TLG’s Early Head Start Services
Through the Looking Glass’ Early Head Start provides both center and home-based services for pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families. Our Early Head Start Program serves children 0-3 years and their caregivers, as well as pregnant women. Our program specializes in children and families with developmental or disability issues, but is inclusive of parents and children with and without disabilities.
These specialized Early Head Start services have been developed within TLG; a disability culture-based organization that has provided infant mental health, family support, developmental early intervention, and disability resources and adaptations since 1982. The expertise of TLG provides diverse services, training, consultation, and assessment resources for the Early Head Start program.
Early Head Start Home Visiting Program
The home-based option serves families and pregnant women residing in Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and Union City. Pregnant women living in Oakland can also be served in the home-based option. Homeless families with children 0-3 years are also eligible.
During weekly visits, home visitors provide:
- Play time that is fun for families and supports children’s learning and growth
- Activities and support that helps build strong parent-child relationships
- Information that connects families to other resources as needed
- A developmental play group at the Ed Roberts Campus for children and families twice each month
The home visitors have extensive training and experience working with children and parents with many different types of disabilities. In addition to their expertise in early childhood development, home visitors are trained mental health therapists who work with families using a strength-based approach.
Early Head Start Center-Based Program
The center-based option serves families with children 0-3 years residing in Berkeley or Oakland. Homeless families with children 0-3 are also eligible.
In the center-based program, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm, families are offered:
- Infant/toddler education and care
- Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack, as well as formula and diapers during center hours
- A multicultural play-based curriculum
- Opportunities for parent leadership and education
- Family resources and support
Through the Looking Glass (TLG) and its Early Head Start Center are located at the Ed Roberts Campus, at a transit hub above the Ashby BART station in Berkeley. The campus is a model of universal design, and has many empowerment-oriented resources for people with disabilities.
To apply for our center or home-based Early Head Start Programs please contact Iliana at iescobar@lookingglass.org, or Shrimalie at sperera@lookingglass.org.
View our Non-Discrimination Statement.
Read: TLG’s 2023 Annual Report on it’s Early Head Start program (PDF)
This website is supported in part by Grant Number 09CH013012 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Through the Looking Glass and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.