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Head Start

Head Start & Early Head Start Program Update

Head Start is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 program year with the following program options:

  • Early Head Start—Home-based: Weekly home visits from a Family Support Specialist. Twice monthly Family Fun Events to help build relationships, learn skills, and have fun!
  • Early Head Start—Center-based Infant (6 weeks-16 months): Small class sizes, full-year, Monday through Friday programming open 7:30-5:30. *Requires CCAP or Pathway 1 funding
  • Early Head Start—Center-based Toddler (16-36 months): Small class sizes, full-year, Monday through Friday programming open 7:30-5:30. *Requires CCAP or Pathway 1 funding
  • Head Start Preschool (3-5 years old): Part day (morning or afternoon) and Extended day (7.5 hours) Monday through Thursday. Bussing will be available to most families.
  • Head Start Preschool Full-year (3-5 years old): Monday through Friday, centers are open for 10 to 10.5 hours each day. *Requires CCAP or Pathway 1 funding
  • **NEW** Head Start/St. Paul Public Schools Partnership Preschool (4 year olds only): Extended day (6.5 hours per day) Monday through Friday. Transportation is available through St. Paul Public Schools. 

     

Please complete the online application below, print off and mail in a paper application, or call the Enrollment Hotline at 651-603-5977.

 

Online Applications

What is Head Start?

Head Start is a federally-funded program that offers free preschool and family support services to families in need. Head Start has been around since 1965 and there are Head Start programs in every state in the country! Community Action Head Start is a no-cost child and family development program for eligible children ages 3-5 years living in Ramsey County. All preschool students receive at least two healthy meals in their classroom each day and free transportation is available for many of our families. 

Other services include: oral and physical health, developmentally-appropriate curriculum, social-emotional learning, parent engagement, family fun events, social services, and support for children with special needs and disabilities. Our staff speak Karen, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo, and Amharic and we value your family’s home language by encouraging children to learn their home language as well as English. Children who have an IEP and different health needs are welcome and included in all center activities. 

Quality early childhood education is essential for success throughout a child’s life! Enrolling your 3 to 5 year-old child in our free preschool can give them the school-readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. 

Head Start has the highest Parent Aware rating and is committed to providing quality comprehensive services designed to prepare young children for success in school and in life. Head Start participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide meals to children and partners with local dentists and clinics to offer healthcare services in the classroom.


What Is Early Head Start?

Early Head Start was created in 1994 in order to support families with children ages 0-3 years and pregnant mothers. Community Action Early Head Start's family-driven philosophy empowers parents and caregivers to support and nurture their children. Community Action Early Head Start has two different program options for families: center-based and home-based.

Am I Eligible?

Head Start programs prepare America’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. Families are automatically eligible for the program if they meet at least one of the following:

  • Receiving Public Assistance (SNAP food stamps, MFIP cash assistance or SSI)
  • Foster Care family
  • Experiencing Homelessness (lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing)
  • Living at or below the current Federal Poverty Guidelines (see below)
Family Size Family Income
1 $14,580
2 $19,720
3 $24,860
4 $30,000
5 $35,140
6 $40,280
7 $45,420
8 $50,560

*For families or households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person. 

How Do I Enroll?

Applications can be submitted electronically or in-person.

In-Person Applications

The Community Action Resource Center is open for drop-in applications, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. However, we recommend making an appointment before stopping by. To make an appointment Monday through Friday, please call 651-603-5977 to speak to an Enrollment Specialist. Our staff will be available to answer any of your questions and help you complete your application. If you would like to print an application and fill it out at home, please follow the link below:

What Else Do I Need?

Head Start/Early Head Start requires some documents to complete your application. Sending these documents to us will make the application process go faster.

  • Proof of child’s birth date (copy of birth certificate, medical record, ID, etc.) 
  • Proof of income 
    • Public Assistance Letter for MFIP, DWP, or SSI 
    • SNAP EBT Card or SNAP Case Number 
    • Proof that the child is a foster child 
    • Proof of a family’s homeless status 
    • Income documents like W2, 1040, child support payments, or paystubs 
  • Your child’s immunization records or a signed exemption letter
  • Physical Form
  • Dental Form
  • Notice of Privacy Practices

You can email copies of these documents to hs-apps@caprw.org or bring them in person to the Community Action Resource Center.

Our full-day, full-year programs require funding from Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) or the Think Small Pathway 1 Early Learning Scholarship. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or the Think Small Pathway 1 Early Learning Scholarship is required.

Find out more about CCAP!

Find out more about the Pathway 1 scholarship!

You can also complete the Think Small Pathway 1 Scholarship by clicking below. You can turn the document into our building or email it to esherman@caprw.org. If you have any questions, please call Elizabeth Sherman, Subsidy Administrator, at 651-248-2595

Annual Report & Community Assessment

Learn more about how critical Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start are for our community, and how we are taking action with our neighbors to improve children's lives:


Head Start Main Office 

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Community Action Resource Center, Suite 5
450 Syndicate Street North
St. Paul, MN 55104

* Community Action is an equal opportunity provider.


In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

fax:
833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or

email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov

*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Our Impact This Year

  • People Who Received Utility Bill Assistance

    49,780

  • Children Enrolled in Head Start & Early Head Start

    1,622

  • People Whose Utility Bills Were Lowered Through Home Weatherization

    245

  • Workers Provided with Transportation Support Including Vehicle Loans, Repair Grants, and Transit Passes

    1,743

© 2024 Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties

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