Home-Visiting Program at El Valor is a free program that brings early childhood education directly to your home. Serving expectant parents and families with children from birth to age 3, our home visitors provide weekly lessons, developmental guidance, and family support across Chicago neighborhoods.
Who This Program Is For
This program is for expectant parents and families with babies and toddlers who want a strong start, right from home. Whether you are pregnant with your first child or caring for a toddler, our team meets you where you are.
Maybe you are a new parent with questions about your baby’s development. Maybe you want your child to be ready for preschool but are not sure where to begin. Maybe you just want someone in your corner who understands your language, your culture, and your community. That is what we are here for.
A trained home visitor comes to your home once a week for 90 minutes, at a time that works for your schedule. Each visit includes a planned lesson using our research-based curriculum. Your home visitor brings activities, ideas, and materials, and they bring them in your language.
These visits are not about telling you how to parent. They are about building on what you already know. You share what you want your child to learn next, and together you plan future visits around your goals.
Our educators are trained to track your child’s developmental milestones. If your child might need a little extra support, we will be the first to notice, and the first to help. We provide screenings and walk you through the referral process for early intervention or therapy services, step by step.
Many families feel uncertain about navigating the special education or early intervention systems, especially when language is a barrier. You will never have to do that alone. Our team knows the system, and we go through it with you.
In addition to home visits, your family is invited to regular group gatherings at our centers. This is a chance for your child to play with other children their age. It is also a chance for you to meet other parents, share experiences, and build friendships that last.
If you are pregnant, this program starts before your baby is born. We help you prepare for a healthy birth by focusing on prenatal health, dental care, nutrition, and your own emotional well-being. Because how you feel matters, for you and for your baby.
When your child turns three, they can move directly into El Valor’s Head Start preschool program. The teachers, the community, and the culture of care stay the same. Your family does not start over. You simply move forward.
Families with infants and toddlers who need full-day care may also be eligible for our center-based Early Head Start program.
Every family in our program receives:
This program serves families with lower incomes, using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Families receiving SNAP benefits, families experiencing homelessness, and families with children who may need developmental support may also receive priority. Our team will help you determine if you qualify.
Our enrollment team will review your information and reach out to schedule an initial meeting. We will learn about your family, answer your questions, and match you with a home visitor who fits your needs. From there, visits begin on a schedule that works for you.
The home-Visiting Program is an initiative where a trained educator visits your home each week to work with you and your child on developmental activities. It combines early childhood education with family support, all in the comfort of your own home.
You can start by submitting an inquiry through our enrollment page. Our team will review your information and contact you to discuss eligibility and next steps. Because this program often has a waitlist, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Yes. Our program begins during pregnancy. We support expectant parents with prenatal health education, emotional well-being resources, and preparation for your baby’s arrival.
Children who complete our Home-Visiting Program can move directly into El Valor’s Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. This gives your family continuity and your child a familiar, trusted community as they prepare for kindergarten.
Yes. Our Home-Visiting Program is funded through federal Early Head Start and state Prevention Initiative grants. Most families with lower incomes qualify at no cost. Our enrollment team will walk you through the eligibility process.
