Head Start was last reauthorized in 2007 and the eligibility requirements are in desperate need of modernization.
NHSA brought together a group of 45 Head Start practitioners from 32 states to discuss how Head Start and Early Head Start eligibility requirements should evolve to better include children and families who stand to benefit most from the high-quality comprehensive services offered by the program.
The Workgroup’s recommendations include moving to Area Median Income to determine income eligibility, which would take into account geographic disparities in the cost-of-living, and adding categorical eligibility for those qualified to participate in SNAP and WIC or in kinship care. Download our full recommendations to learn more.
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