Head Start and Early Head Start in Dallas TX: Where to apply and how it helps
Each year thousands of local children access the Head Start program in the greater Dallas area. Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) are free, federally funded early-learning programs for kids under the age of 6 from families or single parents with low incomes. The federally funded programs help children access early learning, get food and basic medical and provides other support. Learn more about Head Start and EHS in Dallas County below.
The two child development type are often combined. Together they offer full-day care and school-readiness classes. The focus is on kids under the age of 6 - infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, plus wraparound services for parents.
Details on the Dallas Head Start and Early Head Start programs
In Dallas County, they’re run locally by two long-standing nonprofits. They area Head Start of Greater Dallas (HSGD) and also ChildCareGroup (CCG). However the program is also often run in partnership with Dallas ISD school districts.
Who is eligible for EHS and Head Start early learning. Early Head Start serves pregnant people and children ages 0 - 3 - even newborns! While on the other hand Head Start serves ages 3 - 5. While there is limited capacity, families generally qualify if household income is at or below the federal poverty line.
- However other Dallas residents can also often apply if they’re experiencing homelessness, have a child in foster care or with a disability, or receive public assistance programs such as Medicaid, cash assistance from TANF or food stamps.
Head Start and Early Head Start provide a wide variety of assistance to Dallas TX households. HSGD and CCG sites provide free healthy meals and snacks, health and developmental screenings, as well as basic dental care for kids among other assistance. There are also referrals to other free Texas dental clinics. In addition, they can help parents with day care as most sites in the county operate full-day schedules during the school year.
- Children from lower income households are able to access a stimulating environment and developing a number of skills in them, including pre-reading skills as well as improving their self-esteem. Children who are part of the program will have full access to personal computers (PCs) and be provided the training so that they can become adept at utilizing them as learning tools, with parents also able to learn about programs that give free laptop PCs.
Parents can get help too, as both children and their families can benefit from Head Start. The program is also able to help address many of the needs of the low income child’s family as well as the student. The program encourages parents to become involved in their child’s education and the Head Start program will help families achieve self-reliance over the long term and ensure they gain their independence.
- Social services staff who are part of HSGD administer Head Start will enroll parents in literacy, GED, and also English-as-a-second-language class if needed Counselors will be able to refer children to a large number of charities as well as social services providers in the Dallas Texas area, place the child’s parent in job training programs or community colleges and provide such additional services as substance abuse prevention education. Read more on the national Head Start program.
How to apply
You can apply for Head Start at any time; programs enroll year-round. With any benefit program though, there is high demand in Dallas County and also limited capacity. Therefore the non-profits maintain waitlists when full. For Head Start, run by HSGD, families apply through the HSGD Parent Portal, visit the non-profit here https://www.hsgd.org/, or call the enrollment hotline at 1-866-474-3338.
Early Head Start in Dallas TX is also an option with the ChildCareGroup running it, with information here. https://www.childcaregroup.org. Or Call 214-630-7911 and ask for Early Head Start enrollment. For either program, expect to provide proof of household income (tax return or benefit letters), and additional documents as requested.
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