Youth In Need Head Start

Youth In Need’s Early Head Start and Head Start program serves families who meet Federal income guidelines in St. Louis City, St. Charles City and County, and Lincoln, Warren, and Montgomery Counties in Missouri. Head Start is a program for children, ages 3- to 5-years-old. Early Head Start is for children, birth to 3-years-old, as well as prenatal services for expectant parents.

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.

Eligibility, Enrollment and CostBecause Head Start and Early Head Start serves families who meet Federal income guidelines, staff must be able to verify income through W-2 forms, check stubs, letters from employers, award letters and other documents. For those families who meet income guidelines, standard program hours are offered at no cost. Extended day options are available for a fee. A child is age-eligible for Head Start if he or she has reached a third birthday by August 1 of the current year. Age must be documented by a copy of the child’s birth certificate, hospital records or medical cards with birth date included. Upon expressing interest in the program, a staff member will schedule a convenient time to complete an enrollment application. In order for an application to be complete, the family must provide age and income verification. (To determine eligibility, the income should be reflective of the last 12 months before application.) Staff will discuss the different pr