Through the Looking Glass’ Early Head Start was established as a new ARRA-funded program, providing both center and home-based services for pregnant women, infants and toddlers and their families in Alameda County. The program was funded to serve 72 children, with 24 in the center and 48 through home visiting.

Through the Looking Glass (TLG) and its new Early Head Start Center are located at the Ed Roberts Campus, at a transit hub, the Ashby BART station in Berkeley. The campus is a model of universal design, and has many empowerment-oriented resources for people with disabilities.

TLG’s Early Head Start Program integrates babies, toddlers and parents with and without disabilities and provides “one stop shopping” for families with disabilities. This includes expectant mothers and fathers with diverse disabilities or who already have a child with a disability; parents and parenting grandparents/caregivers with disabilities and their children 0-3; and infants and children 0-3 who have disabilities, developmental delays or medical issues.

These specialized Early Head Start services have been developed within TLG, a disability and Deaf culture-based agency that has provided infant mental health, family support, developmental early intervention and disability resources and adaptations since 1982. The expertise of TLG provides diverse services, training, consultation, and assessment resources for the Early Head Start program.