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.

A young girl in a pink shirt stares down at the camera.

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.

Two children play outside with oversized interlocking blocks.

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.

Read: TLG’s 2021 Annual Report on it’s Early Head Start program (PDF)