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Early Childhood Education Programs

Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts Programs of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh

1-866-214-KIDS (5437)

Kindergarten Readiness
Begins at Birth

Head Start Blocks Logo Early Head Start Pre-K Counts 

 Early Childhood Education Programs 

 

 

 

 

 

DHS: Making an Impact - pdf.gif Allegheny County / Pittsburgh Early Childhood Education Programs (ECEP) - The first in a new series of DHS publications that focus not on budget figures or service data but on the impact our services are having on real people. 

pdf.gif Early Childhood Education program flyer 

pdf.gif Early Childhood Education program postcard 

Head Start on HumanServices.net

Head Start and Early Head Start provide qualifying children five years of age and younger with FREE comprehensive, flexible programming designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family.

Head Start

Head Start is a pre-school program supported by federal (through the US Department of Health and Human Services) and state funds (through the Pennsylvania Department of Education).  This comprehensive child-development program serves families with children three to five years of age residing in the Allegheny County/Pittsburgh area whose family income does not exceed 100 percent of the pdf.gif Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Head Start is a child-focused program that involves parents in the process to improve a child's readiness for kindergarten.  The program provides a range of individualized educational services in the areas of language development, math, science, and social skills. Early childhood development, behavioral health and nutrition awareness are also part of the program.

Early Head Start

Federally-funded, comprehensive program for pregnant women and families with children from birth to three years of age residing in the Allegheny County/Pittsburgh area whose family income does not exceed 100 percent of the pdf.gif Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Head Start and Early Head Start provide:

  • Quality education
  • Early Intervention services
  • Social service referrals
  • Parent education and involvement
  • Health and nutrition services
  • A network of supportive service for children with special needs, including Early Intervention services.
    Additionally Early Head Start provides:
  • Services to pregnant women and families in order to promote healthy prenatal out-comes, enhance the development of very young children and to promote healthy family functioning.

Opportunities for Early Head Start are limited and available only in specific areas.

Families may also qualify for Head Start/Early Head Start services regardless of income when:

  • Family receives or has received Public Assistance (TANF/DPW) benefits within the previous 12 months or the last calendar year.
  • Children are in Foster Care
  • Family is receiving SSI benefits
  • Family is homeless
  • A limited number of families over the pdf.gif Federal Poverty Guidelines may also be served.

Pre-K Counts

  • Pre-K Counts is a State-funded quality pre-school program for children between the ages of three and five years.
  • Child must be at least three years old before the date identified by the family's school district as the Kindergarten cut-off date.
  • Children are eligible for Pre-K services if  family income does not exceed 300 percent of the pdf.gif Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Pre-K Counts Eligibility Facts

Children are eligible for services regardless of income when:

  • Child is an English Language Learner (ELL)
  • Child has a disability or developmental delay
  • Child or family is at-risk

Individual Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts Programs

There are several individual Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts Programs available in Allegheny County including the City of Pittsburgh. Please use the following links below to find additional information.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Head Start, Pre-K Counts

Pittsburgh Public Schools
Head Start, Pre-K Counts

COTRAIC - Council of Three Rivers American Indians Centers
Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts

Family Foundations
Early Head Start

For Services, Call 1-866-214-KIDS (5437)

Allegheny County Department of Human Services funds the Allegheny County/ Allegheny Intermediate Unit Head Start Program and collaborates with additional Head Start programs throughout Allegheny County including the City of Pittsburgh.