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Dulce and her family enrolled in the city of Phoenix Early Head Start (EHS) program when she was five months old. She lives with both parents, two teenage sisters, and a four year old brother. She weighed 4 pounds at birth and had numerous medical conditions. At time of EHS enrollment both parents were unemployed and were struggling to provide for the family’s basic needs. The father recently had lost his job of six years when the company he was working for closed down unexpectedly.  Soon after enrollment, the EHS Family Advocate partnered with the child’s pediatric physician to support the mother’s understanding of the child’s ongoing medical treatment.
EHS staff supported the family with their child’s ongoing medical needs by assisting the parents with scheduling medical appointments and engaged them in activities to organize the child’s multiple medical documents. Through a collaboration with Southwest Human Development, Dulce was fitted for an assistive sitting device (ADAPT chair) individualized for her unique and specific needs. During the time that the family has been enrolled in EHS, the family has dealt with multiple life stressors. At one point the family’s food subsidy was reduced to less than twenty dollars a month for the family of six which caused great stress for them. The Family Advocate encouraged the family to complete a fair hearing request with the Department of Economic Services to review the family’s food subsidy case. Their food subsidy was ultimately increased assisting the parents in providing for their family’s nutritional needs. The family’s home environment was also a concern for a young child with multiple medical needs. EHS staff utilized community resources to support the family with the numerous home repairs needed. As months passed, Dulce’s mother became overwhelmed by the high level of care her child needed. It started to affect her health and the ability to provide Dulce with the appropriate level of care. The family was connected to community resources which resulted in the family receiving respite care for Dulce.  During the respite hours, Mom attends ESL classes and weekly postpartum group therapy sessions for support. The children in the home also attend events for families and siblings of children with special needs.  Dulce is currently 18 months old, and continues to receive therapy services through the Department of Developmental Disabilities. Dulce and her family continue to grow and flourish. Early Head Start has empowered them to overcome any obstacles that come their way.
Parent Partners Plus can connect you with an Early Head Start program in your area or one of the other free and voluntary home visitation programs available in our community.
The first years of your child’s life lay the groundwork for future success!
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