History and Overview of Head Start

Head Start was created in 1965 following a 1964 federal request for a program to support disadvantaged preschool children. Originally an eight-week summer initiative under the Office of Economic Opportunity, it aimed to break the cycle of poverty by providing comprehensive services addressing the physical, cognitive, and social needs of children ages three to school entry.

Since its inception, Head Start has served over 40 million children and families nationwide, including urban, rural, American Indian, and migrant communities. In 1969, the program moved to the Office of Child Development within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services).

Head Start is administered locally by about 1,600 community-based nonprofit organizations and school systems. Federal grants cover up to 80% of program costs, with communities providing the remaining 20% through cash or in-kind contributions. Programs are tailored to local needs, offering classroom-based or home-based developmental approaches to optimize outcomes for children within available funding.

Heartland Head Start, founded in 1965 in Bloomington, Illinois, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive early childhood education and family support to income eligible families in McLean and Livingston Counties. Originally serving just 60 children, the program has grown to support 224 children and their families, offering services from prenatal care through age five. As part of the national Head Start initiative, Heartland Head Start’s mission is to foster school readiness through quality education, health services, and parent engagement. Over the past six decades, the organization has expanded its reach and impact, helping generations of children and families prepare for success in school and beyond. Funded through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with a 20% local match in funding, services, or materials, Heartland Head Start continues to provide essential services, including early education, health screenings, and family support programs, remaining a vital resource for Central Illinois communities.