Eligibility and Selection Priorities

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Northcoast Children's Services > Programs > Eligibility and Selection Priorities

Head Start and Early Head Start Eligibility and Selection Priorities

Head Start / Early Head Start eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Families who are homeless, receiving cash aid (TANF and certain types of Social Security benefits) or Cal Fresh/SNAP benefits and children in foster care are categorically eligible.

Note: Some programs are funded by both Head Start and State funding. With these partnership programs, families must be eligible for both programs.

Head Start (Ages 3-5) Selection Priorities
  1. Eligible Early Head Start Transitions
  2. Children who are Homeless or in Foster Care
  3. Children from the Lowest Income family
  4. Families whose income is 100 – 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  5. Families whose income is over 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Early Head Start (Ages 0-3) Selection Priorities
  1. Children who are Homeless or in Foster Care
  2. Pregnant mothers
  3. Children from the Lowest Income family
  4. Youngest child on eligibility list
  5. Families whose income is 100 – 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  6. Families whose income is over 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

State Funded Program Eligibility and Selection Priorities

New enrollees in State funded programs must have incomes lower than the State Schedule of Income Ceilings.

State Preschool and Child Care Programs

Selection priorities for State Preschool & Child Care programs are:

  1. Families whose age eligible children are receiving child protective service or are at risk of being abused, neglected or exploited.
  2. Eligible returning children.
  3. 4-year-old children, who are not eligible for Transitional Kindergarten, with the lowest income.
  4. Children with exceptional needs.
  5. 3-year-old children with the lowest income.

Infant Toddler Child Care Programs

 Selection priorities for Infant Toddler Child Care programs are:

  1. Families whose age eligible children are receiving child protective service or are at risk of being abused, neglected or exploited.
  2. Age Eligible children with the lowest income rankings.

Eligibility for Full-Day Full-Year Programs

Eligible families qualify for full-day full-year programs when a need for child care is documented for:

  • Child Protective Services/At-Risk
  • Employment
  • Education/Training Toward Vocational Goals
  • Seeking Employment
  • Seeking Permanent Housing
  • Parental Incapacity

For a full list of priorities and more information on eligibility and enrollment, contact our enrollment team at 707-822-7206.

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