< back to welcome page 1 Recruitment 2 Eligibility

2.1Eligibility Requirements Overview

2.1.1Head Start and Early Head Start Eligibility Requirements 2.1.2Eligibility Requirements for State Programs (CCTR and CSPP)

2.2Application and Eligibility Interview (First Meeting)

2.2.1Preparing for the Application and Eligibility Interview 2.2.2Conducting the Application and Eligibility Interview 2.2.3Completing Tasks from the Application and Eligibility Interview 2.2.4Verifying Head Start Eligibility

2.3Waitlist Management

2.3.1Family Changes prior to Enrollment 2.3.2Reverifying Returning Children

2.4Verifying and Recertifying Families for State Programs

2.5Addressing Family Changes for State Program Applications

3 Selection 4 Enrollment 5 Receiving (or Providing) Services 6 Transition 7 Admin/Operations 8 ChildPlus 9 Learning Paths

2.2.2

Conducting the Application and Eligibility Interview

The purpose of the application and eligibility interview is to gather the documentation from the family to place children on the Head Start waitlist. At this time, discuss their preferences regarding program options, and complete the required application forms.

Before the interview:

Family Workers/Home Visitors (outlying areas), and Enrollment Coordinators inform families of the materials and documents they need to bring to the meeting. This could be completed via telephone or during the walk-in process
Gather the appropriate standardized forms. These forms are located in Preparing for the Application and Eligibility Interview

Refer to the General Verification Documents Based on Circumstances to determine which other forms are required for the family. Complete the forms required based on the family’s situation

During the interview:

Use the In-person/Phone Interview Example as a guide for explanations about the program and questions to ask the family

Discuss the family’s preferences for programs, based on the family’s eligibility, the age of the child, their preferred location, and the program options available. Refer to the Program Options Summary

Documentation collection for in-person interviews:

Make copies of the documentation the family has brought to the interview. You will include these documents with the completed standardized forms to form your bundle to send to the ERSEA department, which will verify eligibility
Return the original documentation that the family brought with them

Documentation collection when using DocuSign:

The family uploads files or pictures of the requested documents; therefore, making copies is not necessary

Note: If the family does not bring complete documentation to the in-person interview, you may complete as much of the paperwork as you can, but DO NOT DATE OR COLLECT ANY SIGNATURES ON THE FORMS. If you fill out the Application and Eligibility forms, keep them in a locked file cabinet at your site until all documents have been received from the family and the forms are signed and dated. They cannot be submitted to ERSEA until the packet of application materials is complete. They should reschedule when they have all the documentation to finish their applications at that time.

After the interview:

Provide the family with the following handouts

- 2-1-1 Card – Social Services Reference Card. This card directs the family to other useful resources
- Waitlist and Selection Facts for Parents Card

Inform the family that you believe you have everything required, but that you may need to contact them for additional information or documents after the ERSEA department reviews the paperwork
Let them know they will be added to the waitlist for their preferred location upon completion of the eligibility and verification process