Jewel’s Story

Jun 8, 2019 | Stories

I first learned about Early Head Start at the local DHS office. I had recently given birth to my daughter, Ame, and wanted to continue my college education. I expected to only go to school part-time because I could not afford full-time childcare. Then I saw a flyer about childcare at Early Head Start and asked if I would qualify. There was an opening and no co-pay. I was ecstatic! This meant I could go back to school full-time – it was a huge, huge help.

Enrolling My Children in Early Head Start

It was hard for me to get used to leaving my daughter, but when I saw she was getting great care I felt secure about leaving her. Ame really enjoyed being at EHS Merriman Center. She met her first friend Brook when they were little babies, and they are still close friends at Head Start four years later.

When I became pregnant with my son Jaithen, Ame’s EHS teacher encouraged me to enroll in their parent/child program at EHS West Medford Center. I learned infant massage and the Parent Group helped me get support from other parents. When my son Jaithen was 6 months old he joined his sister in childcare and I continued my education while working full-time as an adult caregiver. Ame was itching to go to Head Start to be with the bigger kids. Her learning ability was full-speed ahead. Six months into Head Start she could write her first and last name.

Her developmental assessments at Head Start showed she was performing at her age level. The academics came more naturally to Ame than physical development, so her teacher Linda and I set goals to increase Ame’s physical skills. Ame and Brook were in the same Head Start class and continued their friendship. Jaithen transitioned into Head Start a year later. Although I was concerned that Jaithen would not listen well, he learned all the words to the Head Start songs and made good progress with his learning.

Beyond the Classroom

Head Start was not only supportive of my goals with the kids, but also my personal goal of graduating from college. I applied for, and received, a free computer through Head Start which I really needed to write my papers. I am currently applying for a Head Start scholarship. Head Start staff helped with vision screenings and eye doctors. Both Jaithen and Ame needed glasses. According to her doctor, Ame no longer needs glasses for her far-sightedness because her vision issue was identified so early. I talked to my other family members about the importance of vision screening, and now three other kids in my extended family have gotten glasses.

My youngest daughter Citrine is now in the toddler group at EHS. She looks forward to going to school with her teacher Jenifer. Jenifer also makes home visits to our family. We do learning activities together such as making play dough, and talk about Citrine’s development. I also get help with issues I have. Jenifer is helping me create a friendly learning environment for Citrine in my home similar to the EHS classroom to help my husband and I get our work done while she plays and learns nearby. Jenifer has given me ideas about how to create this space with things I already have in my home so I don’t need to buy anything.

Jewel will be graduating from Southern Oregon University in June 2012 with a B.S. in Graphic Design. Ame will start Kindergarten next fall ready-to-learn, and Jaithen and Citrine will be in Head Start.

“I think it’s sad in this country that we put such emphasis on education but we aren’t funding it the way we need to for everybody to get a good education. I wish they had Early Head Start and Head Start available for everyone.” — Jewel supporting pregnancy

Lily & Eduardo’s Story

Oct 8, 2014 | Stories

Lily was 17 years old, pregnant and living with her mother when she enrolled in Early Head Start. She asked me to be her Doula. On a home visit, we talked about the kind of birthing experience she wanted. Together we created a birth plan describing how Lily wanted to be comforted during labor and her wishes concerning medical interventions.

Lily’s Birthing Plan

As Lily’s due date approached, I spoke with her after each doctor’s appointment to see how she was feeling. Lily felt calm about her birth plan and was very excited to meet her baby! She decided to give birth naturally without pain medication because it would be the best for her baby’s health.

It wasn’t long until Lily’s labor began. As the hours went by, I used the techniques we had talked about to keep her as comfortable as possible. We took several walks through the hospital halls. I massaged her feet, legs and back. Lily did squats, took several relaxing showers, and moved her body into different laboring positions. She was incredibly determined, strong, and courageous throughout the night. After a long and hard labor 8 lb. Eduardo was born! His umbilical cord was cut and he was placed on his mother’s chest. Eduardo and Lily gazed into each others eyes. Lily was so proud of herself! She told me, “It was all worth it!” Lily’s tender handling of her new baby and their successful nursing was a beautiful sight to witness.

Caring For Her Newborn

I made a post partum visit within the first two weeks of Eduardo’s birth. I gave Lily resources on caring for a newborn and asked how she was feeling about her new role as a parent. Lily said she was feeling great and Edurado was nursing well and gaining weight. Lily’s extended family were all there beaming with pride. I asked Lily what I did as her Doula that she felt helped her the most so I can better help others. She said, “Everything! All your support was so helpful”.

Recognizing Heidi Logan

May 30, 2006 | Stories

Heidi Logan, Head Start parent and the 2005-2006 Parent Policy Council Chairperson, won the National Head Start Association’s Phyllis J. Jones Memorial Scholarship Award.

Awarded to one Head Start graduate each year, the $1,500 award will help Heidi continue her dream of achieving a college degree.

Heidi’s Story

Heidi said she was always told as a child that low-income children couldn’t go to college. Through encouragement and support from Head Start staff, Heidi became a student in the criminology program at Rogue Community College. She plans to transfer to Southern Oregon University and become a juvenile corrections officer. Heidi wants to help kids who get in trouble to find a better path in life.

At the Southern Oregon Head Start 40th anniversary celebration in May 2006, Heidi spoke about what Head Start has meant to her.

“I am blessed and honored to be part of this wonderful celebration. This is not just a celebration of an organization but the celebration of the force of families and our strength to want our children to be better than what is expected of low income families. We may not have the money to financially help the program, but we have something better, the time and ambition to be part of our children’s education. I am proud to be a part of the Head Start family. Because of Head Start, I have been able to see something more in me that the staff saw in me long before I even knew I could do it. The staff is awesome and is there to help with whatever they can. Head Start will always be a big part of my heart and my life. May Head Start be here for another 40 years!”