Supporting Full Enrollment
In this webinar, explore ways to achieve and maintain full program enrollment. Learn about the elements of effective outreach and recruitment.
ERSEA
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.
Full Enrollment Initiative
Log Number: ACF-PI-HS-18-04 | Issuance Date: 06/05/2018
Poverty Guidelines and Determining Eligibility for Participation in Head Start Programs
The HHS Poverty Guidelines are used to determine income eligibility for participation in Head Start programs. Program staff may refer to these resources when working with families.
Family Income Guidelines: Military Income
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides information that will assist programs in determining the gross income of those families with members in the armed forces. Family service staff will find this information beneficial in determining the eligibility of children of military families for enrollment in the Head Start program.
Extending and Aligning Redetermination Periods
Research on continuity of care has found that instability is high with low-income families. Extending eligibility redeterminations to 12 months or more provides financial stability for families. It also gives continuous early care and education for children.
ERSEA
Eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) tasks are some of the most important work performed by Head Start programs.
Head Start Eligibility Verification Form
Programs may use the Head Start Eligibility Verification Form as a component of the eligibility determination record alongside copies of documents or statements deemed necessary to verify eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Poverty Guidelines and Poverty
The poverty guidelines, which are issued every year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services, are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes. Grantees often have questions regarding who is eligible for enrollment in Head Start and other social services programs. These frequently asked questions will assist them in understanding how to use the guidelines to assess eligibility and other questions they may have.