Freshwater is essential to the functioning of our planet; it’s necessary to sustain healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, it’s inextricably linked to climate change, and humans depend on water to drink and grow crops and raise livestock. Several human activities (e.g. large-scale agriculture, resource extraction, infrastructure, and domestic uses) threaten the spatial connectivity of water, the quality and quantity of water for biodiversity, and the function and resilience of ecosystems. These stressors are compounded by current and projected climate change trends.
HS programs serve children (ages birth to 5) and pregnant women from families with low income and offer early learning, nutritional, health, social, family well-being, and other services. HS programs are delivered through direct awards from the federal government to agencies in local communities throughout the nation that provide services in centers, schools, family child care homes, and through home visiting. HS programs are available at no cost to families with low income. Families and children experiencing homelessness and children in the foster care system are also eligible.