Head Start and Early Head Start
Program Description
The Head Start program (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start program (for pregnant women, infants and toddlers) promote school readiness for children in low-income families by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services. Parents play a large role in the programs, both as primary educators of their children and as participants in administering the programs locally. Both programs provide pre-literacy and literacy experiences in a multicultural environment. Parents are also provided social services, including assistance with child care. Services are also available to migrant and seasonal farmworker families.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child who is too young for public school.
If you do not meet these criteria, you may still qualify if you are a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident whose financial status is low income or very low income, who is under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed, facing pregnancy, less than 19 years of age yourself, or the parent or primary caregiver for children under the age of 19 years. Other qualifications may apply.
