SUBJECT: Eligibility: age of child, family income, and immunization status.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE: Eligibility for Head Start is partially based on a child’s age and the family’s income, guidelines that ensure the program meets its goals to provide education services to young children from low-income families. All children entering Head Start must have complete immunizations.

1. During the application process, the Family Service Manager or a designee will screen all applications to verify that each child enrolling will be at least 3 years old by December 2^nd. December 2^nd is the eligibility date for public schools in Amador and Tuolumne counties.

1. In accordance with federal guidelines for age requirements, families enrolling in Head Start must present a birth certificate or other official document to verify each child’s age.
2. If a non-English proficient family calls or walks in, then the appropriate language interpreter will be called immediately.  If the interpreter is not available, then the name and phone number of the family will be recorded on the Family Contact form and placed in the appropriate interpreter's mail box.  The staff member accepting the application will immediately notify the interpreter.  The interpreter will contact the family within 5 days.
3. Families that walk into the office or centers will be assisted by the staff to complete the application on site.  If a family calls the center or Home Base the Family Advocate or Home Visitor will make an appointment to complete the application.  The "Consent to Exchange Confidential Information" form will be included if needed to help the family obtain needed documentation.  If the family can not come to the site, the staff member will make a family visit to complete the application.
4. If the application does not include the required documentation of eligibility, the Family Service Manager or designee will contact the family within 3 days to offer assistance in obtaining the documentation required.
5. When the completed application is received, the family will be notified within 10 days by mail or phone call of their eligibility status.
6. All phone calls received at the office, center or home base will be documented on the Family Contact form.  All contact forms will be sent to the office in the monthly report folder.
7. The Family Advocate or Home Visitor will set up the enrollment appointment with the parent/guardian and complete the enrollment process.
8. The Family Advocate, Home Visitor or staff member will discuss with the family options available to them.
9. If a family calls to inquire about their application or enrollment status, then the staff member will contact the Service Area Assistant to learn the status of the application and call the parent with the information.
10. The Child Selection Criteria sets age enrollment priorities for eligible children for each center and home base program.
11. When the application is determined to meet the eligibility requirements the approved application will be entered into the tracking system to determine the priority status and be placed on the wait list.
12. The Family Advocate or Home Visitor will notify the office when they have an opening.
13. The Family Services Manager or designee will keep all approved applications in the office until an opening occurs. When an opening occurs, the Family Services Manager or designee will distribute the approved application to the center or home base with the opening.
14. The Family Advocate will prepare a "New Enrollment" form for the teacher to announce that a new child will be entering the class.
15. The Family Advocate or Home Visitor will discuss with the family options available to them.
16. The Family Advocate will give the teacher a written notice of all children entering the program.

2. During the application process, the Family Service manager or designee will screen all applications to verify the income eligibility of each family according to federal and state government guidelines.

1. 90% of the children enrolled in ATCAA Head Start are from low-income families.
2. Up to 10% of the children enrolled may be from families that exceed the low-income guidelines but who meet criteria approved by the Parent Policy Council.

1. The Parent Policy Council reviews and approves selection criteria annually.
2. ATCAA Head Start will maintain 10% of its enrollment opportunities for children with disabilities.
3. All applications that indicate special need will be forwarded to the Education/Disabilities Service Manager for enrollment priority.

3. During the enrollment process, the Family Service Area Assistant or Designee will complete a "Certification of Eligibility" form.

1. "Family" is defined as all persons living in the same household who:

• are supported by income of the parents or guardians
• are related to the parents or guardians by blood, marriage, or adoption.

2. Verification of income includes examination of the any of the following:

• Individual Income Tax Form 1040
• W-2 forms
• Pay stubs
• Child support letters
• Written statements from employers
• Documentation of current status as recipients of public assistance such as TANF, CALWorks or Social Security

3. If none of the above is available, ATCAA Early Childhood Services will accept self-verification such as a written statement from the family with signature and date.

3. During the application process, the Health Service Manager or designee screens all applications to verify that enrolling children have current immunization records. The state Community Care Licensing board sets requirements for immunization of children.

1. If the immunizations are not complete, the Health Service Manager or designee will contact the family to offer assistance in obtaining them. (See attached Incomplete Application form for Tuolumne or Amador counties.)

4. The Family Service Manager  or designee will prioritize all completed applications according to the A-TCAA Head Start Child, General Child Care, and/or State Preschool Selection Criteria. (Refer to CFR #1305.6 Selection Process.)