How to Apply

Pregnant people and families with children ages birth to five interested in enrolling their child in a high quality early education program may qualify for services with Head Start. Head Start promotes early math, language, and literacy learning as well as supports emotional, social and physical well-being to ensure children and families have the knowledge and skills to be successful in school and life. ​

Head Start offers the following programs in Merced County:

​​​​​Age Eligibility: 

• Head Start: Your child must turn 3 years old and must not turn 5 years old by September 1st
• Early Head Start: From birth and not yet 3 years old by September 1st or currently pregnant people
• Early Head Start Child Care Partnership, Early Learning & Family Services Network (AKA Family Child Care): From birth to 48 months

Acceptable proof of age documents include: birth certificate, Medi-cal card with name and birthdate, hospital certification. For additional items that meet this criteria, please contact your local Head Start program.

Income Eligibility:

• Income for the most recent 12 month period or last calendar year (Jan-Dec of the previous year). ​Prior year 1040 tax forms, prior year W2's for all employers, unemployment benefits, disability benefits etc.  
• Automatically eligible families include:
  • ​Income of 130% or less of the Federal Income Guidelines for Head Start
  • Current foster child (must provide foster care agreement or letter from assigned Social Worker indicating in foster care services)
  • Currently homeless as defined by McKinney-Vento​​ Homeless Assistance Act​
  • A member in the household is currently receiving Supplemental Security income (must provide SSI income letter)

  • Currently receiving CalFresh (SNAP) or CalWorks (TANF)

  • Housing Cost Calculation: Adjustments to a family’s gross income calculation for the purposes of determining eligibility to account for excessive housing costs. A program may use available bills, bank statements, and other relevant documentation provided by the family to calculate total annual housing costs with appropriate multipliers for housing costs in excess of 30%. The following utilities and bills can be used: rent, renters insurance, mortgage payment including interest, homeowners insurance, property tax, electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash.

These documents are submitted via the “online application” or the “interest card” above.

In order to complete your online application you must upload the following documents:

• ​Proof of income
• Proof of Age
• Applicant Child's Immunization Record (see list for preschool immunizations)
• Current IEP/IFSP, if applicable
• If applying for Full Day services attach a training/school verification or medical respite. Limited slots available for job seekers. If you are currently working, your employer will receive the employer verification directly from the Family Services staff member.

If you are unable to upload eligibility documents, please mail copies to:

MCOE, Head Start:

Attn: FSSM, Online Application
1840 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, CA 95341

OR Contact one of our centers directly by viewing our center locations​