East Missouri Action Agency

HOW TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN HEAD START

OPTIONS:

1. Go by your local Head Start site or Community Services office.  Fill out an application.
2. Call a Head Start site.  Request that someone come by your home to fill out an application.
3. Mail in the first page of the Enroll Your Child in HEAD START form.  Save the second page.

**PARENTS NEED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. Child’s birth certificate or hospital record

2. Proof of income:

• Last year’s income tax return

• Current SSI printout from Social Security office

• Social Security Disability 1099 form or printout from Social Security office for all members of the  family

• Current TANF printout from Family Support Division

• If you do not have the above, a letter from all employers stating gross wages and beginning and ending dates of employment.

3. Parent, attorney of fact, guardian’s signature

Before your child can be enrolled we will need your child’s:                        

1. Up-to-date immunization records                               
2. Custody papers, if applicable

**If you do not have all of these, your contact person will help you. 

PRIORITY CONSIDERATIONS  

Income: The child’s income must fall below the poverty guidelines of the Administration for Children and Families. Click here to see poverty guidelines 2013.  (We realize that these guidelines are low; however, this is a federal funding requirement.)

 Age: Must be 3-years-old before August 1 and not be school-age (5-years-old before August 1).  Older children have higher priority.

 Once age and income guidelines are met, selection is based on those with the highest priorities:

 No caregiver in the home:  Both parents are working, in school or on disability or a combination of these or a single parent who meets one of these criteria receive higher priority.

Disability: Children enrolled in the school’s early childhood special education program receive higher priority.  Head Start must serve 10% children with disabilities.  Exception: Over-income children who are enrolled in the public school’s early childhood special education program will be considered if Head Start would be the best placement.

Special family circumstances also are given higher priority:  These are homelessness, living in a shelter, abuse or neglect, incarceration of a parent; recent death or terminal illness of immediate family member, disability or mental illness of immediate family member; suspected disability of the applicant child; and/or children living in a home other than a child’s parent    (e.g. relative) who has legal custody of the child.
Note: Parents can explain the above special circumstances.  A professional such as a doctor or Parents As Teachers needs to write a referral letter explaining other special circumstances or problems of the child or family.….