Skip to main content

Enrollment in Head Start Programs Now Easier for Families

Posted by Mary Kay Gominger, Public Affairs Director, Western Regional Office of Food and Nutrition Service in Equity Food and Nutrition Nutrition Security
Jul 15, 2022
FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean (left) with ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras (middle) and ACF Office of Head Start Director Dr. Bernadine Futrell (right) at Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Head Start in Downey, California

On May 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families and USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services partnered to celebrate a step forward in streamlining access to crucial government programs.

ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras and FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean participated in a family enrollment fair for SNAP and Head Start, an early childhood care and education program. This duel enrollment event, held in Los Angeles, California, highlighted the joint announcement. This dual enrollment event highlighted the joint announcement of a new policy that makes it easier for families who are eligible for SNAP to enroll in Head Start programs.

FNCS and ACF programs share similar goals in promoting good health and nutrition for families. Both agencies have programs that provide young children and families with nutritious foods, health and nutrition education, and assistance in accessing on-going preventive health care. This new collaborative action may help minimize duplicative efforts for families and staff, create more opportunities for FNCS and ACF to work more efficiently; and ultimately, provide new ways to increase nutrition security for children and families.

Learn more about SNAP Eligibility for Head Start Services.

California Department of Social Services Director Kim Johnson (left) and FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean (right) read to 3-5 year old children enrolled in the Los Angeles County Head Start Program