To be eligible for services, applicants must be pregnant or have a child age 0 to 5 years old. All applicants are categorically eligible based on age, income, homelessness, foster child and/or Early Head Start Transition. (5 year old applicants must not be eligible for kindergarten enrollment at a public school. In general the public school cutoff date for kindergarten entrance is September 1st.)
Head Start Selection/Enrollment Priorities
- Eligible Early Head Start Transition
- Children who are Homeless or in Foster Care
- Children from the Lowest Income family
- 100 – 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Over 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Early Head Start Selection/Enrollment Priorities
- Children who are Homeless or in Foster Care
- Pregnant mothers
- Children from the Lowest Income family
- Youngest child on eligibility list
- 100 – 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Over 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- A family may be eligible for services due to receipt of public assistance (TANF, Cal Works), Supplemental Security Income, or foster care placement.
- At least 10% of the number of enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with diagnosed special needs. Once enrollment of children eligible for services under IDEA reaches 10%, selection for remaining available slots will be made in accordance with the selection criteria listed above.
- Families who are over income (above Federal Poverty Guidelines) become eligible when there are no more income eligible applicants on the wait list.
See Federal Poverty Guidelines at: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines