Strengthening Families Protects Children.
We recognize that all children hope for a bright future. That’s why Home Start works tirelessly to help families identify and use their strengths to build a better future for themselves. We are committed to a community-based collaborative effort to reach children and families at risk in order to prevent child abuse and neglect. Our dedicated staff work on the front lines each day in the battle to keep children safe and help them thrive. Services are home-and-center based and provided free of charge or on a sliding scale. Last year we served over 28,000 families in San Diego and surrounding counties.
This philosophy applies beyond those we help to the entire San Diego region, which benefits from:
- Proven practices that stop abuse within families and in our neighborhoods
- Outreach programs that respond to specific community needs
- Education and assistance to improve parenting
Throughout our diverse and expansive network, you will find a shared commitment from our staff and partners to assure every child has a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
History of Home Start
Founded in 1972 as a highly successful national Head Start demonstration project, Home Start incorporated in 1977 as a San Diego-based, private non-profit agency dedicated to child abuse prevention and to providing evidence-based family strengthening services.
Home Start provides services to children living in poverty who require immediate, comprehensive solutions to ensure their safety and healthy development. Since our founding, Home Start’s countywide programs and services have proven to increase the stability, self-sufficiency and parenting skills of the families who receive our care.