The College of Education at UTRGV serves as the Grantee and provides direct comprehensive services to 372 low income infants and toddlers in center-based learning environments that are designated in icensed child care centers in Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo and throughout the valley. Comprehensive Services foster the infants’ and toddlers’ physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development to ensure each child reaches his or her optimal potential and is ready for Pre-K and Kinder.
A birth-to-age-five curriculum continuum will facilitate the child’s development and academic achievement. Successful transitioning of children between programs will be supported by established channels of communication between and among staff from EHS and HS program. UTRGV will continue participating beyond the funding period as a partner for providing professional development of staff.
Community services and agencies also provide services to eligible low income families of the children enrolled in EHS. Services such as, parenting education, professional development opportunities, and adult education, enable low income families to secure employment, attend college or obtain job training certificates and move toward self-sufficiency. Other services may include counseling, screening and assessment and crisis management counseling. Information and referrals for community services such as, public transportation, mental health, medical services, preventive health care, also ensure that the goal of providing comprehensive services to low income infants and toddlers is continual.
Provide comprehensive Early Head Start services, including health and education, to guarantee simultaneous language development, school readiness, and families’ self-sufficiency.
Be the premier Early Head Start Program for young Dual Language Learners and their families.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), College of Education proudly serves as the Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Grantee, partnering with Edcouch–Elsa Independent School District, Lincoln Park High School in Brownsville, and multiple licensed child care centers throughout the Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, and surrounding Rio Grande Valley communities. Through this comprehensive partnership, UTRGV provides high-quality, center-based Early Head Start services to 372 infants and toddlers from low-income families in safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. |
This collaborative model strengthens and enhances existing early learning settings by delivering full-day, full-year services that meet the needs of working families while ensuring compliance with Early Head Start Program Performance Standards and state child care licensing requirements. Participating centers are supported through continuous monitoring, professional development, and technical assistance, allowing them to maintain high standards of health, safety, and educational quality while offering consistent, full-time care for infants and toddlers. Comprehensive services are intentionally designed to support the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children during the most critical years of growth. Relationship-based care is at the core of the program, with responsive interactions between children and caregivers fostering secure attachments, early language development, curiosity, and self-regulation. Ongoing developmental screenings, assessments, and individualized learning experiences ensure that each child’s strengths and needs are identified early and addressed effectively, preparing children for successful entry into Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. UTRGV’s commitment extends beyond direct services to children and families. As a higher education institution, the University plays a vital role in strengthening early childhood systems by providing ongoing professional development, training, and support for teaching and administrative staff. This commitment continues beyond the funding period and focuses on evidence-based practices, workforce development, continuous quality improvement, and leadership capacity building across all partner sites. Families are recognized as essential partners in their children’s development and are supported through a comprehensive network of community-based services. In collaboration with local agencies and service providers, the program connects families to parenting education, adult education, workforce training, and higher education opportunities that support employment, career advancement, and long-term self-sufficiency. Additional services may include counseling, developmental and health screenings, assessments, crisis intervention, and referrals to specialized supports when needed. Families also receive assistance accessing essential community resources such as public transportation, mental health services, medical and dental care, and preventive health services. Through these coordinated partnerships, UTRGV EHS-CCP ensures that comprehensive services remain consistent, accessible, and responsive to family needs—strengthening families while promoting healthy development, school readiness, and lifelong learning for infants and toddlers across the Rio Grande Valley. |
