Head Start is a free, quality preschool program for three and four-year-old children. This program helps children get ready for kindergarten by teaching them pre-reading and writing skills as well as how to get along with other children. Classrooms are run by highly trained and credentialed teachers and each day includes healthy meals and snacks. Families must meet income criteria in order to be eligible, although all families are encouraged to apply. Centers are located throughout the Downriver community with full-day, part-day, and home-based sessions.

The agency has locations serving 21 Downriver communities:

Belleville, 734-785-7708

Lincoln Park, 313-381-0976

River Rouge, 313-928-6200

Romulus, 734-785-7792

Southgate, 734-785-7713

Taylor; Fischer Site, 734-785-7720

Taylor; Johnson Early Childhood Center, 734-785-7724

Head Start now is accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year. Children who are three years old by September 1, 2022 may be enrolled. Full-day and part-day options are available at selected sites.

For more information contact Head Start at 734-785-7702.

Special focus on children with disabilities:

• We fully include children with disabilities; our Head Start is an inclusive program.
• We accept children from Early-On, TOTE and other early intervention programs.
• We allow children to be dually enrolled in Head Start and other special education preschool programs.
• We coordinate special education services for children with the local school districts.
• We work with the child’s Individual Family Service Plan (ISFP) goals.
• We write an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) based on a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals.

Head Start is funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services through the Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Family Services Division.