Head Start & ECEAP

About Head Start & ECEAP

Head Start and the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP – prounced e-cap) are programs that promote the school readiness of young children from low-income families through classrooms in their local community. The federal Head Start program and the state-funded ECEAP program are delivered by Rural Resources in local classrooms across Tri-County communities.

Family members must apply with a program in their area.

Priority for enrollment is given to low-income, homeless and foster children ages 3 to 5 (not kindergarten eligible). A limited number of slots are available for over-income families as well. 10% of slots are reserved for children with diagnosed disabilities documented through Individualized Education Plans (IEP).

Head Start and ECEAP programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from age 3 to age 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social and other services. Head Start services are responsive to each child and family’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.

Head Start & ECEAP encourage the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teachers. Programs build relationships with families that support positive parent-child relationships, family well-being, and connections to peers and community.