of Head Start’s enrollment standard. Children in foster care/kinship care, children and pregnant women experiencing homelessness are considered for priority enrollment.

Families receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program) benefits are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services.

To provide each child an individualized learning experience, our program considers all aspects of the child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development and learning. Children and families of all abilities are welcome to the program. Modifications and reasonable accommodations are made to ensure all children are included in program activities.

Head Start and Early Head Start Eligibility Requirements

Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility Requirements

Key Features

EBCAP’s Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten Early Childhood Education services include:

• Health Services
• Nutrition Services
• Behavioral Health Services
• Education Services
• Family Engagement and Development Services

All Head Start and Early Head Start families are assigned a Family Advocate (or a Home Visitor for the Home-Based Program) upon enrollment, who works in partnership with families to establish goals, and assists with community referrals.

Features of the Head Start program for children aged 3 to 5:

• Home-Based Preschool Program offers Head Start services to children ages 3-5 years in their homes. The program focuses on children who have a medical diagnosis, injury, sensory needs, or behavioral challenges that prevent attendance in a center-based, pre-school program.  Home-based services may also be provided to families who are not able to provide transportation to a classroom facility.
• Classrooms for children ages 3 to 5 operate five days per week between September and June at no cost to families. Children are not required to be potty-trained to enroll, and diapers as well as meals/snacks are provided at no cost to families.
• In Newport and East Providence, fee-based, extended childcare is available to families. Full day care can be purchased during school vacation weeks (excluding the December holiday break) and the summer months. EBCAP accepts, encourages and assists families to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program Application.

Features of the Early Head Start program for pregnant women and children ages 0-3:

• Home-Based Program for pregnant women and children up to age 3 enables parents and children to participate in weekly 90-minute home visits and to take part in playgroup activities at one of our centers or a location in the community. This program is provided year-round at no cost to families.
• In Newport and East Providence, fee-based, extended childcare is available year-round (excluding the December holiday break) for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years. Classroom group size is capped at 8 children with four children assigned to one educator to allow for more individual attention and nurturing care. Diapers, formula, and meals are provided at no additional cost. EBCAP accepts, encourages, and assists families to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program Application.

Features of the Pre-Kindergarten Program, children must be 4 years of age by September 1^st :

• Classrooms for 4 and 5-year-old children operate five days per week, between September and June at no cost to families. Children are not required to be potty-trained to enroll, and diapers as well as meals/snacks are provided.
• In Newport, fee-based, extended childcare is available to families. Full day care can be purchased during school vacation weeks (excluding the December holiday break) and the summer months. EBCAP accepts, encourages, and assists families to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program Application.

Features of the KIDS CONNECT Program:

KIDS CONNECT is a program administered by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. It provides needed support to help children with behavioral, developmental, or special needs successfully participate in childcare programs.

KIDS CONNECT provides tailored services dependent on each child’s needs, including:

• Assessment and individualized treatment plans
• Supportive classroom services
• An interdisciplinary team to help the child outside of the classroom
• Referral and collaboration to outside services if needed

Transportation: Most of our sites are located on public bus routes. EBCAP does not provide transportation directly but will provide information to families about RIPTA bus passes, routes and other services. You may also contact RIPTA directly at 401-784-9500. EBCAP can also help families assess other options such as alternative site placement and home-based services.

Location(s) of the Program

Hours of Operation

Forest Site- Middletown              9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Aquidneck Site- Middletown       9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Chafee Center- Newport              7:30 A.M. – 4:45 P.M.

Mary V. Quirk School- Warren     8:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.

Turner Center- Riverside              8:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.

Tiverton Center                             9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Willett Center- Riverside              7:30 A.M. – 4:45 P.M.

How to Enroll

Applications may be submitted to Head Start and Early Head Start year-round. Apply online or call 401-367-2001 if you have questions or need assistance to complete an application.

