Services

A child who has a cognitive, sensory, speech, emotional or orthopedic disability may qualify for services in the program that targets low income families.

At least 10% of the total number of enrollment opportunities in a Head Start program must be made available to eligible children with disabilities. Children with disabilities enrolled in Head Start programs receive the full range of child development services required for all children. These include education, parent involvement, social services, and nutrition and health services (medical, dental and mental health). In addition to the full range of services provided to all children, special services, including equipment, materials or modifications of existing facilities, may be available for disabled children enrolled in the program. These types of support services may be provided through Head Start, through outside agencies, or through a combination of both. Head Start programs use non-Head Start resources whenever possible.

To ensure appropriate special services and optimal transition by disabled Head Start children into public schools, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each child 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. The IEP spells out classroom activities, involvement of parents and special services provided by Head Start or other agencies. The plan is developed in conjunction with the diagnostic team, the parents and the child's teacher.

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