FAQ’s

Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from income eligible families in the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca & Watonwan.

Head Start leads the early childhood field with a strong, clear, and comprehensive focus on healthy child development. This includes physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all of which are essential to getting your child ready for school.

Head Start encourages the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teachers. Programs build relationships with families that support positive parent-child relationships, family well-being, and connections to peers and community.

Visit the Apply for Head Start page to learn more about the application process.

Head Start Eligibility

To be eligible for services:

• The family must live in our 9-county service area.
• Child must be 3 or 4 years old on September 1st of that school year
• The family’s income is evaluated using the annual Federal Poverty Guidelines

2019 Income Guidelines

If a child is homeless, a foster child, living with a family receiving MFIP (cash grant) or receiving Supplemental Security Income, they are eligible for Head Start Program services.

Additionally, at least 10% of all Head Start enrollment opportunities must be available to children with disabilities who are eligible for Part C services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Birth-age 3 Home Visiting Eligibility

Birth to age 3 home visiting program has additional eligibility guidelines:

• Income-eligible pregnant women
• Income-eligible families with infants and/or toddlers under the age of three
• Families living in the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, or Watonwan

See locations and contact information.

Kindergarten Readiness Skills!  Visit Child Development and Education for information about what your child will be learning.

Yes.  At least 10% of all Head Start enrollment opportunities must be available to children with disabilities who are eligible for Part C services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

For more information on eligibility, see question “Is my family eligible?” above.

Want to volunteer? Get involved with Community Action by providing your time and your experience to help communities in need. Our volunteers work in areas such as Head Start, serving children ages birth to 5 and pregnant women. We are passionate about what we do and hope to match volunteers with work that is meaningful to them. We invite you, your group, or your family to join our team and serve the participants of Community Action.

For more information, contact Chrystal Wilkie at 507-345-2412 or by email.