Head Start and Early Head Start Application (English)

Head Start and Early Head Start Application (Español)

The Rhode Island Department of Education oversees on-line applications for the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms in the spring prior to the following school year. During the application period, families may complete the paper application and return it to the school of choice. 

How You Can Help

Our Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K programs actively recruit volunteers and encourage all parents to volunteer by participating in their child’s education. Parents are considered a child’s primary educator and a vital part of the program and the community. Volunteerism can potentially lead to job or leadership opportunities within the program.

For a list of careers in our Head Start Program visit: https://www.ebcap.org/careers-internships/careers/

Documents for Parents

Here you can find, view, and download our annual report, calendar, and the Head Start Parent Handbook.

2023-2024 Annual Report School Calendar 2024-2025 

The post Head Start, Early Head Start & Pre-Kindergarten Early Childhood Education Programs appeared first on East Bay Community Action Program.

CHAMPION CHILDCARE PROGRAM AT PELL 2024-2025 – REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Before and after school licensed childcare on site at Pell is available for students in Kindergarten through grade 4.  Before school care opens at 6:30 a.m. and after school care closes at 6 p.m.  To access our online Enrollment form, click here. 

People We Serve

Services offered by the NFCOZ are available for all children from birth to grade four and their families residing in Newport, RI. Experienced youth development staff work with children to develop the skills that they need to be successful in school. Fun family activities and high quality and high interest before and after school programs, vacation camps, and summer leaning opportunities help students and families to become more engaged with their school. Engaged students have better attendance and are more motivated to succeed in school. Programs allow students to practice new skills and expand their learning while receiving support. Staff are well-versed in community resources and help families to make connections to essential services. A five star rated (brightstars.org) high quality licensed childcare program before and after school enables families to work or attend school knowing that their child is well taken care of.

Key Features

School readiness opportunities for preschool age children that are designed to ensure that children are ready for school success. We collaborate with Newport and Middletown Public Schools and EBCAP to improve access to high quality early childhood programs and services.

School age services include the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) which provides comprehensive out of school time programs such as before and after school programs, school vacation week camps, and the Summer Learning Academy; which is designed to expand learning time throughout the school day/year with intensive academic support, blended with physical activity, cultural, recreational, artistic, service learning enrichment opportunities, and the Champion Childcare Program at Pell which is a five star licensed before and after school childcare program offered daily during the school year.

Family programs including the Family Service Coordination Program in Newport, connect parents with essential community resources, improve parenting skills, provide educational opportunities, help families to be more involved in their children’s education, encourage daily school attendance, assist children with transitions, and reduce social isolation. Fun family activities, coordinated by the NFCOZ at Pell, such as the annual Pumpkin Fest, Multicultural Night, Literacy Night, and Penny Carnival provide opportunities for parents to be involved.

The Backpack Feeding Program provides a weekly bag of food for enrolled children on the weekend when food can be scarce for families. This program serves 125 students during the school year at Pell Elementary School in Newport and has now expanded to support students in Middletown.

You can also find us on the Newport Public Schools website.

Location(s) of the Program

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday, 6:30 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

• Before School Childcare open from 6:30 A.M. – 8:45 A.M.
• Community Learning Center after school enrichment programs operate from school dismissal – 5:00 P.M.
• After School Childcare operates from school dismissal – 6:00 P.M.

How to Enroll

For more information, or to register/enroll, contact a member of the NFCOZ Management Team at 401-842-1925 and press the extension below:

• Christine Arouth, NFCOZ Director x1, christinearouth@npsri.net
• Taylor Ardito, Family Services Manager x3, taylorfrazier@npsri.net
• Mark McKenna, Family Service Coordinator x4, markmckenna@npsri.net
• Heather Hinckley, Champion Childcare Coordinator x6, heatherhinckley@npsri.net
• Samantha Brown, OST Manager x7, samanthabrown@npsri.net
• Julia Spartano, CLC Site Coordinator x7, juliaspartano@npsri.net

How You Can Help

The NFCOZ is funded through federal, state, local grants, and private foundations. We also welcome donations and sponsorship.

