Fact sheets on Head Start and Early Head Start participants, programs, families, and staff in 2006

CLASP has published a fact sheet reviewing the 2006 Program Information Report (PIR) data for all Head Start programs, including preschool, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and American Indian and Alaskan Native programs; as well as a fact sheet focusing specifically on PIR data for Early Head Start programs. In 2006, Head Start and Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. Most children received medical, dental, and disability screenings and follow-up services when necessary.

Highlights from the briefs include:

• In 2006, all Head Start programs served 1,080,627 young children and 10,825 pregnant women.
• In 2006, Early Head Start programs served 85,831 children under age 3 and 10,825 pregnant women.
• Increasingly, children in all Head Start programs are receiving health insurance through public programs, even though 70 percent of families included at least one working parent.
• Head Start teacher education levels continued to rise, while salaries decreased 2 percent from the previous year after inflation adjustment.
• Pregnant women in the Early Head Start program received prenatal and postnatal health care, dental care, and mental health care in 2006.
• Early Head Start families accessed services at high rates; 84 percent of families accessed at least one social service.