---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9840a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9840a"
heading: "Early Head Start programs"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9840a"
units:
  - "Chapter 105 — Community Services Programs"
  - "Subchapter II — Head Start Programs"
---

# §9840a. Early Head Start programs

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall make grants to entities (referred to in this subchapter as “Early Head Start agencies”) in accordance with this section for [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) (referred to in this subchapter as “Early Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4)”) providing [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2)-centered services for [low-income families](/usc/42/300a–4.md?p=c) with very young [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) designed to promote the development of the [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2), and to enable their [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) to fulfill their roles as [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) and to move toward self-sufficiency.
- (b) **Scope and design of programs—** In carrying out a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) described in [subsection (a)](#a), an entity receiving assistance under this section shall—
  - (1) provide, either directly or through referral, early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) development and [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2) support services that will enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of participating [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2);
  - (2) ensure that the level of services provided to [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) responds to their needs and circumstances;
  - (3) promote positive [parent](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3)-[child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) interactions;
  - (4) provide services to [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) to support their role as [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) (including parenting skills [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) in basic [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) development) and services to help the [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) move toward self-sufficiency (including educational and employment services, as appropriate);
  - (5) coordinate services with services provided by [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in the [State](/usc/42/9832.md?p=25) (including home-based services) and [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in the community (including [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for infants and toddlers with disabilities and [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for homeless infants and toddlers) to ensure a comprehensive array of services (such as [health](/usc/42/9852c.md?p=c) and mental [health](/usc/42/9852c.md?p=c) services and [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2) support services);
  - (6) ensure that [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) with documented behavioral problems, including problems involving behavior related to prior or existing trauma, receive appropriate screening and referral;
  - (7) ensure formal linkages with local Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in order to provide for continuity of services for [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) and [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11);
  - (8) develop and implement a systematic procedure for transitioning [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) and [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) from an Early Head Start [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to a Head Start [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or other local early childhood education and development [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
  - (9) establish channels of communication between staff of the Early Head Start [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), and staff of a Head Start [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or other local providers of early childhood education and development [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), to facilitate the coordination of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
  - (10) in the case of a Head Start agency that operates a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and that also provides Head Start services through the age of mandatory [school](/usc/42/6372.md?p=1) attendance, ensure that [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) and [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) participating in the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) receive such services through such age;
  - (11) ensure formal linkages with providers of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ([20 U.S.C. 1400](/usc/20/1400.md) et seq.), with the [State](/usc/42/9832.md?p=25) interagency coordinating [council](/usc/42/300f.md?p=9), as established in part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ([20 U.S.C. 1431](/usc/20/1431.md) et seq.), and with the agency responsible for administering [section 5106a of this title](/usc/42/5106a.md);
  - (12) meet such other requirements concerning design and operation of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) described in [subsection (a)](#a) as the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may establish.
- (c) **Persons eligible to participate—** [Persons](/usc/42/1320a–7k.md?p=d-4-C-i) who may participate in [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) described in [subsection (a)](#a) include—
  - (1) pregnant women; and
  - (2) [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) with [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) under age 3;

  who meet the eligibility criteria specified in [section 9840(a)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9840.md?p=a-1), including the criteria specified in [section 9840(a)(1)(B)(ii) of this title](/usc/42/9840.md?p=a-1-B-ii).

