Head Start/Early Head Start

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IU13 offers programs in Lancaster and Lebanon counties to help prepare children for success in kindergarten.

ChildFor children from birth to age 3

Early Head Start
(Lancaster and Lebanon Counties)

Early Head Start is a federally funded community-based program for low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. Its mission is to enhance the development of very young children, and to promote healthy family functioning. Home visits provide parents with information on child development, nutrition, health and community services, and a parent/child activity is included.

  • Who is eligible? Pregnant women and children between the ages of birth to three years old are eligible for Early Head Start. To apply for Early Head Start, a family has to qualify for income eligibility according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This program is free to eligible families.  We will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate, proof of income and the child’s immunization record.

Early Head Start Home-Based Program
(Lebanon County)

Home visits provide eligible Lebanon County parents with information on child development, nutrition, and health and community services. In addition, a parent/child activity is included. Pregnant women and children between the ages of birth to three years old are eligible for Early Head Start. To apply for Early Head Start, a family must qualify for income eligibility according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This program is free to eligible families.

Contact us for more information about the Early Head Start home-based program, including eligibility, at headstart@iu13.org or call 717-450-1512.

Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships Program
(Lancaster County)

This opportunity is available for income-eligible families who are employed or in school, and serves children from age 0 until they turn 3. This program provides:

  • FREE child care (including meals and diapers)
  • Educational activities to help children learn and grow
  • Help getting families community services and medical/dental care
  • Support and tools for the child’s first and most important teacher – Mom, Dad, and/or Guardian!

Contact us for more information about the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships Program, including eligibility and locations, at EarlyHeadStart@iu13.org or call Christina at 717-947-1427. View our brochure.

For children from age 3 to Kindergarten

Lebanon County Head Start/Pre-K Counts
(Lebanon County)

Young boy on swing

Head Start/Pre-K Counts is a comprehensive preschool program for three and four-year-old children and their families. It is designed to strengthen and encourage early literacy, social development, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency by providing positive learning experiences. In Lebanon County, IU13 partners with the six school districts to provide young children with the school readiness skills they need to succeed in kindergarten.

  • Who is eligible? Children must be three years old before September 1, to qualify for Head Start/Pre-K Counts. To be eligible for the program, a family must qualify for eligibility according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These programs are free to eligible families. We will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate, proof of income and the child’s immunization record.

 

Family Involvement in Early Childhood Programs

Family involvement is a key part of Early Head Start and Head Start/Pre-K Counts programs! Opportunities include:

  • Family days
  • Family trainings
  • Home visits
  • Parent/teacher conferences
  • Policy Councils