To ensure school readiness and provide a learning environment that supports growth in physical, social and emotional development and health, we monitor each child's health status.The following documents are required by the Office of Head Start to make certain your child is "school ready":

• Current physical: Including blood pressure reading, hematocrit/hemoglobin, and results of lead testing (Sample form)
• Current Immunization form (Sample form)
• Dental exam by a qualified dentist completed within the last six months (Sample form and provider resources)

Contracted Dental Providers

• https://www.tampafamilyhc.com/
• http://suncoast-chc.org/

If your child does not have insurance, please explore the options available through the Florida Department of Health: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/kidcare/index.html

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Head Start nutrition services help enrolled families to meet each child's nutritional needs by establishing good eating habits that nurture health development and promote life-long wellbeing. Each child is provided two balanced meals and a snack each day. The program participates in the School Lunch Program and assistance is available to help parents identify nutritional needs of the children.

Staff and the Nutrition Committee supervise and plan the menus for breakfast and lunch. The menu is approved by a Registered Dietician and meet the USDA and Head Start requirements. The Nutrition Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month to plan the menus. The meals provide the students with foods that supply two-thirds of their "Recommended Dietary Allowances" and contribute to good health. The foods are high in nutrients and low in fats, sugar and salt. During the Nutrition Committee meetings, nutritional information and training is presented to inform families about the importance of nutrition and healthy food choices. Parent requested topics are also provided.

HCPS Head Start must prevent exposure to specific foods for enrolled students who may have food allergies. Therefore, the program does not permit outside food items to be brought into the classroom or to be served to the students.

For students with special dietary needs, Student Nutrition Services can modify or substitute meals. The first step in this process is to obtain a Diet Prescription Form for Special Meals, which can be downloaded from the Hillsborough County Public Schools website. The program can make requested modifications only if the form is completed, signed by the student's physician, and returned to the HCPS Head Start office. The program will forward the completed form to the student's assigned school.

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Hillsborough County Public Schools Head Start believes that you, as a parent and/or legal guardian, are the most important influence in your child's education and development. One of Head Start goals is to support you in this role. Some of these opportunities include:

• Participate in family focused activities - Family Fun Days, Literacy Nights, Health Fair, Week of the Young, End of the Year celebrations, Special Projects events, etc.
• Develop and increase leadership skills
• Participate in shared decision-making for planning and operation of the program through Policy Committee
• Accept membership in the Parent Committee Group at each site and/or program option
• Assist in developing Parent Committee Calendar and/or Budget
• Participate in developing activities with other parents
• Participate in parent education /training classes
• Gain valuable parenting skills
• Learn more about community resources
• Develop friendships with other parents, staff and community partners
• We make information, experiences, and other resources available throughout the year that can make your job a little easier.
  School PTA membership

In Head Start, we consciously "individualize" the curriculum for each child within the group to support each child's rate of development as well as individual interests, temperaments, languages, cultural backgrounds, learning styles, and prior knowledge. The learning environment is, therefore, arranged to accommodate a variety of children's strengths and needs, and to stimulate learning across all domains of development: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. The curriculum that we use includes the Head Start Frameworks and the four year old standards. The (DLM) Developmental Learning Materials are units of instruction that encompass all academic areas that is also used by teachers to guide and implement instruction. Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) is utilized and it's an ongoing progress monitoring tool that is an authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through Kindergarten. It is based on 38 objectives that include predictors of school success and are aligned with state early learning standards.

What is Head Start?
Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive, child development program that encompasses all aspects of a child's development and learning. Preschools are usually privately funded, usually through tuition and fees that the parents have to pay. More information >>

How Much Does Head Start Cost?
Head Start provides free learning and development services to children ages 3 to 5 from low‐income families; however, Head Start is funded through our families support by volunteering, which turns into in‐kind dollars for the program to remain funded from year to year. To volunteer now please click on the link below for more information. Head Start welcomes children with disabilities.

Is My Child Eligible for Head Start?

• Eligibility is based on age and income. Children age 3 to 4 years old by September 1st of the year in which you are applying or children age 5 after September 1st of the year you are applying are age eligible for the program.
• Families with low income, according to the Poverty Guidelines published by the federal government, are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services (birth to 2 years old).
• Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of income.

How Do I Find a Head Start School Site Near Me?
If you need help finding a Head Start school site near you, call Head Start Administration at (813) 740‐7870, extension 379, or Head Start School Sites.

School Locator

Does Head Start Accept Children with Disabilities or Special Needs?
The Head Start Act of 2007 requires that, 10 percent of the total number of children actually enrolled by each Head Start agency and each delegate agency will be children with disabilities who are determined to be eligible for special education and related services, or early intervention services...by the State or local agency providing services under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA].

What If My Income Level Is Higher Than the Poverty Guidelines?
Head Start programs may enroll up to 10% of children from families that have incomes above the Poverty Guidelines; however, this is only contingent upon all income eligible families in the community have placement in the program. Programs may also serve up to an additional 35% of children from families whose incomes are above the Poverty Guidelines, but below 130% of the poverty line if the program can ensure that certain conditions described in the section 645 (a)(1)(B)(iii)(II) of the Head Start Act have been met.

What Are the Other Options If My Child Is Ineligible For Head Start?
If you are ineligible for Head Start, the Child Care Aware program can help you in locating other childcare services in your community. To find the local child care resource and referral agency, please contact Child Care Aware toll‐free at 800‐424‐2246. Web site: http://www.childcareaware.org/.

How Can I Get Involved with Head Start?
Head Start welcomes volunteers. By becoming a volunteer you can help in the classroom and on field trips, assist in renovating centers, and support parent education. Your volunteer experience may later qualify you for training which can help you find employment in the child care field. For information about volunteering please contact our Parent Engagement office at (813) 740‐7870, extension 349.

Does Head Start Assist with Community Resources?
Yes, we have certified Social Workers and Family Services Advocates readily available to provide support to our families with any assistance they need regarding housing, food, clothing, counseling, utilities assistance etc. to name a few. If you’re in need of any assistance please contact us at (813) 740‐7870.