Head Start

Supporting early learning and development from birth to age five.

Comprehensive programs for childhood health, education, and parental involvement throughout Marion and Polk counties.

Head Start Policy Council Meeting Updates

Policy Council Meetings

Community Action Head Start is holding Policy Council Meetings at the agency’s main office (2475 Center St. NE Salem, OR 97301) from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the 15th of each month.

Meeting agendas will be posted under “Reports” at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date.

Head Start and Early Head Start Career Pathways

EHS HS Pathway flyer 4 2021 thumbDo you dream of a being a teacher, but don’t have the education or experience? Check out our career pathways and tuition assistance options!

Read our informational flyer

Starting Strong

Head Start

Head Start is a free preschool and early childhood development service for low-income families and their children, aged 3-5. Our program includes early learning, nutrition, mental health disability support, and family services — with the ultimate goal of strengthening child-parent relationships and building a strong foundation before kindergarten.

Click here to Contact Us or call: (503) 581-1152 or fax: (503) 581-3012

Early Head Start

Our Early Head Start program aids children from birth to 3 years old, with services tailored to their unique physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs. We’re also happy to offer a limited number of Home-Based slots, which feature one in-home visit a month alongside other opportunities to meet families and participate in center-based group activities. Several of our slots are located in the Woodburn and Santiam Canyon area, ensuring families in rural regions have access to these vital resources.

Child Care Partnership

Our newest program, the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership, provides full-time care and Early Head Start services to working families throughout Marion and Polk counties in partnership with established child care providers. In addition, our Teen Parent Programs serve young parents and their children in Salem, Keizer, and Independence.

To qualify, parents must be working a minimum of 25 hours a week during normal daycare hours, and teenage parents must be enrolled in high school. Families receive all the same services as our traditional center-based Early Head Start program, including home visits, conferences, wellness support, family services, and goal setting. As with Head Start and Early Head Start, this program is 100% free and all supplies are provided.

Available in Marion and Polk counties

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American...

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

“I have sent three of my kids to preschool through Head Start. Starting school early is more important than anything else.”