Learning@Home

Your Commitment to Success!

CAP Tulsa’s Learning@Home program is available to expectant parents or families with children from newborn through 4 years old. To help ensure that your family benefits from the Learning@Home program, we ask that you:

Attend home visits, with your child, as scheduled. Regular attendance is necessary for your family to gain the most from Learning@Home.
Keep your contact information up-to-date and review it regularly so you can be reached in case of an emergency and to receive program updates through email and text.
Be an active participant during home visits by joining your child in activities, which promote literacy and learning. This visit is a special time for you to focus on your child and your child’s development.
Please turn off the television and put away pets or other distractions during home visits.
Please put away your cell phone, except for emergencies.
Attend monthly Group Connections meetings.
Keep your child’s immunizations/well-child exams/dental exams up to date, follow up on any medical needs that arise, and provide documentation to program staff.
Work with CAP Tulsa staff to establish a medical home if your child does not have a primary doctor.
Work with CAP Tulsa staff to establish a dental home if your child does not have a dentist.

What you can expect during home visits

You and your Parent Educator will decide on a regular day and time for home visits that works best for you. Your Parent Educator will visit you and your family at your home or other agreed-upon location at least twice each month. Each visit will last from 60 to 90 minutes. You, your spouse/partner, your child’s brothers, sisters, and any other household members can take part in the visit. Please let your Parent Educator know in advance if a guest will be present during the visit. Home Visits may also be completed virtually when in-person visits are not possible. Talk to your Parent Educator if you would like to have a virtual visit.

You and your Parent Educator will talk about your child and how things are going with your family. You and your Parent Educator will plan learning activities together for you to do with your child during home visits and during the time between visits. Your Parent Educator will also explore the family goals you want to achieve during your time in the program. Over time, as you get to know one another, you and your Parent Educator will become partners in helping your child grow and learn.

At least once a month, you and your child will have the opportunity to meet with other children and parents during Group Connections. Parent Educators will be there to introduce you to other parents and lead the event. Your Parent Educator will let you know when and where these events will take place. They will also talk to you about what you would like to see take place at future Group Connections. Sometimes Group Connections are conducted virtually.

Choosing Childbirth Program

Families who are enrolled in Learning@Home who are expecting a new child may also participate in our free Choosing Childbirth (CCB) program. CCB is dedicated to supporting Learning@Home pregnant mothers and those with newborns up to six months old. Our Family Services Navigators (FSN) connect with mothers to offer vital information on healthy pregnancies, emotional & mental health support, self-advocacy, new baby preparations, and community resources.

We host monthly Group Connections where mothers can discuss these topics, share experiences, and build social connections. CCB services are available in both English and Spanish.

CCB participants also receive additional mental health screenings, access to mental health care, adult vision screenings, and vouchers for free glasses. Babies born under CCB receive essential hearing and vision screenings with referrals as needed. Based on individual needs, families will have access to support items such cribs, pack n’ plays, car seats, diapers and wipes, baby items, gift cards and much more.

Based on individual needs, our Family Services Navigators provide community referrals for financial assistance, food, nutrition, rent, utilities, clothing, childcare, healthcare, required documents, phone, internet, transportation, SNAP, WIC, family support, legal aid, adoption, education, and more. We follow up on these referrals to ensure families receive the services and support needed.

CCB is committed to empowering mothers and ensuring the well-being of both mother and child through comprehensive support and resources. Ask your Parent Educator about joining the CCB program.

Curriculum and Assessments

Our highly qualified, trained, and certified Parent Educators use the Parents as Teachers Foundational Curriculum to provide opportunities to interact with your child and bring individualized information to help you understand your child’s development. Your Parent Educator will collaborate with you to guide and support your child’s learning and development in the areas of Language, Cognition, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Social-Emotional, and Physical Health. Through observations and assessments, you and your Parent Educator will review your child’s progress during home visits.

Attendance

It is important that you complete regular home visits as scheduled so that you and your child have the best possible experience in the Learning@Home program. You will schedule home visits at times agreed upon by you and your Parent Educator. For the most successful home visits, children should be awake.

Missing more than three scheduled home visits can result in dismissal from the program. If you need to reschedule a home visit, please let your Parent Educator know as soon as possible.

Illness

You should not take part in home visits or socials if you or a member of the family has a sore throat, earache, stomachache, fever, or any suspected contagious illness. Family members must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever medication and have no other signs of illness to participate in a home visit or Group Connection. This will help your family regain their health quickly and will protect other families in the program. If you need to cancel a home visit due to illness, please notify your Parent Educator as soon as possible.

Inclement Weather

At times, we will cancel home visits or program events due to inclement weather conditions. CAP Tulsa’s Learning@Home program will follow public school districts in their decisions to close due to ice, snow, or other hazardous weather conditions. Please be sure to keep your phone number updated with your Parent Educator so we can notify you of closures or other emergencies. Your Parent Educator may offer you the option to complete the visit virtually instead of rescheduling. Let your Parent Educator know if you want to have a virtual visit.

Positive Guidance

Learning social-emotional skills is an important stage of a child’s educational development. These skills include acceptance, positive and helpful behavior, cooperation, appropriate conflict resolution, respect for self and others, and self-regulation. These social-emotional skills are the foundation for academic learning.

Corporal punishment (spanking) is not used in our Learning@Home program, nor is it allowed at our events.

