Head Start now includes SNAP income requirement documents
The federal government has created an easier way for families to qualify for the Head Start program by including those receiving assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for income requirements.
“The federal government is doing this to make it easier for families who are already receiving public assistance, to minimize the burden to provide pay stubs and income because they have already gone through the process,” Early Childhood Learning Services Director Mary Grace Romo said.
She said the change supports President Joe Biden’s executive order on transforming federal customer experience and service delivery to rebuild trust in government.
Romo said the national program requires a certain income eligibility to qualify for the Head Start program, but does not guarantee space, as there are a limited number of seats.
“They have expanded that definition of public assistance to include any SNAP recipient. This will make it easier for families to qualify,” she said. “Prior, the income eligibility required a family to be 100 percent below poverty level, or be receiving public assistance. That definition only included SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Now the federal government has expanded that income eligibility to include SNAP.”
In other words, if families are already receiving SNAP benefits they are categorically eligible.
“It is important for the public to understand beyond qualifying categorically for income based on SNAP benefits there is still a selection criteria that is part of the Head Start program,” Romo said. “Families get in based on the highest number of eligibility points they receive.”
She said for example, a single mother will receive extra points, as well as those who are homeless, a foster child, or a child who has an IEP (individualized education plan).
The school district has 720 Pre-K seats available, 88 Early Head Start seats and 72 Early Head Start – Childcare Partnership grants, which is a partnership with private providers who supplement the service in private childcare settings.
“All three of those programs, the eligibility criteria includes income eligibility and qualifying based on receiving SNAP benefits makes it easier,” Romo said.
The Head Start program is a comprehensive service program, which includes a team of social workers, mental health professionals, nurses, curriculum specialist, disability specialist and a family advocate, all to support the child and the family.
“The idea of Head Start is to break the cycle of poverty, empower families and get kids ready for kindergarten,” Romo said.
Enrollment is still taking place for Head Start. Families can complete the pre-application at https://eclc.leeschools.net/our_school/application_information. The Early Childhood Center accepts summer applications Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Documents needed to complete the application include:
• Proof of age for the child (original birth certificate)
• Proof of income, four weeks of pay stubs for all family members including child support, or a 1040 tax return (2021), (SNAP, TANF, SSI)
• Additional Documentation if applicable:
• Documentation of disability: Early Head Start requires a copy of the IFSP or IEP
• Custody papers if not the natural parent
• Proof of pregnancy is required when applying for Early Head Start
When the application is complete, parents are required to obtain the VPK voucher for 4 year olds, which is only available through the Early Learning Coalition, 2675 Winkler Avenue, Suite 300, in Fort Myers.
“We take applications all year long and we create a waiting list. Right now the seats are not full. We are seeking eligible families and hoping to fill our seats,” Romo said.
Any additional questions can be sent to earlychildhood@leeschools.net.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com