HELP CENTER
IS MY CHILD ELIGIBLE FOR HEAD START OR EARLY HEAD START?
Children from birth to age five from families with low income, according to the Poverty Guidelines published by the federal government, are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services.
Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of income.
Head Start programs may enroll up to 10% of children from families that have incomes above the Poverty Guidelines. Programs may also serve up to an additional 35% of children from families whose incomes are above the Poverty Guidelines, but below 130% of the poverty line if the program can ensure that certain conditions have been met.
Pregnant women may also be eligible for Early Head Start.
DOES HEAD START ACCEPT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS?
The Head Start Act of 2007 requires that, beginning in fiscal year 2009 (i.e. beginning October 1, 2008) "not less than 10 percent of the total number of children actually enrolled by each Head Start agency and each delegate agency will be children with disabilities who are determined to be eligible for special education and related services, or early intervention services...by the State or local agency providing services under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.)."
ARE CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE ELIGIBLE FOR HEAD START?
Children in foster care are Head Start eligible, regardless of family income.
WHAT IF MY INCOME LEVEL IS HIGHER THAN THE POVERTY GUIDELINES?
Head Start programs may enroll up to 10% of children from families that have incomes above the Poverty Guidelines. Programs may also serve up to an additional 35% of children from families whose incomes are above the Poverty Guidelines, but below 130% of the poverty line if the program can ensure that certain conditions described in the section 645 (a)(1)(B)(iii)(II) of the Head Start Act have been met.
ARE MEALS SERVED AS PART OF HEAD START?
Yes Head Start believes in using mealtimes as a key component of children's educational experience. Children are served healthy meals and snacks that provide a variety of color, nutrients, flavors, and textures. TOFMHS Child Care Partners serves meals family-style, which provides an opportunity for children and teachers to gather at the table to eat the same foods, serve themselves, and socialize as a group.
HOW IS HEAD START DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE HEAD START?
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) is a federally-funded, national child and family development programs which provide comprehensive services for children from six-weeks to thirty-five months, and their families. Head Start and Early Head Start services go beyond simple childcare or daycare and provide a holistic approach to serving the child and family. Services for children promote school readiness, and include early education, health, nutrition, mental health, parent involvement and services for children with special needs. EHS-CCP partners with parents around the education of their children, and incorporates research-based curriculum, ongoing child outcomes assessment, and periodic family reports regarding children’s progress.