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Head Start and Early Head Start

Find a Head Start program near you.

picture of a happy boy under a tree

Program description

Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children under five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in many areas such as language, literacy and social and emotional development. Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher. These programs help build relationships with families that support family well-being and many other important areas.

Early Head Start programs serve infants, toddlers and pregnant women and their families who have incomes below the federal poverty level. Early Head Start programs were established in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to a child’s growth and development.

Indiana Head Start State Collaboration Office

Collaboration on behalf of children and families is one of Head Start’s highest priorities. Since 1990, the Administration for Children and Families has awarded Head Start State Collaboration grants to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships at the state level.

Indiana’s Head Start State Collaboration Office encourages widespread collaboration between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services and initiatives and strives to augment Head Start's capacity to be a partner in state initiatives on behalf of children and their families. The Collaboration Office facilitates the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and assists in building early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services and supports for all low-income children.

Resources

Early Learning Crosswalks

Find a Head Start program near you

To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call us toll-free at 866-763-6481 or use the Head Start locator at the following link:

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/clientlocator.html?&NoMenu

For more information, contact:

Tonia Carriger, Director
Indiana Head Start State Collaboration Office
402 W. Washington St., Room W362, MS02
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Telephone: 317-232-1951
Email: tonia.carriger@fssa.in.gov


Rhett Cecil, Executive Director

Indiana Head Start Association
1845 W. 18th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Telephone: 317-916-0810
Email: rcecil@indianaheadstart.org