AKA Head Start, Inc.

About Us

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs for low-income families, designed to give one to five year old children the experiences needed for school readiness and improve their quality of life. The AKA Head Start program is funded to serve 1,107 families in the east county communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Santee, and Spring Valley.

AKA Head Start has a holistic approach to a child's success, providing support to the entire family. Children receive medical, dental, speech, hearing and developmental screenings including follow-up services, and mainstreaming children with disabilities. Parents are recognized as the child's primary teacher, and receive support in goal setting and resources, and engage in shared governance and program decision making through center parent meetings, a parent Policy Committee, and a county-wide Policy Council.

Program options include center based services at 12 Head Start locations, Home Base services provided in the parent/guardian's home, or at a contracted Family Child Care home. Full-day services are 6+ hours, five days a week for parents working or going to school. Part-day services are 3 1/2 hours, four days a week. Children enrolled in Home Base receive a weekly home visit and attend two socializations a month.

We accept applications of children one year to five years of age year-round. Parents/Guardians must meet Federal Poverty guidelines. Children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and families receiving public assistance are automatically eligible.