Eligibility for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs are based on the following criteria:

• Head Start:
  • Age Guidelines:
    • Children who are, or will be, three years old on or before December 1st are eligible for home-based services in Head Start.
    • The Enterprise center is a classroom for children who are, or will be, three years old on or before December 1st.
    • Children who are, or will be, four years old on or before December 1st are eligible for the regular Head Start center-based program.
  • Income Guidelines:
    • Head Start uses income guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services to determine eligibility.
  • Children with Special Needs:
    • Head Start reserves at least 10% of its available slots for children with special needs. Shasta Head Start centers are able to accommodate children with special needs ranging from mild (i.e., speech/language delays) to severe (i.e., spina bifida, mental retardation, Downs Syndrome). These children may be from families whose income exceeds the income guidelines.
      
• Early Head Start:
  • Age Guidelines:
    • Children three-years-old and younger, are eligible for the Early Head Start program.
    • Pregnant women are eligible for Early Head Start.
  • Income Guidelines:
    • Head Start uses income guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services to determine eligibility.
  • Children with Special Needs:
    • Head Start reserves a minimum of 10% of its available slots for children with special needs, which may range from mild to severe. These children may be from families whose income exceeds the income guidelines.