Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child who is too young for public school and your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $9,310 if you have one person in the household; $12,490 if you have two people living in the household; $15,670 if you have three people living in the household; $18,850 if you have four people living in the household; $22,030 if you have five people living in the household; $25,210 if you have six people living in the household; $28,390 if you have seven people living in the household; $31,570 if you have eight people living in the household; $34,750 if you have nine people living in the household; $37,930 if you have 10 people living in the household; $41,110 if you have 11 people living in the household; $44,290 if you have 12 people living in the household; $47,470 if you have 13 people living in the household; $50,650 if you have 14 people living in the household; $53,830 if you have 15 people living in the household; $57,010 if you have 16 people living in the household; and $60,190 if you have 17 people living in the household. If you do not meet these criteria, you may still qualify if you are a US national, citizen or permanent resident whose financial status is low income or very low income, who is under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed, facing pregnancy, less than 19 years of age yourself, or the parent or primary caregiver for children under the age of 19 years. Other qualifications may apply.

Description
The Head Start program (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start program (for pregnant women, infants and toddlers) promote school readiness for children in low-income families by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services. Parents play a large role in the programs, both as primary educators of their children and as participants in administering the programs locally. Both programs provide pre-literacy and literacy experiences in a multi-cultural environment. Parents are also provided social services, including assistance with child care. Services are also available to migrant and seasonal farmworker families. Tambien hay servicios para las familias que trabajan en agricultura (trabajadores emigrantes y de temporada).

Managing organization
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/

Program contact information & web resources
For more general information on the Head Start programs, access this link:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb

Head Start programs are administered locally by non-profit organizations, city, county, and Indian Tribal governments, and school districts in almost 19,000 centers. Although services are not available in every community, interested citizens should locate the nearest Head Start center and inquire about services. To find a local Head Start program office near you, including Early Head Start and Migrant Head Start, visit:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/hsweb/index.jsp