Funded in July 1996, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this innovative program serves children ages 6 weeks through 3 years of age. The JCCDC Early Head Start Family Child Care program currently serves 36 eligible children and their families and 6 expectant mothers. These full-day, full-year services are provided near parents’ homes in a licensed family day care home where no more than 8 children are enrolled with 2 adults always in the home. This low adult-child ratio offers more individualized care, more opportunity for identification of children who have special needs or are victims of child abuse/neglect, provides nurturing life experiences for children in a home setting, allows parents to observe positive adult-child interaction, and provides training opportunities for a parent to become a self-employed family day care provider. Family or group home day care providers who contract with the JCCDC to provide Early Head Start educational services to eligible children are required as part of their contract to participate in regular training opportunities provided by JCCDC staff and/or Training consultants. Workshops are held on topics such family day care business management, use of space to promote play and learning, child growth and development, and educational guidelines for the Early Head Start program.