Head Start and Pre-K Programs — Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center

Head Start & Pre-K Counts

COTRAIC is a lead agency provider of Head Start and Pre-K Counts. We offer tuition-free preschool education for children from age three until entry age of kindergarten.

Children ages three to five have the opportunity to enroll in a quality early education program that supports growth and school readiness in a positive learning environment.

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Head Start

Pre-K Counts

About Head Start

COTRAIC and our Head Start program are committed to helping the whole child. This means we prepare children for life, not just school. We provide a wide range of services, with one goal in mind: to improve the quality of life for both eligible children and their families. By partnering with and empowering parents, COTRAIC Head Start helps remove barriers to children’s success and deepens parents’ ability to support their children.

COVID Guidelines

Learn more about our COVID-19 Policy and Procedures.

Program Schedule

The program takes place from the end of August to the beginning of June with 170 school days.

The school day schedule is 8:15am to 2:15pm, Monday through Friday, serving nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch, and an afternoon snack.

Benefits of Head Start

Benefits of enrolling:

High quality education
Nutritious meals
Health services
Mental health & disabilities services
Support services
Transportation for some areas
Family goal planning
Parent employment & job training options

How to Enroll in Head Start

Documentation needed to complete the enrollment packet:

Birth Certificate or other proof of birth
Verification of income (tax documents, 2 pay stubs, SSI, or TANF letters)
Immunization records
Disability documentation (if applicable)
Custody or court documents (if applicable)
Health insurance card (if available)

Fill out the 2022–2023 application form (English)

Fill out the 2022-2023 application form (Spanish)

About Pre-K Counts

COTRAIC is a lead agency provider of Pre-K Counts, a tuition-free state-funded program providing quality full day pre-kindergarten education to children who: are between age 3 and until the entry age for kindergarten; and live in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

This program is a fundamental part of an early childhood education designed to close the opportunity gap for children and families across the Commonwealth. The program maintains a priority in at risk communities to help those children and families gain the tools necessary to be successful learners and supporters of the next steps, kindergarten education and beyond. The program utilizes an appropriate curriculum that is aligned with state and local standards for kindergarten.

Our teachers have the education and experience to prepare children in areas such as reading and math, along with fundamental life skills like paying attention, following directions and getting along with others.

Program Schedule

The program operates from the end of August to the beginning of June with 180 school days.

The school day schedule is 8:15am to 2:15pm, Monday through Friday, serving nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch, and an afternoon snack.

Benefits of Pre-K Counts

Benefits of enrolling:

High quality education
Nutritious meals
Health services
Intervention and referral services

How to Enroll in Pre-K Counts

Documentation needed to complete the enrollment packet:

Birth Certificate or other proof of birth
Verification of income (tax documents, 2 pay stubs, SSI, or TANF letters)
Immunization records
CACFP Form (in packet)
Disability documentation (if applicable)
Custody or court documents (if applicable)
Health insurance card (if applicable)

Fill out the 2022–2023 application form (English)

Fill out the 2022-2023 application form (Spanish)

The Head Start Advantage

This 18-minute documentary film explores the lives of Head Start students, parents, teachers, and alumni working to envision and create a better world for all Americans.

Professional & Parent Roles

Family engagement is an interactive process through which program staff and families, family members and their children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and professionals that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer.

About Professional & Parent Roles

Parent Education: Professional Development & Employment for Parents

Our goal is to educate and prepare children to be successful learners, while ensuring that their families have the support necessary to actively participate in their child’s cognitive growth and development.

About Parent Education

2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines

The Federal Poverty Guidelines are used to determine income eligibility for participation in Head Start and PreK Counts programs. These poverty guidelines are adjusted for families of different sizes. Below are the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2022.

Gross yearly income for 2022:

Household	100%	200%	300%
1	$13,590	$27,180	$40,770
2	$18,310	$36,620	$54,930
3	$23,030	$46,060	$69,090
4	$27,750	$55,500	$83,250
5	$32,470	$64,940	$97,410
6	$37,190	$74,380	$111,570
7	$41,910	$83,820	$125,730
8	$46,630	$93,260	$139,890