New York Head Start Program

What You Need To Know?

The New York Head Start is a federally funded state program which prepares the children from low income households for school, by promoting school readiness in them and developing them mentally, socially and cognitively. The program has been specifically designed for preparing children from birth to age five, providing them a suitable environment to enhance their learning activities and growth in various areas including language, literacy and mental and emotional health .The program also offers nutritional support to the children in order to develop their cognitive skills. The Head Start Program engages parent in taking up the crucial roles for the progress of their children in every aspect of life.

The Head Start Program is designed to foster stable family relationships and such comprehensive approach solves majority of the childhood crisis that a children may face. The partnership between the State Department and local head start program works readily for upbringing a child, catering all the major and minor needs and requirements from the very beginning.

Many Head Start Programs also offer various Early Head Start program, specifically designed for the infants, toddlers and pregnant women belonging to low income families. The ultimate goal of New York Head Start Program is to raise the social competence of the children from the beginning of low-income families and with disabilities, in order to make them reach their true potential and maximize their skills.

Administration

The New York Head Start program is a part of United States Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by Administration of Children and Families.

Services

The educational services provided at the Head Start program includes evidence and research based curriculum for children along with individualized teachers for specific lessons. Children with special needs are also catered and given special attention.

The health services offered at the New York Head Start program includes mental, sight, hearing and dental screenings conducted by the local providers. In order to enhance the quality of health in long term, health counseling is also provided to parents as well as nutritional requirements are also fulfilled of children.

The program also provides family services in order to develop mutual family engagement. The New York Head Start Program also offers parenting counseling and education programs for parents to upraise perfect off springs.

Are You Eligible?

Children up till the age of 5 and belonging to low income families are applicable for the New York Head Start or Early Head Start Program according to the criteria of income per annum guidelines set up by the Federal Department of United States.

The program is designed and aims to reach the children who are at most risk. Children in foster homes, orphan or homeless children and children from families already enrolled in the Temporary Assistance (TA) program are also eligible for New York Head Start or  Early Head Start Program, irrespective of their income per annum.

The 10 percent of children in the program maybe enrolled above the criteria of poverty guidelines. Further 35% of children may also be enrolled even if they are above poverty guideline but meet all other requirements are met including being 130% below the poverty line. Pregnant women are also applicable for the program.

In case if you are willing to apply for the program, you must contact the local managing agency in order to receive the latest information regarding program requirements, for enrolling your child. As the funding provided by the federal government is not sufficient enough to enroll each and every deserving child in the program, you may request the program manager to enlist you in the waiting list.

How To Apply?

In order to apply for the Head Start or Early Head Start program, you may find the program running specifically in your community using tools such Head start locator and contact them. The Head Start Program managing agency running in your community would solve all your important queries and provide you with the application forms. They would also let you know the significant documents to be brought along with you in the application procedure.

For Further Information?

In case of further queries or details, you may contact the head Start Program customer service department at-1-866-763-6481(toll free) or search for program in a head start locator.

Also Read: Missouri Head Start