Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Family Service & Parent Involvement. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!
Age and Income Eligibility
POLICY:
Program eligibility is based on age of children, family income & special needs. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.12
PROCEDURE:
1. To be eligible for Head Start services, a child must be at least three years old by the date used to determine eligibility for public school, which is August 31st.
2. Birth certificates will be used to verify that a child will be three by August 31st for enrollment purposes. If a parent cannot produce a birth certificate, other documentation will be temporarily accepted. Other forms of age documentation that will be temporarily acceptable are:
- Immunization Card
- Medical Card
- Hospital Certificate
- Community Based Services list (TANF List)
- Documentation from appropriate agencies who have previously verified a child’s age 3.
3. An income eligible child is any child whose family has an annual income before taxes that is equal to, or less than, the poverty guideline or any child whose family is eligible for public assistance.
4. Head Start enrollment must adhere to the following income guidelines: 55% of enrolled children must be from families whose income does not exceed 100% of the low-income guidelines. 35% can be children from families whose income falls within the 101%-130% range of the low-income guidelines. Up to 10% of the children who are enrolled in the program may be children from families whose income exceeds the 130% range of the low-income guidelines but who meet criteria the program has established for selecting such children and who could benefit from Head Start.
5. The family income is verified by the program before determining a child is eligible to participate in the program. Verification includes examination of any of the following:
Individual Income Tax Form 1040
- W-2 forms
- Pay stubs
- Pay envelopes
- Written statements from employers
- Documentation showing current status as recipients of public assistance/SSI
- Low Income Interview
- Homeless Interview
