Head Start was launched in 1964 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” This free, federally funded program helps preschool children of low-income parents and their families succeed, both now and later in life.

Child Care Associates has been active in Head Start since 1970. Today, we have 2,470 children enrolled in Head Start at 38 child development centers throughout Tarrant County. Most of our centers are open from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.

The value of Head Start has been proven many times. According to a recent study, children who attend Head Start do better than their peers when starting public school. Equally important, more than 98 percent of parents with children in our Head Start program reported they were satisfied with the program.

Our Head Start program focuses on child development and family support services with the overall aim of improving school readiness of young children. The program offers a wide range of individualized services in education, medical, dental, mental health, nutrition and social services for the children and their families.

Additional support is provided for children with special needs. In fact, 10 percent of the program enrollment is reserved for children with disabilities.

Literacy is a strong component of our Head Start program, and instruction is tailored to each child’s needs. Through collaborations with area ISDs, we now offer the Head Start program on selected elementary school campuses in the Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw and HEB ISD’s and at the Metro Academy for Math and Science in Arlington. In addition, our centers in White Settlement and Haltom City, as well as one center in Arlington, have certified ISD teachers.

There’s another integral component of Head Start -- parent involvement. Our parents have many opportunities to take part in education and literacy classes, activities at their child’s center, and program planning sessions.

To be eligible for Head Start, families must meet federal income guidelines. Children in foster care or under the Child Protective Services program are also eligible for Head Start. To see if you may be eligible for Head Start, click here, or if you prefer, call our Head Start office at (817) 838-8422.