Ana, Florida

Finding My Footing After Service

I’m a military veteran, and when I transitioned back to civilian life, I was unprepared for just how hard it would be to afford child care.

I already knew about Early Head Start from my older child, and when an opening became available for my daughter, Vivian, it felt like a lifeline. Before that, I was paying $200 a week for child care, struggling to make ends meet, and still paying extra on days private child care was closed.

Why Quality Early Learning Matters

Vivian has been enrolled in three different child care settings, but Early Head Start stands out. The quality is different. They take the time to understand children’s health needs, review medical records, and conduct developmental screenings to make sure babies are on track.

The program doesn’t just care for my child. It supports me as a parent. Through Early Head Start, my family has access to a diaper program, extra food and diaper resources, and parent education that has strengthened my confidence and skills.

That kind of support eases financial stress and helps families focus on what matters most: helping babies grow, learn, and thrive.

Early Head Start has been the best quality care my daughter has received.

Ana

From Support to Leadership

Because Early Head Start made such a difference for my family, I wanted to give back. I now serve as secretary of the Early Head Start policy council. I believe deeply in the program’s mission and in the role families should play in shaping the services that support them.

Believing in babies means investing in programs that provide high-quality early learning and comprehensive family support. It means protecting and expanding Early Head Start so more families can access care that nurtures development and strengthens parents.

Early Head Start didn’t just help my family get by. It helped us build stability, confidence, and a strong foundation for the future.

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