The gist
According to a news release, the Head Start program provides high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services to eligible children and families.
The Head Start Preschool program is a two-year program that serves children ages 3-5 in partnership with Edgewood ISD and San Antonio ISD. The program operates at 29 campuses across San Antonio. To be eligible, children must be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1.
Additionally, DHS also offers the Early Head Start Program, which provides center-based and home-visiting services for infants and toddlers at six local nonprofit childcare centers and at Edgewood ISD. To be eligible, children must be 6 weeks to 3 years old and families must live in Edgewood ISD or San Antonio ISD.
The details
According to a news release, applications are open to all families, with priority given to households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, households experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, children living with non-custodial family members and children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities or developmental delays.
Priority will also be given to children receiving Child Care Services subsidies who apply for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program.
Quote of note
“Head Start provides community for households and teaches children skills they need to be successful in school. On average, 94% of parents surveyed in the 2023-2024 program year said they feel their child is ready to enter kindergarten,” said Melody Woosley, director of DHS. “In addition to education, Head Start helps facilitate critical health services like immunizations, vision, dental and hearing screenings, while also connecting with families and caretakers to provide support in meeting personal, housing, employment and education goals.”
What else?
Head Start is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1979, the program has served nearly 200,000 children.
For more information and to apply for the program, visit SAHeadStart.org/How-to-Apply.
