Important developmental stages occur in the mind and body of the young child. Research demonstrates that preschoolers have already developed life-long attitudes that pave the way for subsequent behaviors. Healthy habits begin to take hold, as well as those that are harmful. Learning how to make healthy choices for their minds and bodies is one of the most important skills young children can gain.

Our Early Childhood Development services focus on the child’s well-being, but are delivered through child care providers throughout our community and the nation. Licensed child care centers, home providers and child-serving agencies can take advantage of a number of free or low-cost resources to strengthen programming, reimburse meals, address serious misbehaviors and prepare immigrant children for school. Call (402) 451-6244 for information.

You can enrich the lives of young children.

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact the volunteer coordinator to:

• Catalog and organizing materials in our Resource Center
• Assist with materials preparation for the HALO and child care trainings
• Organize a Wish List collection
• Assist with end-of-the month clerical tasks

Donation Opportunities

• Items from the Young Child Wish List
• A field trip
• A monetary gift

Programs in this category

• Care Connection
• Child & Adult Food Program
• Child Care Resource Center
• Child Care Training
• HALO
• Kid Squad
• School Readiness

Care Connection

The Care Connection program offers resource and referral services to Omaha-area employees whose employer has contracted with Heartland Family Service to provide such benefits, or to individuals who pay a fee for the service. Area child care providers are encouraged to sign up with the program in order to have employees referred to their program. No fees are charged to the provider for these referrals. Call (402) 552-7000.

Child & Adult Food Program

This USDA program offers to family day care providers consultation, training and reimbursement in order to promote high-quality nutrition for children. Over 1,500 family day care homes in the metro area are eligible for this financial benefit. In addition, staff assists persons who are interested in starting a family care home with licensing, business and tax information, program and activity development, and referrals from families seeking child care in their area. Staff is available to answer questions on the phone. Call (402) 457-7766. Read More

Child Care Resource Center

This neighborhood center for parents, child care providers, teachers and others offers an abundance of information, loaned materials, training and support on family issues and child development. The center, located in the Heartland Family Service North Omaha Office at 6720 North 30th Street, is available to persons from all over the metro area. Information and materials are available through personal checkout or by mail request and return. Call (402) 457-7769.

Child Care Training

Professional training and consultation is offered to the staff of centers and family care homes that wish to enhance the quality of their programs, as well as to businesses considering child care issues. Several training sessions per month are offered, to assist child care providers in meeting continuing education requirements. We also conduct a 9-month management training program through the Early Childhood Training Center. In addition, classes are offered to parents and child care providers that cover discipline, nutrition, safety and CPR. Call (402) 457-7779.

HALO

HALO is a substance abuse prevention program for young children, designed to educate and build life skills while emphasizing the importance of growing in healthy ways. The children are involved in a twelve-unit program that mixes songs, games, and hands-on activities with messages about healthy choices. Read More

Kid Squad

“Kid Squad” is an early childhood consultation program that provides therapeutic consultation, training and support to child care providers who have preschool-age kids with behavior problems. Services are offered at no cost to child care homes and centers. The program is a tested model that supports the healthy social and emotional development of young children through strategies that help their child care providers and parents. Staff persons are childhood educators and mental health practitioners with expertise in early childhood, social and emotional development, and the needs of young families. They help child care providers develop staff skills, implement effective classroom strategies, and solve problems with challenging children or families under stress. The focus is on helping young children develop the positive behavioral skills that will lead to success in school, family, and community.

KID SQUAD is a cooperative program of the Center for Holistic Development, Child Saving Institute, Early Childhood Training Center, Heartland Family Service, and Munroe-Meyer Institute. The Buffet Early Childhood Foundation provided funding support for this program.

School Readiness

Omaha is home to a large international community with an estimated population of 10,000 Sudanese; 2,000 Somali and Somali-Bantu; 1,000 Karen; 100 Burundi and many others. Upon arrival to the United States, families are faced with numerous challenges. Preparing their children for school is just one of them.

Research indicates that children with a broad range of learning experiences before they enter kindergarten are more successful in school. This program, offered in a number of locations throughout the area, provides educational support to children 3-6 years of age. It takes a community-wide approach to assisting parents and caregivers in the international community in preparing their children for kindergarten. Families get help enrolling their children in quality preschool programs. Training is provided to families, friends and neighbors on school readiness skills, literacy concepts and family wellness. A holistic approach addresses separation anxiety and incorporates socialization skills along with educational goals.

The School Readiness Program is a collaboration between Heartland Family Service and the YMCA, funded by United Way of the Midlands.