Eligibility for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
Eligibility is based on child’s age and family income.
For full and part-day programs, adjusted monthly income for families must be at or below 85% of the SMI, adjusted for family size. Eligibility is recertified annually.
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Early Head Start Home Based services, pregnant women or children 0-3 years may be enrolled and remain eligible until the child’s 3rd birthday. Children may be enrolled in the Early Head Start Centers as soon as they are 8 weeks old and remain eligible until their 3rd birthday. Once income eligibility is established, the child remains eligible until age 3.
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Part Day Head Start Programs, once income eligibility is established, the child is eligible for the current and following school year (if age eligible).
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Head Start and State Preschool programs, children must be 3 or 4 years old by December 2nd. A Child with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be enrolled as soon as they turn 3.
