West Texas Opportunities, Inc. implemented the Early Head Start Program in Andrews and Lamesa in August 2010. EHS is a comprehensive child development program which serves children from birth to three. The Early Head Start Program is funded to serve 72 infants and toddlers.
There is also a home-based component that provides service to pregnant mothers and infants younger than six weeks old. The Andrews site serves 24 infants and toddlers, while Lamesa serves 40 infant/toddlers and 8 home-based. The home based component provides services through one home visit per week per family lasting for a minimum of one and one-half hours.
Services are also provided through two group socialization activities per month. Early Head Start is a 12 month program operated year round. The goal of the Early Head Start Program is to provide quality child care focusing on the health, nu¬trition, and overall well-being of the child and family. EHS strives to support and enhance the parent-child relationship. The main focus of EHS is to support families while helping them to recognize that children learn best within positive and supportive relationships with their parents and caregivers.