New Eligibility Provisions for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs
Log Number: ACF-OHS-PI-24-04 | Issuance Date: 05/13/2024
ERSEA
Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) tasks are some of the most important work performed by Head Start programs. ERSEA governs how programs determine eligibility, enroll children, and track attendance. Discover resources to help programs assess the needs of their communities and recruit the children and families most in need. Explore materials and tools to help programs market their services, and develop and implement selection criteria. Also, find resources to identify community partners and better address community needs.
New Eligibility Provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native Programs
Log Number: ACF-OHS-PI-24-03 | Issuance Date: 05/13/2024
Letter from the Director to MSHS Leaders
Read Director Garvin’s letter on the changes to Head Start eligibility criteria for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs.
Letter from the Director on the Changes to Eligibility Criteria for Regions XI and XII
On March 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers.
New Head Start Eligibility for Children in Tribal and Agricultural Programs
This page includes informational resources about the additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers.
Eligibility Reference Sheet
Use these reference charts to identify the types of documents that can be used to verify Head Start eligibility.
ERSEA Institute 2022
Watch these professional development sessions for Head Start staff. They are designed to support eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) priorities in a changing landscape.
ERSEA Services from a Systems Lens
Systems are the backbone to offering quality ERSEA services. This video explores the elements of ERSEA and shows how they intersect with the Head Start management systems.
ERSEA: Moving Beyond Implementation
This video explores the new ERSEA Assessment Tool and strategies to support ERSEA services.
ERSEA Insights
This resource outlines strategies and guiding questions to help programs build and maintain responsive ERSEA systems.