Human Services News

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

Since 1965, the federal Head Start program has provided low-income 3- and 4-year-old children and their families with comprehensive early education and support services.

Head Start programs focus on the "whole child" and include early education that addresses cognitive, developmental, and socioemotional needs; medical and dental screenings and referrals; nutritional services; parental involvement activities and referrals to social service providers for the entire family; and mental health services.1 In 1994, policymakers authorized the Early Head Start program to address the needs of children under age 3 and pregnant women.

Based on information reported through the PIR, this fact sheet describes the characteristics of Head Start children and families (including children in Early Head Start, the Head Start preschool program, and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start) and the services provided to them during the 2004-2005 program year.

Increasingly, children in Head Start are receiving health insurance through public programs, even though parental employment rates have remained constant.

Read more from this post.