Lewiston Firefighter Mark Stevens poses with, front from left, Cadence Libby, Colby Brooks, Kenniesha Felder, Jessalyn Herrick, Michael Gary and Rachel Gary. Austin Levesque is being held by Mary Thibeault, home visitor.

Head Start celebrates home visiting

LEWISTON – Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care’s home-based program celebrated Home Visiting Week Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. Mark Stevens from the Lewiston Fire Department visited the center, located on River Street, and spoke with the families in the program about fire safety. The home-based program supports parents and children by expanding parents’ role as primary educator of their children. Home-based visitors offer the comprehensive services offered through Head Start classroom-based programs, such as medical and dental screenings, health and nutrition and parent and family involvement. Services are provided to pregnant women as well as children, birth to age 5.

Home visitors connect parents to community resources and share parenting activities that help children achieve developmental milestones, preparing them to enter school ready to learn. For more information regarding the program, call 795-4040. Applications for Head Start programs are accepted at any time. Most programs are free to eligible children. Full-day child care services are available on a sliding fee scale for parents who are working, continuing their education or participating in job training. Call 795-4040 for more information or visit www.androkids.com.