Determine Eligibility

• 1). Verify eligibility. Parents should confirm that their child meets the eligibility requirements. Pregnant women and children from birth to 5 years old are eligible. A child and family in the following categories are also eligible:
  
  •Homeless
  
  •In Foster Care
  
  • Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  
  •Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  
  
• 2). Locate a Head Start Center. According to the Department of Health and Human Services' website parents can "call the Head Start Knowledge and Information Management Services toll free at 1-866-763-6481 to find a Head Start or Early Head Start program" in their area. It is important to determine where a Head Start facility is located to ensure its accessibility and whether there is an available vacancy so that the child may be enrolled.
  
  
• 3). Request immunization and medical records. Children enrolled in group-care situations must be immunized. Head Start will require proof that the child has received the required immunizations before considering his enrollment. Parents should request a copy of their child's immunization records from the doctor's office or the local public-health center. If the child is missing any shots, they should be administered and recorded on the shot record prior to enrolling the child in Head Start. If the child has been diagnosed with a special need such as ADD, the child's doctor should provide all medical information that is relevant to the child's care within a Head Start setting. Parents should also provide Head Start with information about any prescriptions the child requires while enrolled.
  
  
• 4). Present required documents. Parents will need to take all documents that will be pertinent to the application process with them when they apply for their child's enrollment. All of the required forms must be completed, including an income-verification form in order to enroll a child in Head Start. Parents should have the following information available when completing the Head Start application:
  
  •Proof of Income (check stub, W-2, SSI, etc.)
  
  •Immunization Records
  
  •Child's Birth Certificate (a passport is also acceptable)
  
  •Proof of Residence