Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start programs are federally grant funded by the Office of Head Start within ACF/DHHS to promote the school readiness of children under age 5. Georgia has 32 agencies that offer Head Start and Early Head Start services through a variety of models based on the needs of the local community. These models may include center-based care, home visiting, child care partnership locations, and family child care homes. All Head Start programs embody a national mission for eligible children and families to receive high-quality services in safe and healthy settings that prepare children for school and life. Comprehensive services are offered at no cost to eligible families and include the following:

• Individualized early learning opportunities and curriculum with social skills and emotional well-being, along with language and literacy learning.
• Health, nutrition, dental, and mental health services.
• Parent and family engagement with family goal planning and support.
• Inclusive early intervention services for children with disabilities.

Georgia Head Start and Early Head Start programs partner with DECAL through participation in Quality Rated, Child Care Licensing, Professional Learning, CAPS, CACFP Nutrition, and the Georgia PreK program. Oversight and monitoring of the implementation of services is conducted by the Region IV Office of Head Start. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/oro/regional-offices/region4

News Topics

• New Head Start Performance Standards - Summary
• New Head Start Performance Standards - Full Report
• Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Grantees in Georgia
• The Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA) has updated their Strategic Plan May 2015.