MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Head Start

Monroe County PreK/Head Start/Early Head Start is dedicated to enhancing children's growth and development by providing them with educational, health, and nutritional services; strengthening families as primary nurturers, involving them in decision making while linking them with needed community services.

Head Start generally serves children ages 3 to 5 who meet local eligibility requirements. Pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years of age are eligible for Early Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well.

Families are encouraged to apply.

Recruitment Application packets for Head Start and Pre K will be accepted at each year's Kiddie Fair. At that time, completed application packet (those with all portions of applications completed and with birth certificate and immunization records attached) will be placed into the 2011-2012 program based on their selection criteria. Parents with incomplete applications will be contacted to obtain the necessary documents to complete the application. As these are received, the applications will be placed on the waiting list based on their selection criteria. In the case of a tie for the selection criteria score, preference will be given to the applicant with the earlier date of submission on the application. There will be scheduled dates each year which the completed applications are moved from waiting list status to enrolled status as there are available slots in the program. Three year-olds will be enrolled in the fall of each year, since legally priority must be given to tho