Prison Program Allows On-Site Early Head Start Program

While reading a lengthy article on a women's prison in Kentucky that allows weekly bonding time for incarcerated mother and their newborn children, I came across a interesting Head Start program towards the end the of the five-page piece.

At the Washington Corrections Center for Women, the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) operates an Early Head Start program for female immates who are either pregnant or have newborns:

"Home-based services are also provided by Early Head Start Family Educators to pregnant women and newborns living on J Unit. Services include weekly home (cell) visits to provide prenatal education and information about infant health and development, to screen for maternal depression, and to promote positive parent-child interaction. Family Educators also work with RPP families and corrections staff to develop individualized transition plans as the family approaches release from WCCW. This is done to insure each family will have the support it needs to make a smooth transition back into its community."