Continuous Quality Improvement, or CQI, is a collaborative effort to administer a high-quality home-visiting and center-based program. The Early Head Start program has created several program plans to support increased quality for children, families, and our staff members. The first project was to open a new infant and toddler center that could increase the number of children receiving center-based care. A community assessment conducted in the summer of 2023 showed our community’s great need for infant and toddler care. In response, we have located a new center that is conducive to increasing the number of children in center-based care for EHS parents who are working or in school. This new center can increase our center-based enrollment from six to twelve infants and toddlers. This center, located in Kealakekua, is currently being renovated and is undergoing the licensing process.
In our home-based program, EHS has transitioned to the Parents as Teachers curriculum, an approach that partners, facilitates, and reflects so that all children will develop, learn, and grow to realize their full potential. The PAT approach educates and supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teachers and advocates. At its core, it focuses on parent-child interaction and supports parents in understanding their child’s developmental stages and the opportunities each stage offers for learning.
Five-year program goals focus on children’s and families’ well-being related to physical movement and nutrition. The program integrates movement and nutrition experiences in the classroom, in weekly home visits, and at twice-monthly socialization groups. A recent socialization occurred at the sharing garden in Holualoa, where families and staff enjoyed a tour of the expansive garden space and learned about locally grown fruits and vegetables. Staff well-being is an important component of our annual training plan, characterized by intentional activities such as a recent pickleball lesson, walking groups, and a kickball tournament.
The program diligently provides resources and referrals for high-quality health, early childhood education, and family development services across our local and state communities. Early Head Start has received supplemental funding to support increased transportation services for families, increase STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics)- related experiences for children, and provide meaningful parenting groups, a partnership with the organization Family Hui. A recent grant will support an increase in data support for the program, allowing us to use our data in more meaningful ways.
We are extremely grateful to our families, our staff, and our community partners for their continued support and feedback on how to continually improve our services!