Homelessness and Head Start

With the recent changes in McKinney-Vento (MV) because of amendments by the Every Student Succeeds Act, and new implementation dates, it seems a good time to remind folks about how best to support children under the age of 5 whose families are experiencing homelessness.

MV says programs should:

2. Preschool-aged homeless children, including clarification that local liaisons must ensure that these children and their families have access to and receive services, if eligible, under LEA administered preschool programs, including Head Start, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities), and other preschool programs administered by the LEA;

--Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program Non-Regulatory Guidance (Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, (p. 1)

Head Start programs are available in nearly every county in Iowa, and children experiencing homeless are categorically eligible (i.e. they are eligible for Head Start services simply based on their status as homeless as defined by MV). Attached is a list of the Head Start programs associated with every school district. We are encouraging you to reach out to these programs to establish a communication link prior to actually needed to connect when referring families. 

We recommend considering Head Start because the services provided go beyond just preschool services and include a full complement of family support services, including assisting families in finding secure and permanent housing. Head Start and Early Head Start programs are supposed to hold open slots for children in situations of homelessness. When children are younger than 4 year-old they could still be served by Head Start as three year olds. If younger than 3, they can be served by Early Head Start which is for pregnant women and children birth to age three. Early Head Start services may be either center-based or home-based. Though not as available across the state as Head Start, you will see from the attached document whether Early Head Start services are available in your district.

There is no guarantee that every child referred can be served but this should be a primary source for referral. Please contact me below if you have any questions or need help in contact your local Head Start program. 

Thomas Rendon, Coordinator

Head Start State Collaboration Office

Iowa Department of Education

400 E. 14th Street

Des Moines, IA  50319

515-326-5389