By Dr. Bernadine Futrell
I am writing to share some good news! The Office of Head Start (OHS) is including receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the interpretation of “public assistance” when determining Head Start eligibility. Today, we issued ACF-IM-OHS-22-03, which outlines the inclusion of SNAP benefits for Head Start eligibility determinations. This policy change, effective immediately, allows Head Start programs to reach families better, minimize the burden on families seeking public assistance, and coordinate benefit programs so that families eligible for one program can more easily participate in other services for which they qualify.
Adding SNAP is essential in addressing any barriers to equitable access to Head Start services for children and families. It also supports the goals of President Biden's Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government.
OHS expects this guidance to reduce the unnecessary administrative burden for programs and families. For example, most young children in SNAP households are already income-eligible for Head Start services. Before this decision by OHS, families had to document their income eligibility for both SNAP and Head Start programs, which created a lot of back and forth for families and Head Start grant recipients.
This policy decision amplifies the Head Start mission of serving those who can most benefit from services, especially as you are actively recruiting and enrolling families for the 2022-23 program year. I am thankful that the Head Start community always looks to understand community needs first when implementing any strategic shifts and systemic approaches to eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance.
OHS is providing a resource collection to support you in implementing this change, including responses to anticipated questions and an updated Eligibility Verification form.
Thank you, Head Start — the forever family! I am very proud of this step we are taking to get more children and families equitable access to the Head Start program — it’s our heart work!
Dr. Bernadine Futrell is the Director of the Office of Head Start.