When more families apply for the BROC Head Start Program's services, than center slots can accommodate, priority for the children's enrollment slots are based on a point system from the answers provided within the application process. Enrollment requirements for Head Start services are based on the child's age (3-5 years old), family's annual income, whether the family or child qualifies as homeless, whether the child is currently in foster or kinship care, and/or whether or not the family receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The BROC Head Start Family Services staff assists Parents and/or Legal Guardians to complete all required enrollment forms to apply for services. All information obtained from families is kept confidential and maintained in locked file cabinets; in addition, the child/family computer files are password protected. Head Start services are provided at no cost to the families.

FAMILY INCOME ELIGIBILITY

Under-Income Guidelines Slots: At least 55% of the funded enrollment for BROC Head Start must be children from "low-income families". These family’s total annual income before taxes is less than or equal to the most current Poverty Income Guidelines. This also includes families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The family income may be for the past 12 months preceding the month in which the application is made or for the full previous calendar year, whichever most accurately reflects the family's current needs.

Over-Income Guidelines Slots: 1) A maximum of 35% of the funded enrollment may be considered for children from families with annual incomes between 100% and below 130% of the most current Poverty Income Guidelines. 2) No more than 10% of the funded enrollment may be considered for children from families with annual incomes 130% and above the most current Poverty Income Guidelines.

When applications are received on more children meeting the income eligibility than the program can accommodate, the children receiving the most points according to the "Children's Eligibility & Selection Criteria's Weight Scale Score Sheet" will be given first preference. Priorities for enrollment will include children from the following categories: foster care / kinship care placement and/or homeless, according to the most current definition of "homeless children and youth" in Section 725 (2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Other high priority situations include families receiving Public Assistance (SNAP or TANF), children with diagnosed disabilities, and families with the lowest incomes.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

At least 10% of the total number of children enrolled in the BROC Head Start Program must be children with diagnosed disabilities. The term "child with a disability" means a child-with intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities; and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services. Children 35, may, at the discretion of the State and the local education agency, include a child experiencing developmental delays, as defined by the State and as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures, in I or more of the following areas: physical development; cognitive development; communication development; social or emotional development; or adaptive development; and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services, If Head Start is not an appropriate placement according to the child's individualized education program (I.E.P,), referrals are made to the most appropriate childcare facility.