The following criteria are used to give priority for recruiment and selection:

1. Eligibility is based upon income, which meet the current poverty federal guidelines.

2. The children enrolled in the Head Start will meet either of these criterion: a) be three years old prior to the date of or on the day of enrollment as required by the Performance Standards. b) fall in the category or date used to determine eligibility for public school in Community School District 14, which is December 31st. (Four year old children receive preference so they will be able to have at least one year of Head Start services).

3) Children with special needs

4) Children from families with special needs

5) The children of teenaged parents

6) Children from families in crisis such as homelessness, substance abuse, and an incarcerated parent(s)

7) Parents working or going to school

8) Children whose parents are unemployed

9) Children who are in foster care

10) Children who have siblings in the program

11) Overall priority is given to the needeiest famlilies

12) The family must live in the sevice area designated by CDSC Head Start, while meeting all Federal requirments.

Head Start Family Income Guidelines

Children are eligible to participate in Head Start if they are from low-income families or if their families are eligible for public assistance. The 2008 Family Income Guidelines are used to determine a family's eligibility for Head Start. All admission is with proof of income.

                                  2008 Poverty Guidelines

TANF participants, Foster Care, SSI recipients, and low-income families are all eligible to apply to the Head Start Program.