Head Start Eligibility

Head Start is a program for low-income families to help children be ready for school.

There are a number of ways your family can meet Head Start eligibility requirements

Below are some general guidelines for your reference. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, contact Dawn Adams at 541-323-6543 or dawna@neighborimpact.org.

To apply for NeighborImpact’s Head Start program:

  • you must live in Crook or Deschutes county
  • your child must be age 3 or 4 by September 1st of the current school year
  • your family must meet specific income or other eligibility requirements

Income eligibility is based on 12 months of income (either the 12 months prior to application or the last calendar year). Your child may be eligible for Head Start if your family’s gross annual income does not exceed 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for family size.  Income we must consider is gross cash income, and includes earned income, military income (including pay and allowances), veterans’ benefits, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation and public assistance benefits. It also includes child support, and cash income received in the form of grants, scholarships and assistanceships.

If you do not meet income requirements for Head Start, your child may still be eligible if he or she:

  • is living in foster care
  • is living in a family that receives an ongoing cash assistance Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) grant.
  • is living in a family that receives the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • is living in a household with a family member who is supported by the income of parents or guardians who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • lacks a regular fixed adequate nighttime residence, and meets the definition of homeless children or unaccompanied youth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Head Start reserves 10% of available slots for children with disabilities who qualify for Early Childhood Special Education.

There are circumstances that permit the Head Start Program staff to enroll children who demonstrate the need for Head Start, but do not meet eligibility requirements and are from families whose income exceeds the poverty guidelines.

Fill out and submit an online Head Start/OPK/Early Head Start  pre-application

Download a printable Head Start or
Early Head Start pre-application: English / Español

Click for more info on NeighborImpact’s Head Start Program

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:  

(1)    mail:  U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2)    fax:  (202) 690-7442; or
(3)    email:  program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider

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