Subject:    Three New HomeStart Providers in Hancock County
Date:       Monday, June 10, 2002
Contact:    Phyllis Young or Luann Corkins Tel. 667-2995

Child and Family Opportunities (CFO) is pleased to announce the addition of three new certified family child care providers to its HomeStart program.   Esther Berry operator of The Berry Patch in Bucksport; Nicola Fredericks operator of Cadippidars and Flutterbyes in Ellsworth; and Patti Gray operator of Pat's Place in Trenton, have joined  Kelly Brown operator of  M & M Day Care in Lamoine as providers of HomeStart for CFO.

HomeStart provides children and families with comprehensive Head Start services in small, multi-age family child care home settings. Head Start services include health screenings, nutrition assessments, age appropriate curriculum and parent education and training. Helping families access other social service agencies is also an important component of the program.  Nutritious meals and snacks are included in the program. 

CFO's HomeStart program is for infants/toddlers and preschoolers whose families need year-round, full-day child care services and meet the eligibility requirements for the program. The requirements include income eligibility based on family size and income and being employed or enrolled in school or a training program that requires the child to be in child care. Families in the program receive subsidized child care.

Openings are available and applications are being accepted. For more information, call HomeStart Coordinator Judith Cullen at Child and Family Opportunities at 667-2995 or 1-800-834-4378.  Applications can be requested at the same number from Enrollment Specialist, Luann Corkins.