- (d) **Eligible service providers—** To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, an entity shall submit an application to the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may require. Entities that may apply to carry out activities under this section include—
  - (1) entities operating Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this subchapter;
  - (2) entities operating [Indian](/usc/42/6862.md?p=6) Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or [migrant or seasonal Head Start programs](/usc/42/9832.md?p=17); and
  - (3) other public entities, and nonprofit or for-profit [private entities](/usc/42/12181.md?p=6), including community-based and faith-based organizations, capable of providing [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) and [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2) services that meet the [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) for participation in [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this subchapter and meet such other appropriate requirements relating to the activities under this section as the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may establish.
- (e) **Selection of grant recipients—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall award grants under this section on a competitive basis to applicants meeting the criteria specified in [subsection (d)](#d) (giving priority to entities with a record of providing early, continuous, and comprehensive childhood development and [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2) services).
- (f) **Distribution—** In awarding grants to eligible applicants under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall—
  - (1) ensure an equitable national geographic distribution of the grants; and
  - (2) award grants to applicants proposing to serve communities in rural areas and to applicants proposing to serve communities in urban areas.
- (g) **Monitoring, training, technical assistance, and evaluation—**
  - (1) **Requirement—** In order to ensure the successful operation of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) assisted under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall use [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) made available under [section 9835(a)(2)(E) of this title](/usc/42/9835.md?p=a-2-E) to monitor the operation of such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), and [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) made available under [section 9835(a)(2)(C)(i)(I) of this title](/usc/42/9835.md?p=a-2-C-i-I) to provide [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), consistent with [section 9835(c) of this title](/usc/42/9835.md?p=c).
  - (2) **Training and technical assistance—**
    - (A) **Activities—** Of the portion set aside under [section 9835(a)(2)(C)(i)(I) of this title](/usc/42/9835.md?p=a-2-C-i-I)—
      - (i) not less than 50 percent shall be made available to Early Head Start agencies to use directly, which may include, at their discretion, the establishment of local or regional [agreements](/usc/42/1320b–8.md?p=a-3-A) with community experts, institutions of higher education, or private consultants, for [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance activities in order to make [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) improvements identified by such agencies;
      - (ii) not less than 25 percent shall be available to the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) to support a [State](/usc/42/9832.md?p=25)-based [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance system, or a national system, described in [section 9843(e) of this title](/usc/42/9843.md?p=e), including infant and toddler specialists, to support Early Head Start agencies, consistent with [subparagraph (B)](#g-2-B); and
      - (iii) the remainder of such amount shall be made available to the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) to assist Early Head Start agencies in meeting and exceeding the [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) described in [section 9836a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9836a.md?p=a-1) (directly, or through grants, contracts, or other [agreements](/usc/42/1320b–8.md?p=a-3-A) or arrangements with an entity with demonstrated expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11)) by—
        - (I) providing ongoing [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance to Early Head Start agencies, including developing [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance materials and resources to support [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) development and improvement and best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) in providing services to [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) and [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) served by Early Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
        - (II) supporting a national network of infant and toddler specialists designed to improve the quality of Early Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
        - (III) providing ongoing [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance on Early Head Start [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) development and improvement for regional staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the administration of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) carried out under this section; and
        - (IV) if [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) remain after the activities described in subclauses [(I)](#g-2-A-iii-I), [(II)](#g-2-A-iii-II), and [(III)](#g-2-A-iii-III) are carried out, carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
          - (aa) Providing support and [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) planning and implementation assistance for new Early Head Start agencies, including for agencies who want to use [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) as described in [section 9840(a)(5) of this title](/usc/42/9840.md?p=a-5) to serve infants and toddlers.
          - (bb) Creating special [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance [initiatives](/usc/42/19131.md?p=1) targeted to serving high-risk populations, such as [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) in the [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) welfare system and [homeless children](/usc/42/9832.md?p=11).
          - (cc) Providing [professional development](/usc/42/9832.md?p=21) designed to increase [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) participation for underserved populations of eligible [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2).
    - (B) **Contracts—** For the purposes of supporting a [State](/usc/42/9832.md?p=25)-based system, as described in [subparagraph (A)(ii)](#g-2-A-ii), that will meet the needs of Early Head Start agencies and provide high-quality, sustained, and intensive [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2) and technical assistance on programming for infants and toddlers to Early Head Start agencies, and in order to help such agencies meet or exceed the [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) described in [section 9836a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9836a.md?p=a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall—
      - (i) use [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) reserved under [subparagraph (A)(ii)](#g-2-A-ii) in combination with [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) reserved under [section 9835(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) of this title](/usc/42/9835.md?p=a-2-C-i-II-bb) to ensure the contracts described in [section 9843(e)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9843.md?p=e-1) provide for a minimum of 1 full-time specialist with demonstrated expertise in the development of infants and toddlers; and
      - (ii) ensure that such contracts and the services provided in the contracts are integrated with and augment the contracts awarded and services provided under [section 9843(e) of this title](/usc/42/9843.md?p=e);
- (h) **Center-based staff—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall—
  - (1) ensure that, not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers providing direct services to [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) and [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) participating in Early Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) located in Early Head Start centers, have a minimum of a [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) development associate credential, and have been trained (or have equivalent coursework) in early childhood development; and
  - (2) establish staff qualification goals to ensure that not later than September 30, 2012, all such teachers have been trained (or have equivalent coursework) in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
- (i) **Staff qualifications and development—**
  - (1) **Home visitor staff standards—** In order to further enhance the quality of home visiting services provided to [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) of [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) participating in home-based, center-based, or combination [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) options under this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall establish [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) for [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2), qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Contents of standards—** The [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) for [training](/usc/42/285e–2.md?p=b-2), qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall include content related to—
    - (A) structured [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e)-focused home visiting that promotes [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3)’ ability to support the [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e)’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development;
    - (B) effective strengths-based [parent](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) education, including methods to encourage [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) as their [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e)’s first teachers;
    - (C) early childhood development with respect to [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) from birth through age 3;
    - (D) methods to help [parents](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=k-3) promote emergent literacy in their [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) from birth through age 3, including use of research-based strategies to support the development of literacy and language skills for [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) who are [limited English proficient](/usc/42/9832.md?p=15);
    - (E) ascertaining what [health](/usc/42/9852c.md?p=c) and developmental services the [family](/usc/42/290ff–4.md?p=d-2) receives and working with providers of these services to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual [health](/usc/42/9852c.md?p=c), vision, hearing, and developmental screening for [children](/usc/42/256e.md?p=g-2) from birth to entry into kindergarten, when needed;
    - (F) strategies for helping [families](/usc/42/12704.md?p=11) coping with crisis; and
    - (G) the relationship of [health](/usc/42/9852c.md?p=c) and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and early [child](/usc/42/416.md?p=e) development.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 645A, as added Pub. L. 103–252, title I, § 112(a), May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 638; amended Pub. L. 105–285, title I, § 113, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2719; Pub. L. 110–134, § 15, Dec. 12, 2007, 121 Stat. 1418.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(11), is title VI of Pub. L. 91–230, Apr. 13, 1970, 84 Stat. 175, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. Part C of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 1431 et seq.) of chapter 33 of Title 20. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1400 of Title 20 and Tables.

