Follow these three easy steps:
Step 1: Are you eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start services?
Eligibility for enrollment is based on your child’s age and your income. Additional selection factors are:
- Disabilities or special needs
- Parental status
- Family risk factors
To ensure eligibility, we must verify your child’s age and your income. Please bring the following items to the center when you enroll your child:
- Birth certificate, passport, visa, medical card, or MO HeathNet card.
- Income is determined by what you earn and what you receive from Public Assistance as documented on your tax return, W-2, SSI award letter, TANF award letter, check stubs, child support payment, foster care subsidy. If you are unemployed, please bring an unemployment letter.
- For more information about eligibility requirements, click here.
Step 2: Meet the health requirements
It is your responsibility to provide current medical information about your child. If you have questions or need help finding medical care, please contact the nearest Head Start Center.All children enrolled in the Head Start program are required to have a health screen that includes the following:
- Current physical exam
- Health history
- Hearing test
- Lead screen
- Sickle cell test
- Blood pressure
- Hemoglobin screen
- Growth assessment
- Vision
- Nutrition assessment
- Current dental exam
Early Head Start children must provide documentation of their most recent well-baby exam.
Immunizations must also be complete or up-to-date. Required vaccines are:
You can find more health information for you and your child on these websites:
Missouri Department of Social Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
City of St Louis: Women, Children and Adolescent Health
Saint Louis County Department Of Health
Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services
MO HealthNet for Kids
Step 3: Contact your closest Head Start Center
Find the Head Start Center closest to you.We always work to find a space at the center closest to you. However, there are times when that particular center is full. If this happens, your Family Outreach Worker or Family Advocate will work with you to determine the best solution for you and your family until a space becomes available.