Purpose
Head Start provides a comprehensive program of health, education, parent involvement, and services for children with disabilities, all of which are coordinated with community-based service systems. Early Head Start programs also include services to low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. In addition to the full range of services provided to all children, special services may be available for children with disabilities enrolled in the program including equipment and materials or modifications to existing facilities. These types of support services may be provided through Head Start, outside agencies, or a combination of both. Head Start services are provided at no charge to eligible families.
Contact
Paula A. Brown, Director,
Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration Office,
Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies,
605 Centennial Blvd,
Edmond, OK 73013
(405) 949-1495,
headstart@okacaa.org
Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration Office
Financial Criteria
- 90% of the families are at/ or below the federal poverty level.
Eligibility
- Children ages birth to 5 and pregnant women with a family income at or below 100% of the federal poverty line;
- those with disabilities must have been diagnosed by appropriate professionals;
- children who are homeless or in foster care are categorically eligible; and
- a minimum of 10% of Head Start enrollment opportunities must be filled by children with professionally diagnosed disabilities requiring special services.
AT Services Provided/Covered
- Assessments & Evaluations
- Information & Referral
- Case Management
- Locating Alternate Funding
- Advocacy/Other
- Training For Family
- Medical/Dental Home
- School Readiness
AT Devices Provided/Covered
- Support services may be provided through Head Start, outside agencies, or a combination of both. Head Start programs use non-Head Start resources whenever possible.
How to Get the AT
- Contact your local Head Start to apply.
- To ensure appropriate special services and optimal transition into public schools, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for each child who has a disability by the diagnostic team, parents, and teacher. The IEP reflects the child’s participation in the full range of Head Start services and also describes the special education and related services needed to respond to the child’s disability. Needed AT devices and services should also be addressed in the IEP.
Pieces of the Puzzle
- Head Start programs in Oklahoma are administered locally by Community Action Agencies, private nonprofit agencies, American Indian Tribes, and school districts.
Dispute Resolution Process
- Each Head Start program has its own formal appeals process in place.
- If a parent has a disagreement with the program that is not resolved at the local level, the parent can contact the Regional Office in Dallas, Texas by calling (214) 767-9648.