Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded program that awards grants to local public agencies, tribal governments, private non- profit/for-profit agencies, and school divisions. Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. All programs welcome children with disabilities.
Head Start programs include:
- Head Start Preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and
- Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.
There are many Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Virginia. Visit the federal Head Start website to locate a Head Start program in your area.
Each state has a Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSCO). In Virginia, this office is a part of the VDOE.
What is the purpose of the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSCO)?
The HSCO serves as a liaison between the federal Office of Head Start and the Early Head Start and Head Start grant recipients within Virginia. The office was established to build linkages between Head Start grant recipients and state and community partner agencies, and to increase access to comprehensive services for eligible children and families.
The HSCO provides leadership on the state level through collaborative partnerships. The HSCO Executive Director serves as an ambassador for Head Start by supporting state efforts to ensure high quality services to Early Head Start and Head Start families. The HSCO does not provide direct administrative functions or grant funding for Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
Head Start National Priorities
The Office of Head Start has established national priorities that guide the work plans of all state Head Start Collaboration Offices. These national priorities can be found on the Office of Head Start website.
Head Start State Collaboration Office Resources:
- Head Start State Needs Assessment Survey Report
Office of Head Start (OHS) Resources
- Head Start.gov The official Head Start website that encompasses the latest federal policy, regulatory guidance and resources available.
- OHS Training and Technical (T/TA) Centers – The OHS T/TA system provides supports and resources for programs to help with the implementation of quality comprehensive services for children and families. The T/TA system includes the National Centers, Regional T/TA Network, and grant recipient funding.
Head Start Partner Resources
- Early Impact Virginia – State Alliance that works with home visiting and early childhood leaders to develop policies to support home-based programming. Early Impact Virginia partners with Head Start by providing training and resources for grant recipients that offer home visiting services to families.
- Project Hope Virginia – State Coordinator for the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Project Hope Virginia is a key state partner for Head Start, offering essential resources and support to address the needs of unhoused children and families.
- Virginia Head Start Association - The state Association focuses on training and advocacy that fosters growth for its members. As a partner, the Association facilitates all state Head Start training conferences and leads service area network meetings to enhance staff development.
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH) - A statewide central office with 35 local health districts dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Virginians. VDH partners with Head Start ensuring that Virginia’s families have access to quality medical and dental services.
- Virginia's Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5) - Virginia's unified quality measurement and improvement system that supports all publicly funded programs, including Head Start, in providing high-quality early learning experiences. Public VQB5 Quality Profiles are now available.