Head Start provides free services for migrant children

SAN BENITO — Parents who work in agriculture can enroll their children in a Head Start program specifically for them.

The Teaching and Mentoring Communities (TMC) Migrant Seasonal Head Start is now enrolling students.

Children older than 6 weeks and younger than school age are eligible to be enrolled in MSHS for free.

Parents who work in agriculture or perform agriculture related work that make up more than 50 percent of their income, qualify.

To enroll students, they need to provide some type of proof for eligibility such as pay stubs, a copy of the most recent W-2, proof of public assistance and proof of mobility.

According to the San Benito Family Services Advocate, Bernie Nino, the center is not a daycare but a school readiness program.

MSHS offers multiple services such as a nutrition program and provide breakfast and lunch.

The center also provides health services, social services, parenthood activities and services for children with disabilities.

The MSHS offers transportation for children enrolled.

Appropriate seating with boosters are available for the children.

The TMC has been around for more than 40 years and was founded in 1977 to provide resources for migrant families like the MSHS.

MSHS is available in seven different states including Ohio, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa and Texas.

“The program follows the families,” Nino said.

There are more than 10 different locations in the Valley alone.

When students move and relocate to one of the locations, they will be able to pick up where they left off.

Nino said there are centers specifically for infants and toddlers only that are usually located near the regular MSHS.

According to the National Center for Farm Worker Health, there are an estimated 3 million migrant workers in the U. S. and 52 percent have children.