Head Start

About Head Start

Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child through comprehensive services such as health, nutrition, and parent involvement. Head Start was established in 1965, initially as summer program and one of the first programs was in Alaska. In 1981, Congress passed the Head Start Act, which expanded this program. The program was revised and reauthorized in December 2007

Head Start Program State Grants

There are 17 Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving families and children 0-5 years old in classroom and home-based settings across Alaska. DEED provides funding to those programs through an equitable funding formula. 

The programs receiving these funds include:

Resources

•  Find a Head Start Program

•  List of Head Starts and the School Districts They Operate In

Alaska Head Start Collaboration Office

DEED houses the Alaska Head Start Collaboration Office which is funded by a 5-year non-competitive federal grant The Head Start Collaboration Office facilitates partnerships between Head Start agencies and other entities in the state that provide services to children from low-income families 

Explore the Site

Early Learning Home

Alaska Reads Act

Early Learning FAQ's

Early Learning Resources

Early Learning Screening and Assessment

Family Resources

Head Start

Legislative Funding

Pre-Elementary Approval

Program Funding Options