Head Start Program
Head Start is a federally funded childhood development program serving children 3-5 years of age from low-income families. The goal of Head Start is to increase school readiness of our young children by focusing on five key developmental domains:
Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Social and Emotional Development
Approaches to Learning
Language Development and Emerging Literacy
Cognition and General Knowledge
For more information Please click on the links below:
Head Start Programs | The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov)
Congressional Head Start Act: PUBLIC LAW 110–134—DEC. 12, 2007 121 STAT. 1363 (hhs.gov)
Please click on the video for a brief introduction to the history of Head Start.
Head Start History
Head Start began in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty program launched by president Lyndon B. Johnson. Nearly half the nation's poor people were children under age 12, and Head Start was developed to respond as early as possible to the needs of poor children.
For additional information
please visit :Head Start History
HEAD START LOGO TELLS A STORY
The two squares represent early childhood by suggesting building blocks.
The arrangement of the blocks represent stairs by which this can be accomplished.
The vertical strips represent the child and parent.
The arrow pointing upward represents the direction out of poverty and on to the future.
The colors, red, white and blue represent the United States and the many opportunities it provides for its citizens.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. After the application is complete and documentation has been submitted, a Family Worker/Advocate will submit the application and documents for review by the management team. Management reviews applications for accuracy, completeness, documentation and appropriate parent signatures. Complete applications are accepted and ready for classroom placement opportunities in the current school year. Parents will receive a letter confirming your child’s application is complete, accepted, and ready for classroom placement opportunities.
2. Management also reviews the need level of your child and family. Children and families with high needs receive priority in classroom placement. Please remember that La Pen Head Start has a limited number of openings. As a federal program, we are required to enroll children with the highest needs first. This may include children that are 4 years of age and moving on to kindergarten, children with special needs, children with Individualize Education Plans (IEP), and children whose families are experiencing homelessness.
3. If your child is not placed in a classroom immediately, understand they will be considered for future openings. Please contact your Family Worker/Advocate if you have questions about classroom openings.
ELIGIBILITY FOR HEAD START
Head Start Eligibility is determined by guidelines established by the federal government and the policy committee. All of our La Peninsula locations are Head Start programs.
Please review the eligibility guidelines below. If you believe you are eligible, proceed to our locations page to find best location for you and your family.
Is your income level at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines?*
Are you experiencing homelessness?
Do you have a child with special needs?
Do you receive TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)?
Do you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)?
Are you a foster family?
Are you pregnant or do you have a child under 5?
Do you have other special circumstances that may qualify you for services?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you may qualify for Head Start Services.
Note: Parents of special needs children are highly encouraged to apply.
*Please visit U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines for more information on income eligibility.
Families seeking extended-day services must qualify for ACS Child Care Assistance Program
Enrollment is NOT first come first served. The families with the greatest needs receive services first, no matter the date of application for enrollment.