Who Can Apply for Early Head Start?
Mothers may apply during their first trimester, children must be six weeks-of-age and not yet three years-of-age, by September 1st of the calendar year in order to be enrolled.
Who Can Apply for Head Start?
Children must be three years-of-age, and not yet five years-of-age, by September 1st of the calendar year in order to be enrolled. Families are encouraged to apply to Early Head Start prior to child’s 3rd birthday. Children do NOT need to be potty-trained in order to attend Head Start!
Families must reside in our service area, which is all of Etowah County. Verification of residency is required.
Families must provide verification of income in order to qualify for the program. Regardless of income, some children are automatically eligible:
- Foster children or children in kinship care
- Families experiencing homelessness (including living with family member due to economic hardship)
- Families receiving TANF
- Families receiving SSI
- Families receiving SNAP are automatically eligible
- Children who have current IEP or IFSP
Although the majority of our families are below the federal poverty guideline, we have over-income spaces set aside to serve children with special needs and other circumstances. Income is not our only criterion. We encourage all families to apply!
For more information, please call Gadsden/Etowah County Head Start at 256-546-7431.