Reference: Head Start Child Outcomes Framework (.pdf)

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Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child and family development program designed to meet the needs of low-income families with pre-school children. Since its inception in 1965, more than 18 million children and families nationally have benefited from Head Start's comprehensive services. The primary target population for Head Start is children between the ages of 3 - 5 from families living below the federal poverty line.

Families are ranked by criteria, which include income eligibility, and need of the family, preference given to those with the greatest need. Children automatically qualify when they have special needs, or when they are foster and child protective services referrals. The guidelines are based on the "size of family," and "amount of income." For example, a family of four must have an income that does not exceed $17,650.

Early Head Start and Head Start are meant to overlap, so children can be placed developmentally according to their individual needs. Early Head Start is set up for children ages 0-3. To enter Head Start, children must be 2.9 years to 5 years, with children closest to the age of kindergarten entrance given the highest priority.

• Head Start Services:
  Assist families to become effective advocates for themselves and their children.
• Assist families to become independent and competent to secure what they need for social and economic success.
• Provide for the development of each child's cognitive and language skills by supporting emerging literacy and numeracy development through appropriate materials and activities according to the developmental level of each child.