Early Childhood & Family Support
Indiana
Early Childhood & Family Support offers families exemplary childcare services that ensure children start school ready to learn and succeed.
As children grow and prepare to succeed in school, parents are encouraged to actively participate in their education and strengthen family bonds.
HEAD START PROGRAMS
Receive high-quality early childhood education at your centers or in your home.
TRC’s Early Childhood & Family Support program provides services to eligible families with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in Head Start centers.
Head Start is a comprehensive program that offers quality early education in and out of the home, parenting education, health and social-emotional wellness services (including for women before, during, and after pregnancy), nutrition education, and family support services.
While we guide the very young as they learn and play, we also share our expertise with parents. By actively participating in their children’s early education, parents enhance their development and create strong family bonds.
In Indiana, TRC offers:
- Early Head Start: Infant and toddler childcare for children up to age 3 and pregnant women
- Early Head Start Home-Based Parenting Education: In-home education program for child and parent or pregnant women
- Head Start: Preschool for children ages 3 to 5
Center-Based Services
Each child receives a personalized educational program at the Head Start centers based on their specific strengths and needs. Through structured learning activities, play, and group learning experiences, children enter kindergarten with learning and social skills that rival that of their classmates.
Home-Based Services include weekly 90-minute home visits and two play group activities per month for parents and their children. Our home visitors are knowledgeable and experienced professionals who can answer questions about:
- Child development
- Early childhood education
- Principles of child health, safety and nutrition
- Adult learning principles
- Family dynamics
PARTICIPATE IN A RESPECTED HEAD START PROGRAM.
Head Start, created in 1965, is a federally funded school readiness program rooted in the idea that parents are their child’s most important teachers. All centers offer:
- Education: Plan interactive learning experiences to help children grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Children learn and play through activities they initiate on their own.
- Health: Provide vital services such as immunizations; dental, medical, mental health, and nutritional services; and early identification of health problems. The earlier a disability is detected, the better a child’s chances of succeeding in school and in life.
- Parent Engagement: Encourage parents to participate in programs and workshops, serve in leadership roles, and volunteer with activities. Parents must be active partners in their child’s education.
- Family Support: Seek to provide assistance if families have additional needs. By tackling challenges in a family’s life, we pave the way for success.
The programs are supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.*
Download the TRC Head Start Annual Report.
ENROLL IN OUR FAMILY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS.
If you’re looking for a quality early childhood center for your child, TRC might have an opening for you. Our centers accept new families year-round — applying is as easy as knowing your A-B-Cs.
Apply to a Head Start center in your community.
Your local program will provide the required forms and answer your questions. It will tell you what documents you need to apply.
Be
prepared.
Take a copy of one of these documents to your enrollment meeting:
• Award letter (amount received) for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• W-2 form or 1040 tax information
• Two recent pay stubs
• Unemployment statement
You’ll also need to provide a copy of at least one of the documents listed below:
• Certified birth certificate
• Hospital birth certificate
• Health department birth certificate
• Medicaid card
Check
your eligibility.
Eligibility is based on family income at or below the poverty level. Families in other situations — including homelessness, children in foster care, or receiving SSI or TANF — are also eligible. Discuss your situation with a local center coordinator.
*In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Source: https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs
OUR SERVICES ARE FREE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY.
Centers located in Delaware and Madison counties serve children and families in the surrounding areas.
Delaware County
- TRC Muncie Early Head Start and Head Start • 3900 East Wysor Street, Muncie, IN 47303 (map) • 765-288-3000
- TRC Muncie Central Head Start • 801 N. Walnut Street, Muncie, IN 47303 (map) • 765-288-3000
- Huffer Memorial Children’s Center** • 2000 North Elgin Street, Muncie, IN 47303 (map) • 765-289-0409
- Teddy Bear Childcare** • 1600 W. Cowing Drive, Muncie, IN 47304 (map) • 765-288-1930
- YMCA of Muncie Mitchell Early Childhood & Family Center**• 2809 W. Purdue Avenue, Muncie, IN 47304 • 765-285-1987
Madison County
- TRC Anderson Early Head Start* • 630 Nichol Avenue, Anderson, IN 46016 (map) • 765-649-9905
- TRC Anderson Early Head Start and Head Start • 325 West 38th Street, Anderson, IN 46013 (map) • 765-649-9905
- TRC Anderson Early Head Start and Head Start • 812 West 13th Street, Anderson, IN 46016 (map) • 765-649-9905
- TRC Anderson Early Head Start and Head Start • 2604 Scatterfield Road, Anderson, IN 46012 (map) • 765-649-9905
TRC is an approved On My Way Pre-K provider in both Delaware and Madison Counties. Please call for information on how to apply.
*Home-based services available.
** TRC partners with these agencies as part of the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program: bringing together the best of Early Head Start and traditional child care.
State Administrative Office
- Transition Resources Corporation Early Childhood and Family Support • 600 Corporation Drive, Suite 105, Pendleton, IN 46064 (map) • 765-221-1005
