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ENROLLMENT

Enrollment is based on criteria such as income, disabilities, family needs, and education.

 

Head Start is a tuition-free early childhood education and family support program.  We provide many services for low-income families, homeless families, children in foster care and children with disabilities. Children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start Prekindergarten attend school, receive preventive health services and nutritious meals. All families receive home visits, help with social services, and parent education and leadership opportunities. Early Head Start also offers pregnant mothers and parents with infants and toddlers up to 3 years of age program services in their homes. 

 

 

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR HEAD START?

  1. Your family receives TANF benefits, SSI (disability), SNAP, or is homeless

  2. The child is in foster care; or

  3. Your family’s total gross income the last 12 months is not over the amount allowed under the Federal Poverty Guideline

HEAD START ENROLLMENT

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Ages 3 - 5

  • Children must be four or three years old on or before September 1 depending upon the center. Proof of age is required. Contact the center near you for the ages they serve.

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Income, Child/Family Needs 

  • Your child will qualify if your income is within the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition, some children may be accepted from families whose income is over the Federal Poverty Guidelines, if they have special needs (proof is required).

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  • Children with disabilities or from families with special or difficult circumstances are considered even though their income is not within the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

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  • If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications, please contact Enrollment at 541-451-1581.

EARLY HEAD START ENROLLMENT

 

Age (Pregnant women - children 36 months)

  • Children must be 36 months or younger to qualify for the program. The center-based program services children beginning at 6 weeks of age.  The home-based program serves pregnant women and families with infants, and toddlers.

 

Income

  • Your child will qualify if your income is within the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition, some children may qualify if the income from families whose income is over the Federal Poverty Guidelines, if they have special needs.

 

Child/Family Needs

  • Children with disabilities or from families with special or difficult circumstances are considered even though their income is not within the Poverty Guidelines. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications, please contact Enrollment at 541-451-1581.

REQUIRED ENROLLMENT DOCUMENTS

 

Head Start requires you to provide certain documents so that we can verify your eligibility for the program. Please have all documents available. If you don’t have everything, we will still take your application.  However, the application process cannot be completed until all documents have been received. 

 

  • Child’s birth certificate, hospital record, passport or other official document showing your child’s name and date of birth.

  • Proof that you reside in Linn County or Benton County. Examples: driver’s license, telephone bill.

  • If you are not the child’s biological parent: document to show you have custody or that you are the child’s authorized legal guardian.

  • Child with a disability: a letter from a specialist or qualified health provider identifying diagnosed impairments or disabilities.

  • Public Assistance (if applicable)

    • TANF benefits (cash grant): current benefit statement, award letter, or other letter showing you receive TANF.

    • SSI-disability: current benefit statement, award letter, or other letter showing a family member receives disability.

    • SNAP: current benefit statement, award letter, or other proof of SNAP benefits.

 

 Parent(s)/guardian(s) income for all jobs worked (if applicable):

  • Copy of current Tax return or W2s

    • Check Stubs for last 12 months

    • Signed letter from employer(s) that includes dates of employment, hours worked per week, and hourly wages (letter must have employers contact information)

    • Signed letters from family members (outside the home) who provide financial assistance

    • School financial aid statements (grants, stipends, scholarships)

    • Unemployment statements

    • Veteran’s benefits

    • Child support statements

 

  • Bank statements will not be accepted.

  • Child in foster care: Court order or Placement Letter from DHS-child welfare. Income statements are not required.

  • Family is homeless: Documents are not initially required, however, provide what you have.

Download Enrollment Document Checklist

Still have questions? Take a look at our FAQ's

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