Eligibility

Enrollment requirements for Early Head Start and Head Start services are based on: 

• The child’s age.
• Family income in the last 12 months or preceding calendar year.
• Whether the family or child qualifies as homeless.
• Whether the child is currently in foster or kinship care.
• The family’s use of TANF or SSI.

Enrollment factors may also include:

• Parental status: Whether the child lives with a single parent, pregnant mother, teen parent or non-biological custodian.
• Disability status: Whether the child has an IEP/IFSP, including whether the child has a disability, is suspected of having a disability or is referred by a qualified mental health professional.
• Other possibly related circumstances:
  • Terminal illness or death in the family.
  • History of domestic violence.
  • History of substance abuse.
  • Referrals from social service agencies.
  • The mental health of the parent(s).
  • Non-English-speaking family.
  • Recent immigrant or refugee family.
  • Incarcerated parent.
  • Parent(s) current active duty service in the military.