Sharon
Burbelo, Maternal Family Health Liaison at The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial,
holds a “Future M-DCPS Grad” bib that is included in the care package for
parents of newborns delivered at Jackson Health System hospitals.
Miami-Dade
County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Jackson Health System have teamed up to share
information with parents of newborns on the importance of high-quality
education from an early age and to highlight programs that are available in the
community.
As a result of
this partnership, M-DCPS will be providing a care package that includes a “Future
M-DCPS Grad” bib, hand sanitizer and information on various stimulating
early learning programs to families having babies at Jackson – South Florida’s
first designated Baby Friendly health system. The Jackson Health System (JHS) includes
four hospitals where babies are delivered: The Women’s Hospital at Jackson
Memorial, Jackson North Medical Center, Jackson South Medical Center and José
Milton Memorial Hospital at Jackson West Medical Center.
The early
learning programs focus on social-emotional, language and cognitive development
and prepare young learners for school readiness. Research has demonstrated the
critical importance of the first five years of a child’s life to brain
development. The experiences and interactions children have in these early
years help to establish the foundation for future learning.
What does
M-DCPS offer by age?
·
Age 0-2: Early Head Start: M-DCPS offers free
infant and toddler programs for children from birth to age 2 from
income-eligible families in select schools across Miami-Dade County through the
Early Head Start program funded by Miami Dade County Community Action &
Human Services Department (CAHSD) Head Start/Early Head Start. Families can
apply online at headstart.dadeschools.net or in person at one of the schools
offering the program. Applications are
accepted year-round.
·
Age 3: Head Start: The M-DCPS Head Start program, funded by Miami
Dade County CAHSD Head Start/Early Head Start provides full-day education
health, nutrition, and family engagement services to children beginning at age
3. Income-eligible families can apply online at headstart.dadeschools.net or in
person at one of the schools offering the program. Applications are accepted year-round.
·
Age 3: Inclusion/Reverse Mainstream Program: The Department of
Early Childhood Programs offers placement for 3-year-old children in their
Pre-K special education inclusion and reverse mainstream programs across the
District. This program provides a free, full-day opportunity for qualifying
students to serve as role models.
·
Age 4: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program: The Voluntary
Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) is a free educational program designed to
prepare 4- and 5-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their
academic success. M-DCPS VPK programs
can be found in over 200 public schools across Miami-Dade County.
JHS’ Baby-Friendly
designation is a highly coveted support standard of care, promoted by the World
Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The program
recognizes healthcare facilities that give mothers the information, confidence,
and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding or
feeding their babies formula safely. It also encourages new moms and babies to
stay together in the same room from the moment of birth and promotes
skin-to-skin contact as much as possible.
For more
information, visit the M-DCPS Department of Early Childhood Programs website at
https://earlychildhood.dadeschools.net or call 305-995-7632. Attached is a flier
listing available programs by age group.
For more
information about Jackson Health System’s maternity services visit JacksonMaternity.org.
For the most
up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your
iPhone or Android device. Follow us on Twitter @mdcps
and @miamisup,
on Instagram @miamischools and @miamisup, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools and AlbertoCarvalho.
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