How To Enroll Your Child In A Houston Head Start Program
As a parent, you love your child and absolutely cherish spending time with them.
At the same time, you secretly love breaks from your child where you aren’t forced to watch Paw Patrol episodes over and over AND OVER!
If that describes you in anyway, we’ve got a resource that you need to hear about. It’s called the Head Start Program.
In addition to giving you a much needed break to rest and run errands, the head start program also provides your child with the foundation needed to excel academically and fit in socially once they reach kindergarten.
If all this sounds fine and dandy, continue reading and I’ll tell you about the basics of head start.
Part 1: The Basics Of Houston Head Start Programs
Before we tell you how to enroll in a Houston Head Start, we are going to break down the basics of this program.
In this section you will learn the following:
- What a head start program is
- The 3 different types of head start programs
- Head Start services offered to children
- Services offered to adults
- The documents needed to register
What Is Head Start?
Head Start is essentially a free pre-school program for children.
The program helps kids to prepare for school by introducing them to new environments with classroom instructions, social interactions, and playtime with their peers.
As aforementioned, the program is free, but to qualify families must live in specific zip codes and meet income guidelines.
Head Start Income Guidelines
The chart below provides you with a general idea of the income level you would need to be at to qualify for a head start. Do not take these levels as “the gospel” though, because again this is simply an example.
To ensure that you qualify for head start, you will need to contact local a “registration agency”. These agencies will screen you to ensure you qualify for services. Later in this guide, I will provide more information about a registration agency as well as the best place to find one.
Are Head Start Programs Free?
Yes, head start is a free program as long as you meet income guidelines like the ones above. One quick way to determine if you qualify for Head Start is whether or not you have a benefit like Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. If you have any of these benefits it’s a good chance that you qualify for head start.
What does Zip Codes Do Houston Head Start serve?
Head Start was created to serve low-income families, therefore many of the programs will be located in these areas.
The first qualification of Head Start is to meet income guidelines. The second is to live in specific zip codes. Each head start services one maybe two zip codes. Later in this guide, we will show you how to find the Houston Head Start Programs that provide service in your area.
The 3 Types Of Head Start Programs
There are 3 types of Houston Head Start Programs; Head Start, Early Head Start, and a combination of the two.
The major difference between these programs is the ages of the children.
Head Start
This program accepts children from the age of 3 to 5 years old.
Note: In most Head Start Programs, children must turn 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1st to be accepted.
Early Head Start
These programs serve kids from birth to 3 years old.
Head Start + Early Head Start
These programs are a combination of the two mentioned above. At these sites they accept children from birth to the age of 6.
What Services Do Houston Head Start Programs Offer?
Head Start Programs in Houston offer children the following services:
- Qualified, nurturing teachers
- State-Adopted Pre – K Curriculum
- FREE nutritious meals and snacks
- Outdoor learning experiences
- Childcare for children with disabilities
What Services Do Houston Head Start Programs Offer To Families?
Head Start Programs take a holistic approach to caring for children, by also providing parents with services. Most Houston Head Start Programs offer the following service to caregivers:
- Educational Workshops for parents
- Volunteer opportunities
- Fatherhood Programs
- Referrals to community resources
- Transportation resources
What Documents Are Needed To Register For Houston Head Start Programs?
In order to register for a Houston Head Start Program you must supply the following documents:
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Current Immunizations Records
- Parent ID
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Income from the previous 12 months
Part 2: Houston Head Start Registration Agencies
In this section, I will explain the purpose of “head start registration agencies”.
Think of the head start registration agency (or non-profit organization) as the “gatekeeper” to head start services. These registration agencies must screen you to determine that you qualify for head start.
The head start program awards registration agencies or non-profits with grants that pay for the cost of your child’s head start program.
In summary, you must apply for head start through a registration agency for services. If you visit your local head start, they will likely refer you to the registration agency that they work with for enrollment.
Next, I will tell you about the most common head start registration agencies in Houston.
The 4 Most Common Head Start Registration Agencies
If you live in Houston there is a good chance that you will have to contact one of the registration agencies below to enroll your child into the head start program.
- Advance – 4281 Dacoma St, Houston, TX 77092 – 713.812.0033
- Baker Ripley – 4500 Bissonnet Street #200 Bellaire, TX 77401 – 713.273.3211
- Gulf Coast Community Services – 9320 Kirby Drive Houston, TX 77054 – 713.393.4700
- Harris County Department of Education – 6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022 – 713.672.9343
Should you stay outside of Houston city limits you may have to contact your school district to register for head start. Aldine, Montgomery County, and Brazoria County schools all require you to contact the school district to register for a head start program.
In the following section, we’ll show you a couple of ways to find both head start programs near you and the correct registration agencies to apply to.
Part 3: How To Find A Houston Head Start Near You
Head Start Programs are zoned to certain zip codes. You must live in the vicinity of the head start program you are applying for.
There are two ways to find a Houston head start program in your area:
- Use the Head Start Locator map
- Use the Head Start locator search
Houston Head Start Locator Map
The first way to find a head start program that services your zip code is to use the map below.
Map Key
- Head Start Programs are colored in blue.
- Early Head Start Programs are colored in red.
- Head Start Programs and also have an Early Head Start Program are colored in green.
- The Head Start Registration sites are colored in black.
Find Your Neighborhood
Once you local your neighborhood, search to see if there are any head start programs near you. Click on the listing nearest you see information regarding the ages accepted and which registration agency you need to call to enroll.
The image below is what it looks like after you click a map plot.
Houston Head Start Search
The second option is using the head start search box.
Type your city or zip code into the search bar and click search. From here you will be taken over to the Head Start Center Locator.
Next, you will be taken to another page where you will be given a list of search results. Find the head start programs that match your own zip code and call its registration agency. If you cannot find your exact zip code call the first couple of results anyway. They may still be able to provide you with help.
Conclusion
Houston Head Start Programs are great because they provide your child with the tools they need to prepare for life. They also give you peace in your home if only for a few hours. It’s a win-win!
One thing I didn’t mention, is some head start programs have waitlists. If you run into a waitlist, sign up anyway that time will pass.
Also, be sure to follow up on a weekly basis to see where you are on the waitlist. My neighbor, Mr. Carl, once called our city public works department twice a day for one month to get the ditches dug in our neighborhood. He boasted about his accomplishment and told me “Nick, the squeaky wheel gets the oil”.
Take that lesson to heart in everything that you do. But I digress.
Does your child attend a head start program? If so have you seen any improvements academically or socially? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
Please get in contact with me, looking to go to HCC and receive child care at one of the locations
Hi Genevieve, simply use the head start locator, type in your zip code and they will let you know where the closest head start programs are to you. Many of these head start programs will have waiting lists so contact multiple head starts to see who has the shortest waiting list. You can also use this guide to find 16 affordable childcare options in Houston. Good luck at HCC!