Enrollment / Eligibility

Head Start & Early Head Start services are available at no cost to income eligible families in Monterey County. Income eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines. The following are eligible for services:

• Pregnant women or families with children 0-5 years ages.
• Children with special needs, including children with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP)
• Children with high risk factors and/or disabling conditions (such as autism; emotional/behavior disorders; hearing, health, visual, orthopedic, speech, language or learning disabilities; mental retardation; traumatic brain injuries; or developmental delays)
• Immigrants or refugees
• Families participating in Cal WORKS who are working full-time, attending school or receiving job training.

To determine income eligibility, refer to the 2011 Family Income Guidelines shown below:

How to Apply   

Complete all sections of the application and include copies of the documents listed below. Please note that documents will not be returned.

• Birth Certificate. 
• Proof of Income.  Please provide a copy of the parent or guardian's current pay stub or documentation showing proof of employment.  The verification must state the parent's hourly rate of pay and number of hours worked per week.  If this cannot be obtained, a copy of last year's income tax return or W-2 form may be used. If applicable, the parent must provide one or all of the following: 1) Copy of the TANF Passport to Service, 2) Supplemental Security Income Benefit, 3) Disability Income, 4) Unemployment Income, 5) Workers Compensation Income, and 6) Child Support Verification. If full-day services are being requested, a validated school/training verification form must be submitted or a pay stub or letter showing full time work.
• Immunization Record. 
• Current Copy of IEP/IFSP, if applicable. 
• Proof of Legal Custody for Children in Foster Care. 
• Medi-Cal Card, if applicable.

The program requires that children older than one year must have a physical examination, dental examination, lead test, and tuberculosis test. The examinations and tuberculosis test must be current or must have been conducted within the last twelve months in order to be valid. These documents must be submitted at the time of registration. 

Print Application (English / Spanish)