 |
The primary goal of Head Start/Early Head Start is to promote the development of social competence in the young children they serve. To effectively meet this goal, the Head Start/Early Head Start programs have long recognized the importance of supporting parents' efforts to attain family self-sufficiency and to be their child's first and most important teacher. The GCCSA Head Start/Early Head Start programs provide the families of our students a sense of belonging, opportunities for workshops in a variety of subjects, referral services, opportunities to participate as a volunteer and to have a voice in the program. This page will provide more in depth information to the parents of the Head Start and Early Head Start children.
Eligibility Requirements
Head Start: Children must be three or four years of age on or before September 1st in order to be age eligible for the GCCSA Head Start Program. Children are eligible to participate in Head Start if they are from low-income families or if their families are eligible for public assistance. The Head Start Act establishes income eligibility for participation in Head Start programs based on the Health and Human Services Poverty Income Guidelines which is updated annually.
Early Head Start: GCCSA services children newborn up to 30 months of age in its Early Head Start Program. In order to participate in Early Head Start, the families must meet Health and Human Services Poverty Income Guidelines and live within zip code 77020 or 77026. Expectant mothers must also be income eligible, live within the 77020 or 77026 zip code and provide medical documentation verifying their pregnancy.
Ten percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities in the GCCSA Head Start and Early Head Start Programs must be made available to children with special needs and challenging conditions.
How to Apply
- Contact the Family Services Office at (713) 393-4700.
- Visit the GCCSA Head Start Central Office at 5000 Gulf Freeway, Building #1, Houston, Texas 77023.
- Visit any GCCSA Head Start center; ask for the Family Services Associate; and fill out an application for enrollment.
- Contact the Early Head Start Office at (713) 222-7212.
To see a list of the documentation you will be asked to provide, click here.
For a copy of the Enrollment Form, click here.
To see the 2004 HHS Poverty Guidelines, click here.
Parent Handbook
Click here to download the Parent Handbook (PDF)
Head Start & Early Head Start Policy Council
Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) Head Start and Early Head Start provides parents the opportunity to participate in the planning and the implementation of the Programs by serving on the Policy Council.
The programs enhance direct involvement in the decision-making process of the program planning and operations by involving the Center Committees, Advisory Committees and Policy Council. Both Committees are formed in the beginning of the school year, or when the center has had it's first parent meeting. On the Gulf Coast Community Services Association's Board of Directors, one (1) seat is available for a member of the Head Start Policy Council and an alternate.
|
|
