Early Head Start & Head Start Program

The Lourie Center Head Start (LCHS) program is a federally funded, community-based program for low-income families as well as pregnant women with children from birth to five years old. The program serves children with disabilities, children in foster care and families that are homeless. Our mission is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes to ensure children’s social and emotional development, school readiness and to promote healthy parent and family engagement.

How We Support Children and Their Families

LCHS offers home- and center-based services. The home-based option includes weekly home visits and parent-child activity groups. During the visits, the home visitor in partnership with the parents plan activities to foster their child’s development, increase family literacy and promote healthy parent-child relationships. This option also provides parenting support and education and assists expectant families in preparing for their new baby.

With the center-based approach, high-quality early childhood education is provided by highly skilled personnel. All program services are provided at no cost to eligible families. Language interpretation services are provided if needed. The LCHS also provides early intervention services for students with an IFSP/IEP. In addition, the program has two mental health providers on site.

Services We Offer

• Center-based services
  • For children six weeks to five years old
• Home-based services
  • For children birth to three years old and pregnant women
• Parenting education
• Parent-child social groups
• Support for children with special needs
• Transition services
• High quality educational experiences to support school readiness
• Health/Nutrition Services
• Mental Health

Lourie Center Early Head Start and Head Start Centers

Take advantage of child care services through Early Head Start & Head Start thanks to our partnership with several child care sites in Prince George's County and Montgomery County:

• Little Smiling Faces
  12112 Central Ave, Mitchellville, MD 20721
  Ages served: 18 to 36 months old
  
  
• Arco Iris Bilingual Children’s Center
  14502 Greenview Drive, Suite 102, Laurel MD 20708
  Ages served: three to five years old
• Highland Park Elementary School
  6501 Lowland Dr. Landover, MD 20785
  Ages served: three to five years old
  
  
• Refreshing Spring
  6200 Riverdale Rd. Riverdale, MD 20737
  Ages served: two to five years old
  
  
• St. Ann’s
  4901 Eastern Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20782
  Ages served: six weeks to three years old
  
  
• KidsKare Early Learning Center
  1822 Metzerott Rd. Adelphi, MD 20783
  Ages served: three to five years old
  
  
• Learning World Child Development Center
  4905 Quincy St. Bladensburg, MD 20710
  Ages served: six weeks to three years old
  
  
• Happy Family
  8915 Riggs Rd. Hyattsville, MD 20783
  Ages served: six weeks to five years old

Home Visits

Request convenient visits to your home every week where our staff can help you:

• Learn parenting strategies and skills, supporting your role as your child’s first and most important nurturer, teacher and advocate
• Make your home a learning environment
• Set and work toward goals for your child and family

Family Socials

Make friends with and learn from other families while your children play together during twice-monthly group socializations.

Program Staff

Build close relationships with our staff, who get to know you and your child’s unique needs. Partner with a friendly, helpful team with training in Head Start and infant mental health. Your family will work with:

• Early childhood specialists
• Mental health professionals
• Registered nurse
• Social workers

Expect high-quality services and professionalism because our staff receive supervision, ongoing training and case management from other Head Start team members.

Bilingual Services

If you speak Spanish, you’ll communicate with staff who speak both English and Spanish.

Cost of the Program

Your family may qualify for free Early Head Start & Head Start services if you meet certain income requirements.

Cost of Child Care

You do not have to pay for the first six hours of Early Head Start & Head Start child care each day. You may have to pay for before and aftercare services.

Parent & Caregiver Input

Volunteer to share your opinion and make decisions about how the program is run. Take part in:

• Approval of staff hiring and dismissal
• Recommendations and approval of all budgets and program policies