### Amendments

2007—Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(1), struck out “for families with infants and toddlers” after “programs” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(2), substituted “The Secretary shall make grants to entities (referred to in this subchapter as ‘Early Head Start agencies’) in accordance with this section for programs (referred to in this subchapter as ‘Early Head Start programs’)” for “The Secretary shall make grants, in accordance with the provisions of this section for programs”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(A), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “provide services to parents to support their role as parents and to help the families move toward self-sufficiency (including educational and employment services as appropriate);”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(B), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “coordinate services with services provided by programs in the State and programs in the community (including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities) to ensure a comprehensive array of services (such as health and mental health services);”.

Subsec. (b)(6), (7). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(C), (D), added par. (6) and redesignated former par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(E), added pars. (8) and (9).

Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(C), redesignated pars. (8) and (9) as (11) and (12), respectively.

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(C), redesignated par. (7) as (10).

Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(F), added par. (11) and struck out former par. (11) which read as follows: “ensure formal linkages with the agencies and entities described in section 644(b) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1444(b)) and providers of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); and”.

Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(C), redesignated par. (8) as (11).

Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(3)(C), redesignated par. (9) as (12).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(4), substituted “eligibility criteria specified in section 9840(a)(1) of this title, including the criteria specified in section 9840(a)(1)(B)(ii) of this title” for “income criteria specified for families in section 9840(a)(1) of this title” in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (d)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(5), added pars. (1) to (3) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

“(1) entities operating Head Start programs under this subchapter; and

“(2) other public entities, and nonprofit or for-profit private entities, capable of providing child and family services that meet the standards for participation in programs under this subchapter and meet such other appropriate requirements relating to the activities under this section as the Secretary may establish.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(6), substituted “The Secretary shall award grants under this section” for “From the portion specified in section 9835(a)(6) of this title, the Secretary shall award grants under this subsection”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(7), added subsec. (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which related to monitoring, training, technical assistance, and evaluation of programs assisted under this section.

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 110–134, § 15(8), added subsecs. (h) and (i).

1998—Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(1), inserted “Early Head Start” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(2), substituted “provisions of this section for” for “provisions of this section for—”, struck out par. (1) designation before “programs providing”, substituted “self-sufficiency.” for “self-sufficiency; and”, and struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “provision of training and technical assistance to entities carrying out programs, and evaluation of programs, that were supported under the Comprehensive Child Development Act (42 U.S.C. 9881 et seq.), as in effect on the day before May 18, 1994.”

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(3)(A), inserted “(including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities)” after “community”.

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(3)(B), struck out “and” at end.

Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(3)(C), (D), added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(4)(A), substituted “subsection (a)” for “subsection (a)(1)” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(4)(B), substituted “3;” for “3 (or under age 5, in the case of children served by an entity specified in subsection (e)(3) of this section);”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(5), inserted “and” at end of par. (1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), inserted “or for-profit” after “nonprofit”, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “entities that, on the day before the date of enactment of this section, were operating—

“(A) Parent-Child Centers receiving financial assistance under section 9835(a)(4) of this title, as in effect on such date; or

“(B) programs receiving financial assistance under the Comprehensive Child Development Act, as in effect on such date; and”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(8), struck out “other” before “grant recipients” in heading and substituted “From the portion specified in section 9835(a)(6) of this title,” for “From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 9835(a)(6) of this title, after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e) of this section,” in text.

Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(6), (7), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (e) which related to time-limited priority for certain entities.

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(7), (10), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–285, § 113(9), struck out heading and text of subsec. (h) which related to Secretarial responsibilities.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective May 18, 1994, but not applicable to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) until Oct. 1, 1994, see section 127 of Pub. L. 103–252, set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under section 9832 of this title.