Child Care Resources Series: Head Start

2. Head Start

What is it?

• provides medical care, dental care, and healthy meals to children between the ages of 3 and 5*
• provides comprehensive supportive services to their families
• prepares young children for school both socially and academically

Do I qualify?

• Children of households already receiving TANF or SSI, or those in foster care, are eligible automatically
• Otherwise, families are deemed eligible based on income:

• Does your child have special needs? 10% of Head Start spots are reserved for children with special needs.
  

How do I apply?

• Call your local Head Start program; Use this map to locate your county Head Start program, or find it in the county Help Chart
• Or call the Head Start Toll Free information number: 1-866-763-6481

*Early Head Start provides these services for children between the ages of 0 and 2, as well as pregnant women. Early Head Start programs can be reached through regular Head Start locations.

Food Resources Series: Child and Adult Care Food Program

5. Child and Adult Care Food Program


What is it?

• provides free or low cost meals and snacks outside of school- in child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters, as well as day care centers for adults over the age of 60

Do I qualify?

• for children under the age of 12, or with special needs up to age 18, who are already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Head Start, Even Start of living in an emergency shelter
  
• for adults over the age of 60 who are cared for in adult day care centers and receive Medicaid, Social Security Income, or SNAP
• if neither, you may qualify for free meals if you earn up to 130% of the poverty level; for reduced price meals if you earn up to 185% of the poverty level*

*see NSLP chart


How do I apply?

• through the care center in which your child or adult relative is enrolled- call and ask!
  

Food Resources Series: School Breakfast Program

4. School Breakfast Program

What is it?

• provides free or low-cost breakfasts to school children
• served before classes each morning
  
• meets federal nutrition guidelines for healthy meals to support learning
  

Do I qualify?*
How do I apply?*

*same guidelines and application process as NSLP

Food Resources Series: National School Lunch Program

3. National School Lunch Program

What is it?

• provides free or low-cost nutritious lunches to school children in an effort to encourage learning in school
• children can receive these lunches in school, as well as snacks during after-school programs, until age 18
  

Do I qualify?

• If your family receives SNAP benefits or TANF already, you automatically qualify for NSLP!
  
• If your income is at or below 130% of the poverty level, your children qualify for free school lunches
• If your income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty level, your children qualify for reduced-price school lunches:
  

Effective through June 30, 2011 

How do I apply?

• Apply on COMPASS
  
• Ask your child's school for an application and information
  

Food Resources Series: WIC

2. WIC: the supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children

What is it?

• provides food and nutrition information to pregnant women or mothers with young children to support healthy children and families, including foster mothers

Do I qualify?

• you must reside in Pennsylvania
• you must be pregnant or have a child less than 5 years old
  
• eligibility is also based on income:

Effective July 1, 2010

How do I apply?

• Find your local WIC office by county here or use the County Help Chart!