Early Head Start provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families, and pregnant women and their families. MFCS' Early Head Start serves 112 children across Hernando and Volusia Counties. Early Head Start programs serve families through a full day, full year program. MFCS Early Head Start is center-based and provides early learning, care and enrichment experiences to children in an early care and education setting. Staff members also visit family homes at least twice per year.

Head Start is a nationally-recognized early education program which seeks to develop or improve social competency and school readiness in children ages 3-4, through quality, individualized, comprehensive and culturally sensitive service delivery. Head Start works collaboratively with community partners to empower families to achieve positive outcomes.  

MFCS administers the federally-funded Head Start program and the state-funded Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program in Hernando, Sumter and Volusia Counties. This program serves 977 three- and four-year old children from low-income families, preparing them for kindergarten through developmentally appropriate curriculum, the provision of health, mental health, nutrition, and dental services. Social services are provided for families, and parent involvement is the key to program success. Ten percent of enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities. To see our list of locations, visit http://www.midfloridaheadstart.com/locations/index.

Who is Eligible:

Early Head Start serves low-income infant and toddlers age 6 weeks to 3 years. Infants and toddlers can begin to receive Early Head Start services at any point in the year after they are 6 weeks old. (Note: placement is subject to eligibility and slot vacancy.)  Early Head Start also provides support for income eligible pregnant women.

Head Start serves low-income children ages three to five years. Children can begin to receive Head Start services at any point in the year when they turn 3 years old. (Note:  placement is subject to eligibility and slot vacancy.) 

Services Available: 

Head Start provides a comprehensive array of services to children and families, including the following:

• Education - developmentally appropriate classroom activities to prepare children for kindergarten and life;
• Disability Services - 10% of the funded enrollment is made available for children with disabilities;
• Health Services - medical, dental, nutritional and mental health services; and,
• Family Services - social service assistance, parent involvement in all aspects of the program, leadership development, family self-sufficiency assistance and family development 

Head Start services are designed to be responsive to each child and the family's ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage. 

Funding:  

Early Head Start/Head Start programs are federally funded, comprehensive child development programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Fees:

There is no charge for Early Head Start, Head Start, or VPK for "eligible" families. 

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Contact Information:

     1-888-227-0010

Locations:    Hernando, Sumter and Volusia Counties. To see our list of all locations, visit http://www.midfloridaheadstart.com/locations/index.

Head Start Hours of Operation:

Hernando County – 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Sumter County – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Volusia County – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

*Extended hours are available at designated sites.

Early Head Start Hours of Operation:

Hernando County – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Volusia County – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*Extended hours are available at each location offering Early Head Start services.

Applications for enrollment will be accepted as follows : 

Hernando and Sumter Counties 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or you may call for an appointment at the Hernando or Sumter centers listed below. 

Applications for enrollment will be accepted as follows : 

Volusia County 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or you may call for an appointment at the Volusia centers listed below. 

Please bring with you the following information to your application appointment: 

• Proof of child's age (such as Birth Certificate, immunization record)
• Proof of residency such as: Florida driver's license, utility bill, I.D., etc.;
• Proof of income for parent/guardian for the last 12 months or previous calendar year;
• If child has a disability: IEP, diagnosis etc.; and.
• Proof of custody (if applicable).

Para el momento de la aplicación se requieren los siguientes documentos:

• Certificado de Nacimiento del niño/a
• Prueba de su dirección. (puede servir un recibo de pago de algún servicio o su licencia de conducir si tiene su dirección actual);
• Prueba de entrada económica del padre/guardián del niño/a de los últimos 12 meses o del  año anterior;
• Si el niño/a es discapacitado: Diagnostico medico o plan de terapia; and,
• Prueba de custodia legal si se requiere.

Please Click Here to download the most recent Federal Poverty Guidelines Chart.

Para información en Español del programa de Head Start, favor de comunicarse a los siguientes teléfonos:

En el Condado de Sumter 

(352) 793-3737

En el Condado de Hernando
(352) 754-2464
 
 En el Condado de Volusia
(386) 736-1325, extension 230 
 
Early Childhood and Knowledge Center Florida KidCare

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