Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start
https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/early-learning-child-care/head-start.html
Head Start is primarily a federally-funded program that provides education, health, and social services to families with children aged 3, 4, and 5.
Find a Head Start near you. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/
Head Start programs help children develop academic and social skills that prepare them for school and life.
While enrolled in a high-quality Head Start preschool program, children receive nutrition, health, and support that help them grow mentally, physically, and socially.
There is a Head Start program in every county in Pennsylvania.
Local agencies receive funding from the federal government to operate as a Head Start grantee and they follow a comprehensive set of Performance Standards that assure high quality.
Many Head Start programs offer center-based services where children attend a preschool. In rural areas, Head Start may operate as a home-based program where trained home visitors bring the Head Start program to families in their homes.
Families are also offered support to help them obtain services for a variety of needs such as employment or housing.
Families who are 100% of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply and the preschool program is free.
At least 10% of a Head Start program's enrollment must serve children with disabilities.
Head Start information for families
https://nhsa.org/families-experiencing-poverty-journey-financial-stability/
Early Head Start serves pregnant women and families with children from birth to age 3.
It operates like preschool Head Start, following a set of federal Performance Standards that assure every child receives high-quality services that help them grow physically, academically, and socially and families obtain needed services to help them become self-sufficient.
The program may be offered as center-based or home-based services and is free.
Pennsylvania also provides Pennsylvania Early Head Start to a limited number of children and families.
OCDEL, through a team of EHS Specialists at the Pennsylvania Key, partners with two community programs to offer EHS home-based services.
Services in Lancaster and Lebanon counties are provided by Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit,
and in Lawrence County services are offered by the Children’s Advocacy Center in New Castle. Links to each partner can be found below.
Lawrence County
Lancaster and Lebanon Counties