Annual Report EHS 23 | Child Development Resources

Early Head Start helped Larissa and her three children along with Dolly Suid, EHS Family Advocate.

Even before she had her first child nine years ago, Larissa Francis knew she would need parenting help and support.

Four months into her pregnancy, Larissa began actively searching for a local resource that would provide mentoring and practical information to help her grow in her new role as a mom.

She learned about CDR’s Early Head Start (EHS) program and knew right away that she had to make contact.

“I didn’t know anything about having children,” said Larissa. “I didn’t know what to look for, or what I needed to know about money management and health. It was all new to me.”

Larissa was matched with an EHS Family Advocate and began learning about baby care, developmental milestones, vaccinations, and even how to eat well during her pregnancy.

Soon after her son, Skylar, was born, Larissa learned that he had a speech delay. With individualized speech therapy from CDR’s Infant & Parent Program (IPP), Skylar’s speech improved so much that by the time he entered Kindergarten, he had caught up with his peers. “We witnessed amazing progress,” said Larissa. “We were so proud.”

“CDR made me a better parent,” Larissa said. When her other children—Lileigh, now 6, and Shayne, now 4—were born, she continued receiving advice and support from CDR’s Early Head Start program.

“I’m so very grateful CDR was there to help me,” she said.