Hillsborough County received the largest Early Head Start American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant award in the State of Florida, and its Head Start program is destined to remain one of the largest programs in the Southeastern United States. Hillsborough County Head Start/ Early Head Start was awarded $11.7 million dollars to expand both programs, beginning in January 2010.

These funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be received over a two-year period and will boost the total number of infants, toddlers, children and pregnant mothers served by more than 10 percent. In addition, these funds will create or retain 90 jobs. Newly hired positions include early childhood teaching positions and coordinators for social services.

To accomplish their goal of serving more than 400 new children, the expansion projects are operated by Hillsborough County as well as community partners.

Early Head Start Innovations
Hillsborough County has partnered with Lutheran Services Florida and the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Together, they provide education, health, nutrition and family services to 252 infants from birth to age three, as well as to pregnant women of low-income families.

The majority of the children are be served through family child care homes, a popular child care choice for many parents, but a rare option for Early Head Start. The program has now become the largest family child care provider in the nation for Early Head Start.  Two new partners from the community bring a great depth of experience to this collaborative effort. The Tampa Metropolitan YMCA has tremendous experience in the child care field and in training home child care providers. Lutheran Services Florida currently operates the largest child care food program in the state.