Parent Committees and Program Governance

It is important for parents to take part in activities that support the education and development of their child as well as in programs that support the family.

First Five Years:
We invite you to participate in our program for parents that focuses on ways to build a strong foundation for your child. These fun interactive sessions occur each school year and focus on topics such as preventing problems, encouraging positive behavior, and preparing your child for school success. Talk with your Parent Educator or Family Support Specialist (FSS) to find out the days and times of these sessions.

Group Connections:
These monthly meetings let you learn about what is going on in the program, what parents can do at home to improve their child’s learning, and opportunities to interact with their children, program staff, and other parents.

Early Childhood Program (ECP) Policy Council:
As required for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, ECP Policy Council is part of the formal structure of shared governance with the CAP Tulsa Board of Directors. Parents of children enrolled in the program participate in policy-making and other decisions that impact the program. CAP Tulsa schools and home-based program elect Policy Council (PC) Representatives to serve on the council. Meetings are held regularly to share ideas for program improvements and vote on decisions for policies, budgets, and grant applications. Representatives learn new skills in leadership, decision-making, finance, and communication. PC Representatives also serve as officers on the Policy Council Executive Committee and the Chairperson serves on the CAP Tulsa Board of Directors. If you would like more information about how to participate in the ECP Policy Council, please reach out to your FSS or Parent Educator.

Volunteers:
CAP Tulsa wants to include families in all areas of the program. Parent and Family Volunteers are always welcome to provide time and talent during events. Ask your Parent Educator about ways you can volunteer.

Parents As Teachers (PAT) Satisfaction Survey:
Your input is very important to us. This annual survey allows parents to give their feedback about program quality.

See your Parent Educator for more information about these parent involvement opportunities.

Family Supports

We help parents and caregivers create a secure and nurturing environment for their families by focusing on parenting, education, and economic success. Your Family Services Navigator can help you connect with programs and services offered by CAP Tulsa and direct you to valuable community resources.

English as a Second Language:
The ESL program is free for CAP Tulsa parents who want to learn everyday English skills. These classes help you become more involved in your child’s education and better able to connect with others. For more information talk to your Parent Educator or Family Support Advocate, call 918-382-3366, or visit captulsa.org/our-programs/family-support/esl

See (PG #) of the Family Handbook for additional information regarding Family Advancement opportunities such as ESL programs.

Behavioral Health Services:
As a parent, you want what is best for your child, but it is not always easy to know what type of support they need. An Early Childhood Therapist (ECT) can provide help to your family in a variety of ways. Their services range from improving your child's social skills, self-control, and problem-solving to improving your parent/child relationship. ECT can also help support your mental wellness through a variety of services. Talk with your Parent Educator or Family Services Navigator for more information about Behavioral Health Services available in our program and through community referrals.

Health Services:
Your child’s health is important to us, and good health is necessary for school readiness. CAP Tulsa tracks and monitors your child’s health milestones to ensure your child is up-to-date and on track for healthy well-being. Our program requires that your child has an established medical/dental home for early intervention and well-child care. If you do not have an established medical/dental home, CAP Tulsa will work with you to help you find one.

Early Childhood Program Health Requirements

Every parent must submit a current immunization record for their child and maintain up-to-date records throughout their child’s enrollment. You will get a notification if your child’s immunization becomes past due. You will have 14 business days to present updated immunization information once you receive notice. If immunizations are not provided, your child will be excluded from group activities until current immunization records are received.

Our program requires that EVERY child be current and remain up to date with the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Well Child Exam guidelines.

EPSDT Well Child Exam Guidelines
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
15 months
18 months
24 months
30 months
36 months
Every Year Thereafter

Per State of Oklahoma guidelines, children are required to have a dental exam at first tooth or by age one (whichever comes first). This can be accomplished with the child's pediatrician (if the child is under two years old) or with a dentist. A copy of the exam must be submitted to CAP Tulsa Health Services per program requirements. For children two and over, a dental exam from a qualified dental provider must be on file with CAP Tulsa Health Services.

Lead screenings must be conducted at ages 12 months and 24 months. If your child did not receive a screening at those times, your child must receive a screening before the age of five.

During enrollment, parents signed consent to allow CAP Tulsa’s Health Services Team to provide a lead screening which consists of a finger stick blood sample collection from your child’s finger. This screening will take place at a group social if we do not receive documentation of lead testing for your child.

One-time Hematocrit and Hemoglobin screening (H&H) must occur between the ages of 9 to 12 months. This can be done during your well-child exam or a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) evaluation. If documentation of H&H testing is not received, this screening may be done during a home visit or group connection.

Your child will receive sensory screenings, which include hearing and vision, by CAP Tulsa Early Childhood Program Staff within 45 days of enrollment.

We expect you to follow up with any medical, sensory, or dental needs that arise and provide documentation to CAP Tulsa Early Childhood Program Staff.

SoonerCare/SNAP/WIC
Medical insurance through SoonerCare and supplemental food may be available to your child at no cost. SoonerCare is Oklahoma’s health insurance program for children and eligible adults. This program is offered through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits serve as the first line of defense against hunger by providing low-income families the opportunity to buy nutritious food in authorized retail food stores and Farmers’ Markets. WIC is another supplemental nutrition program that contributes to healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and healthy children. For more information or assistance with enrollment, contact your Parent Educator or FSS.