10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 5, § 1.6

Current through 2024-46, November 13, 2024

Section 144-5-1.6 - Eligibility Requirements and Limitations for Enrollment in Head Start

A. Age Eligibility of Children

Unless the Head Start agency's approved grant provides otherwise, only those children between three years of age and the age of compulsory school attendance are eligible to enroll and participate in the Head Start program.

B. Family Income Eligibility

At least 90 percent of the children who are enrolled in each Head Start program shall be from low-income families. No more than 10 percent of the children who are enrolled in each Head Start program shall be from families whose total annual income, before taxes, is more than the income guidelines but equal to or less than 150 percent of the income guidelines. If applications for admission to a Head Start program are received for more children from low-income families than the Head Start program can accommodate, the children from the lowest income families shall be given preference within the geographic area to be served.

C. Handicapped Children

After July 1, 1985 no less than 10 percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities in Head Start programs In each State shall be available for handicapped children who are eligible to participate under VI.A.

D. Enrollment and Re-enrollment

a An application for enrollment of children in a Head Start program may be made at any time during the program year. The Head Start agency must make an eligibility determination prior to permitting a child to participate in the Head Start program.

b If a child has been found eligible and is participating In a Head Start Program, he or she remains eligible through the enrollment year with respect to which such eligibility determination was made and the Immediately succeeding enrollment year.

E. Income Verification

a The family income shall be verified by a Head Start agency before determining that a child Is eligible to participate In the program

b Verification shall Include examination of any of the following: Individual Income Tax Form 1040, W-2 forms, pay stubs, pay envelopes, written statements from employers, or documentation showing current status and recipients of AFDC.

c A signed statement by an employee of the Head Start agency, ,identifying which of these documents was examined and stating that the child is eligible to participate in the program. shall be maintained to Indicate that verification has been made.

F. Fees Policy

A Head Start agency shall not prescribe any fee schedule or otherwise provide for the charging of any fees for participation In the program. If the family of a child determined to be eligible for participation by a Head Start program volunteers to pay part or all of the costs of the child's participation, the Head Start agency may accept the voluntary payments. Under no circumstances shall a Head Start agency solicit, encourage, or in any other way condition a child's enrollment or participation in the program upon the payment of a fee.

10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 5, § 1.6