Head Start

Eligibility Requirements

Head Start Logo

In order for families to enroll their children at Head Start / Early Head Start, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

  • Family must have income at poverty level or below and child(ren) must be age-eligible. Family must complete enrollment forms and provide documentation.
  • Families receiving SSI or TANF are automatically eligible regardless of families' income.
  • Families seeking full-day services must be working and/or attending school/training at least 30 hours per week during hours of program operation.
  • While Head Start / EHS services are free, families using full-day services must pay for child care. Child care fees are based on family size and income.
  • 35% of enrollment can have income from 100% to 130% of the poverty guidelines. Up to 10% of enrollment can be families with income greater than 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • At least 10% of enrollment must be offered to children with disabilities, inclusive of income-eligible and over-income families.
  • Enrollment is NOT first come-first served. Performance Standards require that, among the families seeking first-time enrollment, the family with the greatest need receives services first, no matter the date of application for enrollment.

Part-day, School-day and Home Base

Families must meet Federal poverty guidelines. Part-day, school-day and home base services for children and their families are free.

Full-day

Families enrolling in Head Start and/or Early Head Start must meet Federal poverty guidelines and be eligible to receive a child care subsidy. While Head Start services are free, there is a fee for child care services in full-day programming for 3 to 5-year-olds.

Child Care Collaborations

Head Start and Early Head Start families must meet Federal poverty guidelines and be eligible to receive a child care subsidy. While Head Start / Early Head Start services are free at collaboration sites, there is a fee for child care services. With the child care subsidy, families pay a child care fee based on family size and income. Families not using child care subsidy will pay the child care provider a fee for child care services as determined by the provider’s fee schedule.