Episcopal Children’s Services Head Start Program

Head Start/Early Head Start is a free program for children of families with low incomes, providing comprehensive early learning in both center-based and home-based settings. This successful program helps ensure children’s readiness for school and increases parental knowledge in children’s growth and development. Episcopal Children’s Services’ Head Start program provides full-day, center-based early learning to children ages 3-5 years, and the Early Head Start program provides full-day, full-year, center-based and home-based early learning to pregnant women and children birth to 3 years of age. The program also provides additional family supports, such as literacy workshops, parenting skills training, and targeted attention on meeting specialized needs in regards to children with disabilities, behavioral challenges, and health concerns. ECS provides Early Head Start services to 1,113 pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in both home-based and center-based settings and Head Start services to 1,840 3- and 4-year olds in center-based settings across Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, and Nassau Counties.

Head Start programs offer FREE high quality early education and family support services. Eligibility includes:
• Children in Foster Care
• Homeless Families
• Children with Disabilities
• Families receiving TANF, SNAP or SSI
• Income Eligible Families

Centers will offer Head Start services beginning August 2023 or before. If interested in attending, families can apply and enroll in our temporary home-based services until the centers open.

What is the Home-Based Program?
A Parent Educator will come to your home weekly and provide FREE: Developmental screenings • Referral to community services • Children three to five • Socialization activities with other families • Information on child development and early learning.