Health and Disabilities
Head Start recognizes that every child must be healthy & well nourished to learn and grow to his or her full potential. Preventive health services are central to Head Start's comprehensive array of services.

Early in their enrollment, families work with Head Start staff to ensure they have an ongoing accessible source of health care - a "medical home." Community partners help in this process. Head Start assists the family in making use of all available health resources & insurance. A health assessment and early identification of health-related needs ensure each child receives medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional care, including:
  • immunizations
  • timely screenings for basic health, speech/language, hearing & vision
  • dental exams
Every day in Head Start, children brush their teeth and receive nutritious meals and snacks. Referrals and follow up care are provided, when indicated. Head Start also offers a health education program for children and parents. It includes, among many issues, education on healthy, safe practices and habits, and nutritional issues such as how to select & prepare healthy meals and budget for health.

The Head Start health program also focuses on staff, providing training and addressing issues of health, wellness, safety, & mental health.

Research tells us that the presence of children with disabilities in early childhood classrooms has a positive impact on the developmental progress of all children. Recognizing that, Head Start has been providing inclusive services for children with disabilities for more than 25 years. At least 10% of Head Start enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities.

Children with disabilities are specifically recruited for Head Start enrollment. Some children are identified after enrollment, through the screening & assessment process. Referrals are made, and Head Start programs work with both their local education agencies (LEA's) and their early intervention agencies to provide the best possible services, least restrictive and most natural environments.