BY MECHELE COOPER

Staff Writer

Families can now benefit from an early childhood development program in their homes.

Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization, is offering a home-based early Head Start program this fall to parents with infants and toddlers.

Kathleen Beauregard, project management consultant, said the program is designed for parents who prefer to enrich their child's early development at home.

Cheryl Socquet, support services manager, said eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines, family size and income.

A family of four with an income of $22,050 would be eligible, she said.

"We certainly look at other factors -- including income and age -- and then we look at family situations," Socquet said Wednesday. "They're eligible if they're receiving public assistance or if a child or parent has a disability.

"We look at various risk factors."

She said parents enrolled in the home-based program have the option of play dates each month with other families.

Beauregard said parents will get together for "peer support" and enjoy a fun and friendly environment where they can learn more about their children.

Transportation to these play dates is available.

Beauregard said other organizations with home-visiting programs in the region cannot serve all interested families, so the home-based early Head Start is a needed addition.

Michele Pino, executive director of the corporation, said the preschool programs are seeing an increasing number of 4-year-old children with developmental delays that have not been assessed or addressed, putting these children at a significant disadvantage for success in school.

"With this new home-based early Head Start program, we will be able to assist parents early to address questions about their infants' or toddlers' development and support the family with developmental learning activities and links with special services," Pino said. "Together we can make a real and early difference for children."

For more information about the program, call Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation at 582-3110. Parents can download an application for the program at www.skcdc.org

"We're very excited we're going to be able to offer this program for families in this area," Socquet said. "We're focusing on the Greater Gardiner area, we service southern Kennebec County. We've identified a need here. There are families who would benefit from this."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com