< 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 Meeting (First Meeting)

2.2.1Preparing for the Application and Eligibility Meeting 2.2.2Conducting the Application and Eligibility Meeting 2.2.3Completing Tasks from the Application and Eligibility Meeting 2.2.4Verifying New Eligibility 2.2.5Login to DocuSign

2.3Waitlist Management

2.3.1Family Changes prior to Enrollment 2.3.2Reverifying Returning Children

2.4Applying for a State Program

2.5Verifying and Reverifying Families for State Programs

2.6Addressing 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

2.2.1

Preparing for the Application and Eligibility Meeting

After the family has had a chance to gather the materials listed on the yellow Eligibility Postcard, they will contact a Center or the Admin Office to set up the first meeting. During this meeting, they will complete the necessary applications and forms to apply for Head Start.

When a family contacts you to set up the first meeting:

1. Identify the best location for the family and offer them the choice of either coming to that Center, or to the Admin office if it’s closer. Provide the family with the site’s phone number and address so they can make the appointment.

2. If necessary, send an email to the Family Worker at the Center, or ERSEA at the Admin Office, to notify them that the family will be reaching out to them.

3. Book the first meeting for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the family’s needs and the number of children to be waitlisted. Leave time between appointments in case they go long. Be prepared with some simple activities to occupy the child while you work with the adults to fill out the paperwork.

Note: Confirm with the family that they have gathered the required documentation as requested on their yellow Eligibility Postcard.

4. Gather the necessary forms and information that you will discuss with the family. The ERSEA team has created an Intake Kit containing the eligibility forms and reference cards used at the first meeting. This includes:

Intake Forms (Required from all families)

1. - EL001-Application for Services. Instructions | Formster | English | Spanish
  - EL002-SHS Eligibility Form (1 per program year). Instructions | Formster | English | Spanish
  - EL003-Income Calculation Worksheet & Staff Statement. Instructions | Formster | English
  - EL010-ERSEA Scan Coversheet. Formster | English

In addition, the family must provide:

1. - Age verification (birth certificate, passport to services, hospital record, or other official forms). The Head Start family may provide this information in writing so it does not create a barrier.

Supporting Documentation (Required as applicable)

1. - EL004-Third Party Verification Consent Form. English and Spanish
  - EL005-Zero Income Statement. Formster | English and Spanish
  - EL006-Family Income Self-Declaration Form. Formster | English and Spanish
  - EL007-Foster Care Verification Form. English and Spanish
  - EL008-Income Verification from Employer. Formster | English and Spanish

In addition, the family must provide:

1. - Any current court papers or restraining orders
  - Current IEP/IFSP paperwork

Parent Handouts

Provide the parent or guardian with relevant resources, including current flyers for services in the local community.

1. - 2-1-1 Card – Social Services Reference Card. This card directs the family to other useful resources.
  - Waitlist and Selection Facts for Parents Card
  - Eligibility Postcard (if needed). Formster | English
  - Other flyers as applicable, such as the Triple P Workshop flyer, Parent Café, etc.

5. In addition, prepare any materials you need to explain the options available to the family. These include:

A location map to help determine the best location for the family to receive services. You can print this from the Shasta Head Start internet site, by clicking the Locations tab and selecting the relevant county.

- The list of Centers and sites, including Telephone and address found on the Contacts tab on the SHS Internet site.
- Information about the various program options and eligibility requirements:
  - Program Options Summary
  - Program Option Reference Card
  - FCC Centers and Classes. This sheet provides information about which centers provide State program classrooms for children aged 0-3 years old.
  - Program Comparisons
  - Eligibility Requirements