Head Start/Early Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher. The Head Start/Early Head Start program is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to 5 years old, and pregnant women. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social, and other services. Head Start/Early Head Start services are responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.
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Head Start serves children 3 and 4 years of age.
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MECAA's Head Start/Early Head Start programs build relationships with families that support:
*Family well-being and positive parent-child relationships;
*Families as learners and life-long educators;
*Family engagement in transitions; family connections to peers and community; and
*Families as advocates and leaders
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MECAA provides two options for learning environments: Center Based and Home Based
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Center Based Option: Centers or Schools that children attend for part day services
Home Based Option: Services are provided in the children's homes. A staff person visits once a week to provide services to the child and family. Children and families who received home-based services gather twice per month with other enrolled families for a group learning experience facilitated by Head Start staff.
Where Hope Starts To Heal
Registration for Head Start/ Early Head Start Program
Parents with children from birth to 5 years old, and receive income that meets federal guidelines may qualify for the Head Start/ Early Head Start Program
Required Documentation
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ALL proof of family income (most recent tax return or pay stub for 12 consecutive months prior to application date)
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Proof of receipt of Families First or SSI, if received in the last 12 months.
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Your child's birth certificate
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Your child's current physical
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Your child's Social Security card (Pre-K only)
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Your child's Immunization on
Tennessee state form -
Proof of your child's learning disability if applicable (i.e. IEP, IFSP, or psychological evaluation)
If you would like to fill out an application, be sure to have all the required documentation with you as mentioned above and visit one of our centers.