Head Start & Early Head Start

Grow with ABC Head Start!

ABC Head Start is now enrolling children ages 0 - 5 for the 2025 - 2026 school year.

At Head Start, we support and create opportunities for your entire family to grow. Whether that's offering quality education for your children, transportation for your child so you can get to work on time, or opportunities to share your voice and story with us, we're here for you and ready to help your children receive the best care and education!

"As a teacher, ABC Head Start has been a huge blessing to my family. I've been able to provide for my family while in school and teaching. I even had a cancer health scare. ABC had the flexibility to step in to help. Childcare Assistants covered my classes when I couldn't be there. They're family and they work with you!"

What is Head Start & Early Head Start?

ABC Head Start and Early Head Start (HS & EHS) is a federally-funded program in Monroe County that provides educational and developmental services to over 1,000 children and pregnant women. We also provide 75 children with services through a partnership with IBERO American Action League.

In the United States, every year over a million children are served by Head Start programs in every state and territory. Today, ABC provides one of the highest performing programs in the country by actively ensuring all children have equitable access to a quality preschool education; as well as assisting parents in providing a home-life that nurtures their child’s full development.

What Does HS & EHS Do?

Employs a dedicated, highly qualified staff
Provides a child-centered, individualization approach
Promotes a healthy, stable home and family life

Provides children with health screenings and nutritious meals
Supports strong family foundations
Encourages parents to be involved in the program with their children

Participant Testimonials

"My son has been going to ABC Head start for 2 years now. I wouldn’t have picked a better early school for him. The staff and teachers are more than wonderful. The love that they have for the children that attend there is beyond unconditional love. My son looks forward to going to school each and everyday. Even outside the classroom the staff are there and are more than willing to help out in ways that they can. If anyone was to ask me what’s the best school for my 3 or 4 year old child, hands down it would be ABC Head Start. There you know your child will get all they need and more to help them get ready for kindergarten. I am forever grateful for the ABC Head Start family on Jefferson Ave. Thank you to all the staff for you love and support.”
"I am a single father in the Southwest part of the city. This situation has been trying, raising twins is difficult in itself. I have had tremendous help from the staff at ABC Head Start from family services all the way to assisting with holidays. I greatly appreciate all the support from my twins school. It is easy to leave them in the care of the staff here. I was referred to this school last year, and they have lived up to every story I heard! Moral support is not lacking either. It’s great to have such dedicated people for your child’s development. Thank you Headstart!"
My name is Elizabeth Delorm and I am currently enrolled in the early head start program. My
son is Levi Motyka and I currently work with Dana Gooding. I have been in the early head start program for all 3 of my children, my other 2 are 10 and 9. So I am very familiar with the program. I absolutely love the program. My worker is very hands on and informational. She brings good activities to do with my son as his development progresses. She leaves information for me and helps me with referrals to the community if I need it. I also like how the program can refer any other needed services such as early intervention if its determined they need it. The socializations are also a way for all us parents to come together and meet. I couldn’t imagine doing the program with anyone except Ms. Gooding her work ethic is amazing and she has taught me so much. I would highly recommend the program to anyone and I have.

Participant Eligibility

Program Participants must have children under 5 years old or be pregnant. Plus, you must meet one of the following criteria:

Are currently receiving TANF, SSI, or SNAP benefits
Have a household income equal to or below the federal poverty guideline (limited space available for over-families)
Are currently homeless
Child is in foster care

Items needed when applying:

Child’s birth certificate (or other official document verifying the child’s birth date)
Child’s up-to-date immunization records, physical exam (including lead and hematocrit), and dental exam
Proof of income (pay stubs, DHS budget sheet, Form 1040 tax return, 6 months of unemployment with W-2 or SSI statements)