Migrant Head Start Programs

This website is operated and supported by Riverside County Office of Education and while the Riverside County Office of Education is a Head Start grantee, neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the Riverside County Office of Education and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

Work in Agriculture?

Your child could be eligible for FREE Preschool or Family Child Care (FCC) Services through Migrant Head Start Programs. We are funded through a Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Head Start federal grant.

Who We Serve 

  • Children of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (crops/bees/spirulina/meat processing/nursery/agricultural goods transportation)
  • Ages six weeks old through five years
  • We welcome children with disabilities
  • Services offered in Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Mecca, and Thermal areas (FCC services provided at all locations)
  • Eligibility is based on at least one family member whose income comes primarily from agricultural employment, regardless of total family income.

If you are interested in applying (choose any option):

1) Please use our Contact Us form

2) Call any of the program locations (see phone numbers below)

3) Call (760) 337-1555 to receive general information

4) Send us a message on Facebook @rcoemhsp 

Vision  

To promote school readiness, recruit, and enroll children with disabilities, and a strong community and parent involvement.

Mission Statement

Riverside County Office of Education Migrant Head Start Programs, in partnership with parents and community partners, facilitates access to comprehensive services for eligible migrant/seasonal farm worker children and their families. We provide a foundation for early childhood education, parental awareness and training of child health, growth, and development. We ensure an environment of responsive care-giving that leads towards school-readiness.

Program Goals

MHSP’s overall goal is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children of low-income families through the provision of health, educational, transportation, nutritional, social, emotional, family engagement, and other services based on family needs assessments. Recruitment and enrollment of children with disabilities is a major priority.

Ten percent of enrollment opportunities are for children with disabilities. In addition, up to ten percent of enrollment may be children from over-income families. The MHSP includes strong community and parent involvement through the local Parent Committees, the MHSP Policy Council, and many other community volunteers.

We encourage self-sufficiency, growth, and independence for children and families within their communities. To maximize effectiveness, we foster innovative practices and collaboration as well as encourage acceptance and respect for diversity.

Program Locations

Center-based services are available for preschool and toddlers (ages 20 months through 5 years old) and FCC services (ages 6 weeks old through 5-year-olds) are provided through partnerships with Licensed Family Child Care (FCC) providers at all locations. 

Brawley Center
1455 East Magnolia
Brawley, CA 92227

(760) 344-9083

Calexico Center
1120 East 7th Street
Calexico, CA 92231
(760) 768-3500

El Centro Center
375 South 1st Street
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-3940

Mecca Center
62-900 Lincoln Avenue, Suite P
Mecca, CA 92254
(760) 863-3350

Thermal Center
87-220 Church Street
Thermal, CA 92274
(760) 863-3250

Contact

Jose E. Martinez
Executive Director
emartinez@rcoe.us
(760) 337-1555

El Centro MHS Main Office
370 Aurora Drive
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-1555
(760) 337-1478 (Fax)

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