To make a donation to the Backpack Feeding Program, click here.

The post Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone appeared first on East Bay Community Action Program.

People We Serve

Services offered by the MCOZ are available for all children from kindergarten to grade eight and their families residing in Middletown, RI. Experienced youth development staff work with children to develop the skills that they need to be successful in school. High quality and high interest after school programs, school vacation camps, and summer camps help students and families to become more engaged with their school. Engaged students have better attendance and are more motivated to succeed in school. MCOZ allows students to practice new skills and expand their learning while receiving support.

Key Features

School readiness opportunities for preschool age children that are designed to ensure that children are ready for school success. We collaborate with Newport and Middletown Public Schools and EBCAP to improve access to high quality early childhood programs and services.

School age services include Beyond the Bell after school, school vacation week and summer camps designed to expand learning throughout the school day/year with academic, physical activity, cultural, recreational, artistic, and service learning enrichment opportunities.

Family programs connect parents with opportunities to get involved with their children’s schools. The COZ coordinates volunteer applications to be sure all families interested in volunteering have the proper background checks in place. 

Location(s) of the Program

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

How to Enroll

For more information or to register/enroll contact:

• Christine Arouth, NFCOZ Director, 401-842-1925 x 1, christinearouth@npsri.net
• Jamoya Ridgell, MCOZ Manager, 401-261-6773, jridgell@mpsri.net

How You Can Volunteer

The MCOZ is funded through the state, local grants, and private foundations. We also welcome donations and sponsorships.

The post Middletown Child Opportunity Zone appeared first on East Bay Community Action Program.

Healthy Families America

Healthy Families America (HFA) is a national evidence-based maternal family visiting program that provides free, voluntary, and confidential services. This program pairs expectant mothers or families with newborns to a family visitor who provides visiting services to the family and their child until the child’s fifth birthday.

HFA promotes growth and development in children and works in partnership with families to build upon family strengths, improve protective factors, and increase parents’ knowledge of their children’s development.

People We Serve

HFA assists expectant mothers and families with newborns up to 5 years of age. HFA promotes and strengthens positive parent-child relationships and provides parents and children the support they need to be successful. Family visitors also assist families access community resources and support.

Key Features

HFA assigns a family visitor to each family. Visitors work to:

• Establish a trusting, constant relationship with families by offering encouragement and emotional support
• Help expectant mothers and families access community resources
• Create safe environments for the whole family
• Educate families about their children’s development by using an evidence-based curriculum called Growing Great Kids. This curriculum fosters nurturing parent-child relationships and encourages brain development and stimulation through play.

Location(s) of the Program

Hours of Operation

Family visits are provided at times that are mutually agreed upon by the family and the family visitor.

How to Enroll

If interested, please contact East Bay Community Action Program at 401-437-1000, ext. 1535 or 401-847-7821, ext. 1535. Written referrals also may be sent to a secured fax at 401-753-6650.

Click Here For Referral Form

Meet our Family Visitors

Click here to learn about our Family Visitors.

The post Healthy Families America appeared first on East Bay Community Action Program.

DONATE

About Us

Our Sessions

• Child development instruction that helps parents develop skills to be successful first teachers to their children and to understand how their children learn
• Reading and music sessions
• Fun arts and crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy
• Free books and supplementary diapers and wipes
• Referrals to social services and health care as needed
• Field Trip experiences (1-2 per year)
• Educational presenters

• Saturday Morning from 9:30am-11:00am (Head Start, Newport)
• Thursday Morning from 10:30am-12:00pm (Middletown Public Library, Middletown)
• Tuesday evening for Spanish speakers from 4:30pm-6:00pm (Conexion Latina, Newport)

People We Serve

How You Can Enroll

Location(s) of the Program

How You Can Help

The post Baby Steps appeared first on East Bay Community Action Program.