Application and Enrollment Information

Applications for enrollment into Head Start / Early Head Start are accepted any time during the year. However, to be considered for fall program start, parents will want to start the process as early as March.

To complete an application for enrollment, contact the appropriate staff person for the county in which the family resides. The application appointment will last approximately 20 minutes. Parents must bring the following documentation to the appointment in order to determine eligibility:

• documentation of all sources of income (12 months of check stubs, W-2 form, Federal 1040 tax form, etc.)
• child's birth certificate
• any documentation regarding the child’s special needs or disability (if applicable)
• proof of residency (Driver's license, Michigan ID, utility bill)
• child custody information/documentation (if applicable)

The selection process begins in June. Applications are reviewed using selection criteria to identify children and families with the greatest need for services. If selected, parents are notified as to the next steps in the enrollment process.

If a child is eligible to participate but there are no openings, parents are notified that the child has been placed on the waiting list. If a child is not eligible for the program, parents are also notified of this along with the reasons for ineligibility.

Applications are valid only for the program year in which they are completed. If a child is age eligible for the next program year, parents are urged to contact us again to complete another application for the new program year.

If selected to participate in the program, the following child health requirements must be met:

• complete medical exam, including hearing and vision screens, blood pressure reading, and hematocrit/hemoglobin
• dental examination
• up-do-date immunizations

Parents are notified during August of any start-up activities, such as open houses, teacher home visits, etc.