Initiatives

For more than two decades, the Ounce of Prevention Fund has been a leader in developing, innovating, and advancing high-quality, birth-to-five programs.

We serve 4,000 children and families through Early Head Start and Head Start programs we fund and operate in Chicago, as well as through our network of home-visiting and doula programs throughout Illinois. Our innovative programs incorporate the latest research with proven service models to narrow the academic achievement gap faced by many vulnerable children.

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  Educarenavigateright

  The Ounce of Prevention Fund developed the first Educare school in 2000 in Chicago to prepare low-income children for success in school and life. In 2003, the Ounce and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund created the Educare Learning Network to launch Educare schools across the country.

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  Home Visitingnavigateright

  In our evidence-based home visiting programs, parent coaches provide child-development and parenting information to help teen parents create safe, stimulating home environments; model positive and language-rich relationships; and ensure families are connected to medical, dental, mental-health, and other supports.

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  Early Head Start / Head Startnavigateright

  As one of only three federal Early Head Start and Head Start grant recipients in the Chicago area, the Ounce of Prevention Fund provides high-quality child care and birth-to-five services to 1,341 children through partnerships with seven community agencies.

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  Doulanavigateright

  Every year, doulas trained by the Ounce of Prevention Fund help usher in a healthy start for nearly 1,000 babies. Our network of community-based doula programs at 20 sites throughout Illinois is the first in the country to serve teen parents and to be publicly funded.