New Directions Early Head Start (NDEHS) offers home-based support to families to choose the option that works best for them.

NDEHS is an inter-agency program committed to empowering and supporting pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families. The consortium is comprised of multiple agencies, including The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware, and community provider agencies.

The NDEHS consortium of agencies represents an innovative, collaborative model bringing together the University with a diverse group of non-profit community agencies to provide direct services to around 250 children and families in New Castle and Kent Counties every year. The consortium also works to have an impact on many more families and service providers by way of a capacity-building approach in the areas of child care, disability support, training, and coordination of services.

The program is designed to:

• Support children’s emotional, physical and cognitive development.
• Help parents and guardians meet their children’s and families’ needs.
• Involve parents as their child’s first teacher.

Who is eligible?

• Pregnant people
• Children from birth to three years of age
• Children with special needs
• Families who meet Early Head Start income guidelines