Enrollment

Yes, you should still apply! While we are considered an income based program, we are better described as a needs-based program. The enrollment team takes every family's situation into consideration. Income is not the only factor that goes into determining eligibility.

For enrollment, every child/prenatal will need an application and income documents. Immunizations and birth certificate can be provided at a later date.

Still apply! Head Start can verify income many different ways. If your family is experiencing homelessness, receiving TANF, has someone in the household on SSI, or are receiving SNAP benefits, staff can use these to verify with. If these do not apply to you, apply anyways and staff will work with you on the easiest way to document no income.

The Office of Head Start uses the McKinney Vento definition of homeless.

The term "homeless children and youths"--

(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and (B) includes--

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

Information is taken directly from the National Center for Homeless Education: https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento-definition/

No! Your child does not need to be potty trained to attend any of our program options (EHS and HS)! If that is a goal you are currently working on, or would like to work on, we are here to help. Our program provides all diapers, pull-ups, and wipes. If your child needs a specific type/brand, our team will work with your family to support your child.

For Early Head Start (ages 0-3): Yes, our program requires children to be immunized to be enrolled in our center-based licensed classrooms. Children also need to stay up-to-date on the Montana Vaccine Requirements for Childcare Attendance.

Effective July 1st, 2025, RHS Inc. will accept religious exemptions for vaccinations as required by Montana State licensing regulations for licensed child care centers in Montana. A notarized Affidavit of Exemption on Religious Grounds, Form HES 113 from the Montana DPHHS, will be required prior to the child's enrollment.

For Head Start (ages 3-5): No, immunizations are not required for your child to be enrolled. Our health team will ask for your child's immunizations for our health records, but no immunizations are required for enrollment.

Unfortunately, no we do not accept children over three years of age in Missoula. Missoula Early Head Start is a program for children 0-3 years old. If you have a child over three years old and you are residing within Missoula County, we recommend you contact Child Start for the Head Start in Missoula. You can also contact Child Care Resources, as they are very helpful at finding childcare.