What: HOPE the Bus and HOPE on Wheels: Two recreational vehicles (RVs) transformed into innovative early education experiences. In addition, both are wheelchair accessible and can convert into a meeting room, exam room, recruitment center, training or office space.
Why: The HOPE units are state-of-the-art vehicles that bring early education services to families across Los Angeles County. The need for early education services for young children in LA County is severe, especially for children with disabilities and families with limited/no income. So, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) looked for innovative ways to create a “we come to you” method that improves children’s access to these critical services.
Who: In addition to supporting services at Head Start programs and early education sites, both HOPE buses will serve as recruitment/outreach centers at various events to give children and families an up-close look at early education services designed to get children ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.
The difference: HOPE on Wheels is designed for children with disabilities from birth to three years old and will bring services directly to children at regional centers and Early Head Start sites across Los Angeles County.
HOPE the Bus can assist to provide a space for Head Start activities, exams, meeting with parents, educating parents, and other facets of comprehensive services, given its multi-functional and convertible environment. It can also serve as a space for home visits for families in transition who are living in hotels or other places that have a “no-visitor” policy.
How: Services will be implemented by trained staff. A trained and licensed RV driver will operate each vehicle.
COVID-19: All staff will follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s physical distancing, sanitizing, protective gear, and hand-washing requirements.