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Early Head Start

Help for Low-Income Pregnant People and Children (age birth to five)

Head Start (for children 3-5) and Early Head Start (pregnant people and children 0-3) has a variety of program and service delivery options including Center Base, Home-Base, Combination (Home & Center) or Family Child Care. Each program incorporates an individualized approach to high-quality services for low-income pregnant people and children age birth to five. Families receive support and guidance from Head Start staff to become self-sufficient.

We understand how challenging it can be to be a parent. Early Head Start is a free parenting program that helps low-income parents and their children with home visits, education, and health screenings. Early Head Start can also help children who are in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and children with a disability. We offer resources for pregnant people and help for new parents.

Benefits of Early Head Start:

  • home visits
  • child development education
  • health screening and follow-up care
  • parenting guidance and education
  • services for special needs children

Eligibility requirements of Early Head Start:

  • Children between the ages of 0-5 of families that meet the federal poverty guidelines and pregnant people who meet the federal poverty guidelines
  • Children who are foster children
  • Children who are homeless
  • Children who are disabled (have IFSP or IEP)*

Arizona Health Start

Personalized Care for Pregnant People and New Mothers

If you are expecting or a parent facing challenges, it’s important to know that someone can help you. Arizona Health Start is here to help. Our home visitors can connect you with a variety of community organizations that provide health care, education, parenting resources, and application assistance for other programs. We will get to know you and your family, so we can help you get the resources you need. We understand your culture, because we live in your community. We also understand what you’re going through, because we’ve helped families just like yours.

If you are expecting or have a child under the age of 2 and are interested in having additional support in accessing health care, education, or assistance programs, Arizona Health Start can help. The program is available throughout the state and is free for participants. Expecting parents and families with children enrolled in the program receive additional support such as navigating access to prenatal care; family medical care; and assistance in applying for AHCCCS, WIC and other programs that help you and your family thrive.

Benefits of Arizona Health Start:

  • You’ll gain access to appropriate prenatal care for pregnant people.
  • We provide access to appropriate family medical care.
  • We’ll give application assistance for AHCCCS, WIC and other programs.
  • Women will receive a health screening.
  • We provide developmental screenings for children ages birth to age two.

Eligibility Requirements of Arizona Health Start:

  • Must have primary residence located within the Contractor’s Program Site targeted service area.
  • Pregnant and/or postpartum women with children under the age of 2.
  • And one or more social risk factors.