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Head Start

FREE EARLYCHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES RECEIVING SNAP BENEFITS

The TCOC Head Start Program serves 517 children and their families in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside.
 
The Head Start Program is a comprehensive child and family development program for preschool aged children with a diagnosed disability and/or from families experiencing low-income. The program’s main goals are to work in partnership with parents to promote self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness for children. Components included within the comprehensive programming are: educational services, medical health, dental health and mental health services, nutritional services, services to children with disabilities or special needs; family educational and development services; social services support and referrals; transportation.
 
A variety of programming options is available to meet the needs of the children and families served. These options include: part-day/part-year center based; extended-day/part-year center based; full-day/full-year center based.

Program Options

The TCOC Head Start Program provides a variety of programming options to meet the needs of our families.

Extended-Day / Part-Year

This center based option runs 7 hours per day; four days per week (Monday-Thursday) throughout the school year (August-May).

Full-Day / Full-Year

This center based option runs 8 hours per day; five days per week (Monday-Friday), 12 months per year. It is open to families working, in-school or a combination of both.

Part-Day / Part-Year

This center based option runs 3.5 hours per day; four days per week (Monday-Thursday) throughout the school year (August-May).

2023-2024 Eligibility Guidelines

Head Start eligibility requirements are determined by legislation.

 
Age:
The TCOC Head Start Program serves preschool-aged children. To be eligible for the 2019-2020 program year a child’s birthday must fall between 09/01/14-08/31/16.
 
Income:
For a child to be eligible for program enrollment, the “family” income must meet the 100% of poverty criteria that is determined by the Federal Government:

To determine your family’s eligibility, please call 1-800-323-5434 and ask for Head Start.

Family Size I.E. 50% I.E. 75% I.E. 100% OG 101%-130%
1 Person
$0-$7,290
$7,291-$10,935
$10,936-$14,580
$14,581-$18,954
2 Persons
$0-$9,860
$9,861-$14,790
$14,791-$19,720
$19,721-25,636
3 Persons
$0-$12,430
$12,431-$18,645
$18,646-$24,860
$24,861-$32,318
4 Persons
$0-$15,000
$15,001-$22,500
$22,501-$30,000
$30,001-$39,000
5 Persons
$0-$17,570
$17,571-$26,355
$26,356-$35,140
$35,141-$45,682
6 Persons
$0-$20,140
$20,141-$30,210
$30,211-$40,280
$40,281-$52,364
7 Persons
$0-$22,710
$22,711-$34,065
$34,066-$45,420
$45,421-$59,046
8 Persons
$0-$25,280
$25,281-$37,920
$37,921-$50,560
$50,561-$65,728
For family units with more than 8 members, add $5,140 for each additional member to arrive at yearly amounts.
 
Income Exceptions:
At least 10% of program slots are reserved for children with disabilities. A child with a diagnosed disability may be considered for enrollment regardless of income.
 
Selection Criteria:
The Head Start Policy Council has developed criteria for selecting children for enrollment from all those that have been verified as “eligible” based on age and income criteria. The intent is to ensure that the children and families with the most need have priority for enrollment. A range of point values are awarded based on the criteria of a child’s age, family composition, disability status; income and special considerations within the immediate family.

Start the Application Process

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Program Documents

Parent Handbook - COVID-19 - English

Parent Handbook - COVID-19 - Spanish

Parent Handbook - English

Parent Handbook - Spanish

2023-24 Year at a Glance

2021-22 Annual Report

2022-23 Self Assessment Report

2021-22 Self Assessment Report

2020-21 Self Assessment Report

2019-20 Self Assessment Report

Organizational Chart

2022-23 Early Head Start PIR Summary

2022-23 Head Start PIR Summary

Employee Timesheet

Employee Worksheet

Employee Mileage

FREE EARLYCHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES RECIVING SNAP BENEFITS

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