
Head Start and Early Head Start Services
optimizing the potential of Portage County Ohio children and families
Head Start Preschool
The Head Start Preschool program is a no-cost preschool for income-eligible children ages three to five years old and not kindergarten eligible. Portage Learning Centers operates four Head Start centers in Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro, and Atwater.
208 children are served in Head Start.
Early Head Start
Early Head Start (EHS) is a no-cost early education program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. Portage Learning Centers serves EHS children and families in a home-based program. In addition, a center-based program is also provided to EHS children in our Kent and Ravenna locations.
64 children and pregnant women are served in Early Head Start.
What are Head Start and Early Head Start Services?
Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that promote the school readiness of children ages birth to 5 from income-eligible families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, including health, nutrition, social services, education, and cognitive development.


Apply Today
Call (330) 297-7795 to schedule an enrollment appointment at our Portage Learning Center’s Main Office.
Eligibility Requirements
Head Start and Early Head Start are income-based programs. Income guidelines are based on family size.
2025 Income Guidelines
Families receiving SNAP benefits and Homeless and Foster Children are automatically eligible for our services.
Twelve months of documented income must be provided, i.e., W2, 1040, 1099, paystubs, OWF, SSI, Social Security, Child Support, Unemployment, etc.
If a family claims no income for the previous twelve months, the enrollment office will provide more information on what will be required.
Proof of age is required for child applicants (birth certificate/birth record).
Pregnant women will not need to provide proof of age, nor will they need to prove pregnancy.
Other information needed:
- Name, address, and phone number of two emergency contacts
- Custody/guardianship paperwork, if applicable.
- Name of child's doctor and dentist
This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH011947 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Portage Learning Centers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.