Serving the Families of Oregon’s Youngest and Most Vulnerable Children

The Oregon Head Start, Prekindergarten, and Early Head Start programs serve the families of young children who face significant risk factors affecting school success. Enrollment priority goes to children most in need, including:

• Children living in poverty (100% of Federal Poverty Level);
• Children with disabilities or serious health/mental health concerns; and
• Children from families affected by mental health issues, child abuse or neglect, incarceration, parent illness/disability, domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness, foster care or other serious concerns.
• Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now eligible for Head Start programs.

Vision

Oregon Head Start Association works to create a world where Head Start staff receive equitable wages; where parents are involved in their children's education; where Head Start is a role model of what community can be; and where every eligible child has access to the life-changing opportunity to attend Head Start.