< 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

2.1.2

Eligibility Requirements for State Programs (CCTR and CSPP)

Shasta Head Start contracts with the state government to provide two state-funded program options to families in need.

California State Child Care (CCTR). The CCTR program provides funding for childcare up to age 12; however, our contract with the state is to provide childcare through Early Head Start to children from 0-35 months of age. This program corresponds roughly to the Early Head Start program, but is state-funded rather than federally-funded.

California State Preschool Program (CSPP). This program corresponds roughly to the federally funded Head Start program. CSPP will fund 3- and 4-year-olds who attend Head Start. To be considered, the child must turn three or four by December 1st.

The eligibility requirements for each of these programs are defined in detail in the Program Requirements documentation from the California Department of Education:

Program Requirements for General Child Care & Development (CCTR)
California State Preschool Contract Terms and Conditions (CSPP)

For Early Head Start and Head Start families enrolled in a dually funded program (i.e., families enrolled in a Head Start classroom that is also CSPP, or an Early Head Start classroom that is also CCTR), they will be contacted by the ERSEA department to complete additional paperwork to determine their eligibility and need for services.

Below is a brief summary of the eligibility criteria and need for services requirements for the CCTR and CSPP programs.

State Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for state programs include the following:

CCTR	CSPP
Recipient of Protective Services	Recipient of Protective Services
Current Aid Recipient Child(ren) Identified as At Risk of Being Abused, Neglected, or Exploited	Current Aid Recipient Child(ren) Identified as At Risk of Being Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
Experiencing Homelessness	Experiencing Homelessness
Mean-Tested Government Programs	Child(ren) with Disabilities
Income Eligible	Means-Tested Government Programs
	Income Eligible

Note: Most families enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms will qualify for the “Means-Tested Governmental Programs” eligibility criteria as enrollment in Early Head Start or Head Start is included in this category.

Need for Services

Because a child has already been verified as eligible for Head Start, the child is eligible to attend for the federally-funded hours of that program, regardless of their need for services. However, families are only eligible for state programs to the extent that they demonstrate a need for childcare. Need for services for state programs include the following:

CCTR	CSPP
Child(ren) is (are) recipient(s) of child protective services, or identified as being abused, neglected, or exploited or at risk thereof	Child(ren) is (are) recipient(s) of child protective services, or identified as being abused, neglected, or exploited or at risk thereof
Parent/guardian is incapacitated	Parent/guardian is incapacitated
Family is experiencing homelessness	Family is experiencing homelessness
Family is seeking permanent housing	Family is seeking permanent housing
Parent/guardian is employed	Parent/guardian is employed
Parent/guardian is seeking employment	Parent/guardian is seeking employment
Parent/guardian is enrolled in vocational training or educational program	Parent/guardian is enrolled in vocational training or educational program
	No Need

Note: All families enrolled in a dually funded program will receive a minimum of our federally mandated hours regardless of state-subsidized hours. 6.25 hours for EHS/CCTR and 4.75 hours for HS/CSPP.

Family Fee

Families in a state program are required to pay a flat monthly family fee if their adjusted monthly income is at or above 75% of the state median income. The fee is assessed based on adjusted monthly income, family size, certified schedule, and is based on the family’s child who is certified for the greatest number of hours. The family fee does not change based on the number of children enrolled. It is due at the beginning of every month and does not change if a child does not attend.

Note: If enrolled families have questions regarding CCTR/CSPP eligibility, need for services, or family fees, please refer them to the ERSEA department.