Head Start, launched in 1964, was designed to help break the cycle of poverty facing preschool children in low-income families. Today, Head Start is a comprehensive child development program available to income- eligible families at no cost. 

Community Action Head start provides home-based, center-based, and family child care experiences for children. As a combined Early Head Start and Head Start program, services are available for prenatal women, infants and children through kindergarten age. In Kansas, children are eligible for kindergarten the year they become five years old, on or before August 31. 

Early Head Start services; for prenatal women and children through age 3, on or before August 31; are available through Community Action program for families throughout Shawnee County. Head Start services; for preschool children ages 3 or 4, on or before August 31; are available through Community Action program for families in the eastern portion of USD 501 Topeka Public Schools and the Shawnee County portions of USD 437 Auburn-Washburn School District, USD 345 Seaman School District, and USD 450 Shawnee Heights School District.

At the time of application, residency will be verified with a valid lease, mortgage statement or utility statement. A state-certified birth certificate is required as verification of age. Children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are eligible for Early Head Start and Head Start services regardless of family income. Foster children are also Early Head Start- and Head Start-eligible regardless of their foster family's income. For families with other income sources, a full year's proof of in-come is required for review at the time of application. Application opportunities are reserved for families making no more than 130% of the annually published Program Income Guidelines. Automatic income eligibility does not guarantee enrollment.