Head Start and Early Head Start

• For Early Head Start (EHS) Pregnant Women: Any age for expectant mothers

• For Early Head Start (EHS): Ages birth to under 3 years old

• For Head Start (HS): Child must turn 3 years old by September 1st or may be enrolled after their 3rd birthday and not yet age-eligible for Kindergarten 

• Head Start/Early Head Start is committed to enrolling students with disabilities by offering over-income waivers* and reserving 10 percent of its enrollment to children with disabilities.

* Over-income waivers limited to 10 percent of total program enrollment and the child must have a current Individualized Family Services Program (IFSP) for Early Head Start or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Head Start.

To qualify based on income, a family’s gross annual income must be at or below the mandated Poverty Guidelines. In addition, over-income waivers are available as noted above for children with an IFSP or IEP.

A family is eligible in any of the following categories, regardless of total gross income:

• Applicant is placed in 24-hour out-of-home Foster Care

• Public Assistance: Family is receiving ongoing Cash Aid benefits through the CalWORKs (TANF) program or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits

• Applicant or family member living with and supported by the child’s Parent(s) or Guardian(s) is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

• Applicant’s Birth Certificate or other Age Verification

• Applicant’s Immunization Records (must be up to date for age)

• Completed TB Assessment and/or TB Test Results

• Income Verification (prior 12 months)

• Proof of legal custody (if the child is in foster care or guardianship)

• Notice of Action or Passport to Services (if receiving CalWORKs Cash Aid)

• Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if applicable

• Homelessness verification (if applicable and available)

• Current IEP (Head Start) or IFSP (Early Head Start), if applicable

• Full-Time Employment or Full-Time School/Training Verification (to receive full-day prioritization)

• Part-Day: Children are in a center based class either in the morning or afternoon for 3.5 hours per day.

• Full-Day: Children are in a center based class for 6.5 hours per day. Priority points are awarded to parents working or attending school/training full time.

• Home-Based: A teacher visits the home once a week for 1.5 hours and works directly with the parent(s) to provide an engaging and strategically developed program in home  Two socializations are also offered each month for all enrolled children and their parents. The socializations may be held in a center-based classroom, a community center or a community field trip with emphasis on peer group interactions.

• English Application Submission

• Spanish Application Submission

• English Eligibility Document Submission (for uploading required eligibility documents after submitting and application)

• Spanish Eligibility Document Submission (for uploading required eligibility documents after submitting and application)

In addition, fillable/printable English Application PDF and Spanish Application PDF language applications can also be downloaded by clicking in the respective links.  Hard copy applications can be submitted to via email or in person to any center during normal operating days/hours.

In addition, prospective families are also welcome to submit on online Head Start Interest Form and have an RCOE Head Start representative contact them directly.

Below are the eight school district partner agencies offering Head Start or Head Start and Early Head Start (as noted).  In addition to the general phone number provided, utilizing the Head Start Center Locater will provide the center and designated contact information for each site.

• Coachella Valley USD (Head Start)

  (760) 848-1030

• Desert Sands USD (Head Start)

  (760) 771-8678

• Hemet USD (Head Start)

  (951) 765-1648

• Jurupa USD (Head Start)

  (951) 222-7850

• Moreno Valley USD (Head Start)

  (951)571-4716

• Palm Springs USD (Head Start/Early Head Start)

  (760) 416-8090

• Riverside USD (Head Start/Early Head Start)

  (951) 788-7135

• San Jacinto USD (Head Start/Early Head Start)

  (951) 654-1531

For additional information or to connect directly with a program representative at the main office, please call our toll free number (800) 600-1800.

Income Eligibility

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive services for pregnant mothers and families with infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Program eligibility is determined by submission of the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregivers(s) the previous 12-months gross income and those at or below the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are eligible.  

In addition, families receiving current and ongoing CalWORKs Cash Aid (TANF), Tribal TANF and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible regardless of total income.  Families experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act as well as children placed in 24-hour out-of-home foster care placement are also eligible regardless of income (foster parents are not required to submit any income documentation).

Applicants with disabilities as evidenced by an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) for children ages 0-3 or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for ages 3-5 may receive over-income waivers up the 10% of the program's total funded enrollment.  

Age Eligibility

Early Head Start: Pregnant women of any age and infants/toddlers ages 0-3.

Head Start:  Children ages 3 years-old by September 1st and not yet age eligible for Kindergarten. 

Age Verification Documents Required for Eligibility

• Applicant’s Birth Certificate or other Age Verification (not required for pregnant women applicants)

Income or Categorical Verification Documents Required for Eligibility

• Income Verification (prior 12 months from application submission date)
• Notice of Action or Passport to Services (if receiving CalWORKs Cash Aid)
• Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if applicable
• Homelessness verification (if applicable and available)
• Proof of legal custody (if the child is in foster care or guardianship)

Other Eligibility Documents (if applicable)

• Current IFSP (Early Head Start) or Current IEP (Head Start) if over-income (waivers limited to 10% of total funded enrollment)
• Full-Time Employment or Full-Time School/Training Verification (to receive full-day prioritization)

Documents Required for Enrollment After an Enrollment Slot is offered

• Applicant’s Immunization Records (must be up to date for age)
• Applicant’s Completed Physical Exam (must be up to date for age)
• Completed TB Assessment and/or TB Test Results
  

Visit our main page for links to our online application submission form (English and Spanish) as well as to access downloadable PDF applications that can be submitted in person or mailed to any RCOE operated site.

For school district operated delegate agencies, the main page will list a contact number for each district and the Head Start Locater will also list the contact information for each center located utilizing the search feature.

To speak with a representative at the RCOE Head Start Main Office, please call (800) 600-1800.

RCOE or its delegate agencies do not charge fees for Head Start or Early Head Start program services.

You may contact us during business hours using our toll free number (800) 600-1800. You can also contact any of the 11 contracted delegate school districts or RCOE directly operated site in your area by using the Head Start Locator.

*also has an Early Head Start program