What is Migrant & Seasonal Head Start?

It is an Early Childhood Education Program for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker children and their families dedicated to promoting the success of their children in school and later in life. We offer a comprehensive service program for children and families that include: Early Childhood Education, Nutrition, and Health & Wellness.

Who Qualifies for the services?

Children birth – five years of age, who have not attended kindergarten
Family income meets Federal Low-Income Guidelines
The family’s primary income comes from agricultural work as defined by Head Start Performance Standard
Enrollment priority may be extended to children of Migrant Families
Priority consideration is available for families of children with disabilities

All persons living in the household who are:

Supported by the income of the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the participating child
Related to the parent(s) or guardian(s) by blood, marriage, or adoption
The legal guardian, defined as a person “legally responsible for the child”

What is considered income?

Cash income includes earned income, military income, veteran’s benefits, social security benefits, unemployment compensation, and public assistance benefits

What is Agricultural Activities?

Activities related to the production and harvesting of tree and field crops or support crop production such as irrigation, crop protection, and operation of farm machinery
Production and harvesting of tree and field crops, including preparing the soil, planting, cultivation, picking, packing, canning, and processing as well as production and harvesting of greenhouse and nursery products

What is the difference between Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker families?

A Migrant Farmworker family is a family that has changed their residency in the past two years for the purpose of working in agricultural activities
Seasonal Farmworker family is a family who has maintained residency, but that their primary income comes from work related to agriculture

What do I need to bring to have my child eligible for the program?

Current and past rent and/or utility bills in the family name
Any legal documentation showing the family’s residence for the past two years
Your child’s current immunization records
Proof of income for the past twelve months or past year, such as – W-2 Forms – Pay Stubs– Verifiable written statements from employers – Current Public Assistance Verification – Unearned income forms, such as Child Support, SSI, Unemployment, Military Income, or Veteran’s Benefits

Community Council of Idaho