Child Development Programs
BRAD Child Development Programs is a free Early Childhood School Readiness Program available to eligible families and young children. Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age 5 through a variety of services, including early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Our programs help children get ready to succeed in school and in life through early learning experiences tailored to their current needs and abilities. The program serves families from varied and distinct traditions and those who speak different languages as well as children with disabilities.
Services are provided to qualified families based on their income and other indicators of need.
Our Mission
The mission of BRAD Child Development Programs is to close the achievement gap by focusing on positive child and family outcomes; resulting in a better future for children, families and communities.
Our Vision
The vision of BRAD Child Development Programs is to be recognized as the best child development program in the nation.
Our Services
Children's Services
Early Learning and Development
- We build strong relationships as the foundation of early learning.
- We support learning through play, creative expression, and intentional guided activities.
- We support children’s social and emotional development.
- We promote early math and science concepts in children’s home languages and in English.
- We promote language and literacy development in children’s home language and in English.
Health and Wellness
- We promote physical development, both indoors and outdoors.
- We service nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
- We provide medical, dental, hearing, vision, developmental and social/emotional screening.
Family Partnership and Well-Being
- We provide parent and family services.
- We help families find assistance in challenging times.
- We help families identify and reach their goals, including goals related to housing, employment, education, and parenting.
- We invite parents to share information and insights about their child.
- We invite parents to offer ways to improve children and families’ experience in the program.
Disability Services
- We build on children’s strengths.
- We individualize experiences to meet the needs of each child.
- We collaborate with parents and community agencies when further assessment is needed.
Mental Health Services
- We help families understand and support their child’s needs.
- We can assist with mental health services for children and families, if needed.
Disclaimer
This website is supported by Grant Number 06CH011470,06HP000483 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Black River Area Development Corporation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
Our Locations
Black River Child Development Center
Black River Early Child Development Center
Black River Early Child Development Center #2 (The Hut)
Corning Child Development Center
James W. Graves Child Development Center
Oak Street Child Development Center
Piggott Child Development Center
Virginia Atkison Child Development Center
Funding for BRAD Child Development Programs
Black River Area Development Corporation (BRAD) Child Development Programs receives grants for child development services from Head Start, Early Head Start and Arkansas Better Chance funds. These are on-going grants for which annual non-competitive refunding proposals are submitted.
Funds are received from the Arkansas Division of Childcare as a reimbursement to serve pre-k children and the after school childcare program
Additionally, the agency receives supplemental grants through the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education for quality enhancement and for having state accredited centers. Other funds used to supplement the program are donations from local Kiwanis Cubs to support Reading is Fundamental (RIF).
BRAD Child Development Programs also receives matching funds from parents, community volunteers, schools, businesses, county and city governments, and community partners in the form of volunteer hours, building space, donations, and in-kind contributions.