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Oahu Head Start preschools are accepting applications for the upcoming 2015-16 school year, which begins in August.
Head Start, a federally funded early childhood program for economically disadvantaged families, is run on Oahu by the nonprofit Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP).
HCAP Head Start offers free part-day, part-year and home-based preschool options to help prepare keiki between 3 and 5 years old for kindergarten.
Families must have an annual household income at or below the federal poverty line to qualify. For example, the income cutoff for a family of three in Hawaii would be $22,760.
Children born between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2012, are eligible to apply. (Children born before Aug. 1, 2010, should register for kindergarten.)
HCAP runs 84 Head Start classrooms islandwide, serving approximately 1,660 children. The program provides comprehensive services in education, health, nutrition and family support services.
Families can apply online at hcapweb.org/headstart/ head-start-application or by calling 847-2400. Applications must be received by March 31.
HCAP staff and volunteers will launch a recruitment campaign starting Monday at local stores, shopping centers and medical clinics across the island.
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