WHat is EARLY head start?
Early Head Start offers a home-based option serving 72 income eligible infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families. Families are visited each week for 1 1/2 hours. These visits focus on working with the parent to help the child to explore, learn, and grow. Home visitors work with the parents to assure that all well-baby checks and immunizations are on track.
All families receive a variety of services and opportunities for fun! Our highly skilled Family Advocates and Home Visitors assist families with setting goals and connecting them to other social services so they are able to become more self-sufficient. Monthly family activities allow families to enjoy one another and their school community. They also provide the opportunity to talk about important family and parenting topics.
In Montgomery County, Early Head Start has a toddler classroom as part of their CAP Kids Child Care. This program offers full-day/full-year child care services for toddlers from 18-36 months.
Parent Resources
Call your local Head Start Center to schedule an appointment to complete an application. View our locations below for contact information.
DO I QUALIFY?
Family incomes must be at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Children from homeless families and families receiving SNAP, TANF, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also eligible. Foster children are eligible regardless of the foster family’s income.
Early Head Start is offered in the following Indiana counties: Benton, Boone, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Vermillion, and Warren.
VERIFICATION PROCESS
Families will need to provide income verification for the prior 12 months or calendar year (W2, pay stubs, etc.), copies of the child’s official birth certificate, child’s immunization records, child’s Hoosier Healthwise number (if applicable) and guardianship or name change documentation (if applicable).
Applications are completed by a staff person by appointment. All children and families are given a rating based on our criteria checklist. Families with the highest scores (indicating the greatest need) are given priority for enrollment. Children are removed from the waiting list as openings become available throughout the program year.