Migrant Education Even Start (MEES)

The Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) program is a statewide initiative aimed at preparing children of California migrant workers to enter Kindergarten and be successful in school. The program targets migrant and seasonal farm worker families with children ages 0 to 7. MEES works with local organizations to provide educational services to children and parenting skills to families through home and center-based programs. Depending on the need, MEES helps expand child-care services during the nontraditional hours, increases the number of available childcare slots, offers programs for parents, and provides transportation and access to services in isolated rural settings. Services are offered at 139 sites in migrant communities located within 44 California counties.

MEES is a four-year, $10 million First 5 initiative. First 5 programs are funded through Proposition 10, which adds a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold.

The program's mission is to help prepare children of migrant workers in California to be successful in school.

During the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year, the MEES program served 3,202 children and 2,847 parents. A 2007 MEES evaluation revealed that children who participated in the program increased their school readiness/developmental screening scores form 61 to 82, as measured by the Brigance Developmental Screens tool. In addition, the proportion of children receiving an "at-risk" developmental screening score decreased from 74% to 44% following program participation.