Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for children and their families who are age and income eligible, including children with disabilities or special needs. Head Start offers child-focused programs and has the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children ages three to five in low-income families. This program serves approximately 390 children in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, and Union counties.
Early Head Start program serves children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development. Early Head Start currently serves 32 infant and toddlers as well as providing a center based program for pregnant women in Baker County.
ECS has recently been awarded a grant from the Early Head Start program to provide center and home base services to an additional 212 infants, toddlers and pregnant women in Duval, Clay and Baker counties.
Head Start and Early Head Start provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development: medical, dental, mental health, nutrition, and parent involvement. The Head Start staff recognizes that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Staff members welcome parent's involvement in Head Start activities and will work as partners with you to help your child. Children receive developmental screenings, and vision and hearing examinations with necessary referrals and follow up. Head Start offers a nutrition assessment and provides daily nutritious snacks and meals. Dental exams are provided as needed. Your child will leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten and ready for school success.
Matching Requirements:
Programs receiving federal financial assistance under the Head Start Act will not exceed 80% of the total cost of the program. This means that programs are required to raise 20% of the total cost of the program- also known as Non Federal Share. This “Cost Sharing or Matching” is the value of third party in-kind contributions or cash match.
What is acceptable as Non-Federal Match?
· The reasonable value of time donated by community members, board, policy council and parents in conducting the performance standards self-assessment and/or attending business meetings.
· Volunteer time, valued at an appropriate hourly rate for the type of services provided.
· Parent Involvement - working in the classroom, and participating in policy council or center committee business meetings.
· Travel- mileage for parents, community partners or interns when traveling to & from sites with a purpose directly benefiting the classroom or program.
· Fair market rental value for space, if the property is not owned by the grantee.
· Cash contributions
· Donated space and/or equipment
· Donated goods and/or services
In order to help us raise the required 20% match, we have established monthly supply and volunteer drives. Please click here to view the drives. If you would like to donate your time, cash, goods or services, please contact our office at 904-726-1500. You may also contact a Head Start/Early Head Start program directly to donate your time or supplies. Please click here for contact information.
To apply, please call 904-726-1500 or see below for English and Spanish applications.
Click here for Head Start locations.
For more information about Head Start, click here.
For more information about Early Head Start, click here.
Early Head Start Printable Forms:
| Flyer | Flyer - Spanish | Application - English | Application- Spanish |
