Grant Goes to Early Childhood Education

January 25, 2010

The USC School for Early Childhood Education will be able to reach nearly 100 more needy parents and children through the Early Head Start program, thanks to a $1 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grant will allow USC's early childhood education to focus more attention on pregnant teens, an area of concern in the neighborhoods around University Park and Exposition Park, according to Ray Hernandez, executive director of early childhood education.

The two-year grant increases the number of family members served to nearly 540. Twelve new staff members will be hired as well. Partnerships will be developed with community agencies and high schools to provide services.

USC was awarded the money in part because Hernandez already had done the homework. The Administration for Children and Families is giving out $619 million to expand services to 55,000 more low-income children and their families, but they wanted projects that were ready to be implemented and that would put people to work.

Hernandez, who was aware of the possibility of a funding opportunity, months ago began canvassing the local schools and clinics to assess their needs. He found that there is a higher percentage of pregnant teens in the local schools who did not have access to prenatal education and infant care.

"We were looking to address the needs in the area, and we saw the number of teen pregnancies and teen parents," Hernandez said. "Our goal is to help these teens have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby by helping them develop their parenting skills."

Thomas S. Sayles, vice president of USC government and community relations, said: "This grant will expand the reach and mission of the USC School for Early Childhood Education and of the university itself. It will allow more children and their parents access to health care and education and at the same time provide jobs for our community."

The program will teach students parenting skills, help them avoid a second pregnancy and provide counseling and support for the mental health of the young parents.

"Some teens don't go to the doctor until their third trimester," Hernandez said. "We need to help ensure that they have healthy babies. Even though they are children themselves, we want to help educate them about parenting and the role they now play in their child's life."

Since 1970, the USC School for Early Childhood Education has provided comprehensive, early pre-school services to low-income children and families. It operates six child-care and development centers in the neighborhoods near the University Park campus.