The Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) is in its third competitive cycle and is funded by the Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families. The current contract was awarded in 2004. EHS NRC has provided technical assistance from a national perspective since the inception of Early Head Start (EHS) in 1995. The focus of the current contract is to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to EHS and Migrant Head Start (MSHS) programs and their systems of support (i.e., the Federal government and Regional TA Systems).

The EHS NRC focuses on the following three areas:

Communication Systems & People Networks We host member electronic mailing lists and monthly conference calls with EHS NRC staff, Child Development TA Specialists, Regional Liaisons, and OHS staff. We maintain and monitor the EHS/MSHS Program electronic mailing lists (English and Spanish); toll-free number, phone and email information requests for and from Federal and TA staff; and the EHS NRC website (Spanish version under development). We have supported programs directly through presentations at workshops during Regional and Cluster meetings in ACF regions as well as at MSHS Programs and American Indian and Alaska Native Programs. We plan and conduct Leadership Seminars/Trainings. This year we are producing a series of three web cast trainings on EHS for Federal Team Leaders, TA staff and other reviewers of EHS and HS programs serving infants/toddlers.

Knowledge Building We contribute to the development of infant-toddler and EHS materials that are housed on the OHS Early Childhood Knowledge and Learning Center. This year we posted a series of online lessons in English and Spanish. In addition, we develop and conduct three audio conference calls per year. We conduct two Expert Work Group meetings per year that focus on emerging trends and issues in EHS/MSHS.

Program Development We develop Tip Sheets, Issue Briefs and an Electronic Newsletters that can be accessed from the website. We provide specialized trainings that address OHS priorities (e.g., dual language learning and movement and nutrition strategies). We plan and conduct the annual Birth To Three Institute for EHS and MSHS and their child care partners (the next one to be held October 25-27, 2010, in Washington, D.C.)

For further information, visit www.ehsnrc.org/