Established
in 1983, IHSD has been San Mateo County’s sole Head Start and
Early Head Start provider for the past 21 years. Head Start is
a national federal program which provides comprehensive child
development and family support services to low-income families
with children between the ages of three and five. In San Mateo
County, Head Start is offered in both center-based and home-based
learning environments. Similarly, Early Head Start provides early
learning, development, and support services to needy families
with infants and toddlers, and to pregnant women. The majority
of Early Head Start services are provided through home-based and
family child care service options, though IHSD maintains three
unique child care centers across the county that specifically
serve infants and/or toddlers.
Over the past five years, IHSD has continued to expand its focus
and scope of work to include alternative child development programs
and additional family support services. In 1999, IHSD became a
subcontractor for the State Preschool Program, a part-day comprehensive
child development program for preschool-aged children. IHSD has
now combined Head Start and State Preschool at certain sites across
the county, to provide full-day, full-year care for the families
who need it most. In addition to administering Head Start, Early
Head Start and State Preschool, IHSD also manages family literacy
projects and a variety of family support and health services.
Moreover, IHSD continues to be a leader in the development of
inclusion programs for children with special needs.
With
a diverse staff of more than 100 professionals, IHSD provides
an array of services to more than 700 children and families throughout
San Mateo County each year. It is the ongoing intent of IHSD to
continue to provide child development programs and family services
that support families, promote health, build literacy, and educate
parents, as it has over the past 21 years.
