Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) tasks are some of the most important work performed by Head Start programs. ERSEA governs how programs determine eligibility, enroll children, and track attendance. Discover resources to help programs assess the needs of their communities and recruit the children and families most in need. Explore materials and tools to help programs market their services, and develop and implement selection criteria. Also, find resources to identify community partners and better address community needs.
Eligibility is the first step and a key component in implementing ERSEA services. These strategies and guiding questions help programs identify and enroll children and families with the greatest need.
These FAQs explain how Head Start programs can use a housing adjustment to factor in high housing costs in income eligibility assessments, with guidelines on documentation, costs covered, and application flexibility.
This resource clarifies eligibility duration requirements or children younger than 3 who are served by Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs.
In this webinar, learn about the new Head Start eligibility criteria for children in Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs. Head Start leaders discuss how the provisions impact MSHS programs.
Log Number: ACF-OHS-PI-24-04 | Issuance Date: 05/13/2024
Log Number: ACF-OHS-PI-24-03 | Issuance Date: 05/13/2024
Read Director Garvin’s letter on the changes to Head Start eligibility criteria for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs.
On March 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers.
This page includes informational resources about the additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers.
Use these reference charts to identify the types of documents that can be used to verify Head Start eligibility.