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Enrollment

 We are always accepting applications 

Eligibility

We are an income based program that follows the federal poverty guidelines. That being said, we also have limited slots for families in the "over-income" category.

 

We take much more than just income into consideration when processing applications.

 

Some other factors that we consider include: 

  • Age of the child

  • Social services received (WIC, SNAP, Healthy MT Kids Plus, CFS, etc.)

  • Homelessness

  • Foster Care

  • Parent's age and  education level

  • Disability/Health/Mental Health

  • Single/Two parent household

Enrollment

If you are interested in filling out an application you can reach out to the office in your county.

 

You can also download a PDF application from our website, or submit the fillable application. 

Please reach out for more information, click here to be redirected to our contact information

Happy Girl

Federal Poverty Guidelines

(As of 1/1/2024)

Number in Family          Yearly Income

2                                     $20, 440

 3                                     $25, 820

4                                     $31, 200

5                                     $36, 580

6                                     $41, 960

7                                     $47, 340

8                                     $52, 720

For families/households with more than 8 persons,

add $5, 380 for each additional person.

Toddler Playing Drums

Housing Costs

Is your family currently paying more than 30% of your annual gross income on housing costs?

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If so, please provide staff with documents (see right) to adjust for eligibility.

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Staff can calculate housing costs with available bills, bank statements, and other relevant documents. Staff only need to see 1 month's set of bills for calculation.

Statistic calculating

Documents 

  • Rental agreement

  • Mortgage statement

  • Renter's insurance

  • Homeowner's insurance

  • Interest paid on the house

  • Taxes paid on the house

  • Utilities:

    • Electricity bills​

    • Gas bills

    • Water bills

    • Sewage bills

    • Trash bills

Kid Getting Vaccinated

Health Requirements

For Early Head Start (ages 0-3):

Immunizations are required for your Infant or Toddler to be enrolled in our licensed center-based classrooms. All infants and toddlers need to stay current on the Montana Vaccine Requirements for Child Care Attendance.

RHS Inc. is not accepting religious exemptions for immunizations.

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Children under the age of 24 months are also required to have a Pediatric Health Statement filled out by a doctor to ensure your child is healthy to attend in a classroom.

For Head Start (ages 3-5):

Immunizations are not required for preschool children to get enrolled. Enrollment staff and health staff will ask for your child's immunization record to verify their birthdate and review their health status.

Doctor with Infant

FAQ

  • Should I still apply if I am over income?
    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.
  • What documents do I need to apply with?
    For enrollment, every child/prenatal will need an application and income documents. Immunizations and birth certificate can be provided at a later date.
  • What if I do not work and do not have income documents?
    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.
  • What is Head Start's definition of "homeless?"
    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/
  • Does my child need to be potty trained to attend?
    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.
  • Are immunizations required for my child to attend?
    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. Our program is not taking religious exemptions for immunizations. 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.
  • Does the Missoula location accept children over three years old?
    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.
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