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BlogOn April 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start announced that families currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would now be automatically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services, including school readiness, nutrition and family support.HHS announces SNAP enrolled families now eligible for Head Start
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Blog
HHS announces SNAP enrolled families now eligible for Head Start
On April 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start announced that families currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would now be automatically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services, including school readiness, nutrition and family support. Previously, this option only existed for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Counties administer, operate and contribute to the funding of federal safety net programs that help vulnerable residents thrive, including both SNAP and Head Start/Early Head Start. This new expanded eligibility will provide additional benefits for SNAP recipients and counties that administer the programs including better coordination between programs, reduced administrative burden and new eligibility for food-insecure children and families.
Counties strongly support efforts to bolster enrollment into critical programs that develop early learning skills in social and emotional well-being, healthy lifestyles, language and literacy skills, mathematics and other academic needs. NACo will continue to monitor federal actions that support and facilitate integrated delivery of social services programs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Toolkit: The County Human Services and Education Landscape
- NACo Blog: USDA announces $5 million in competitive grants for SNAP modernization
- NACo Policy Brief: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Reauthorization and Appropriations
- NACo Legislative Toolkit: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Counties for Kids Campaign
On April 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start announced that families currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would now be automatically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services, including school readiness, nutrition and family support.2022-05-05Blog2022-05-05
On April 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start announced that families currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would now be automatically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services, including school readiness, nutrition and family support. Previously, this option only existed for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Counties administer, operate and contribute to the funding of federal safety net programs that help vulnerable residents thrive, including both SNAP and Head Start/Early Head Start. This new expanded eligibility will provide additional benefits for SNAP recipients and counties that administer the programs including better coordination between programs, reduced administrative burden and new eligibility for food-insecure children and families.
Counties strongly support efforts to bolster enrollment into critical programs that develop early learning skills in social and emotional well-being, healthy lifestyles, language and literacy skills, mathematics and other academic needs. NACo will continue to monitor federal actions that support and facilitate integrated delivery of social services programs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Toolkit: The County Human Services and Education Landscape
- NACo Blog: USDA announces $5 million in competitive grants for SNAP modernization
- NACo Policy Brief: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Reauthorization and Appropriations
- NACo Legislative Toolkit: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Counties for Kids Campaign

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
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Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
Webinar
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Sep. 21, 2023 , 1:00 pmSummer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed. -
County News
County’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gap
Gwinnett County, Ga. teamed up with a food bank to create a mobile community market to alleviate food insecurity, which had increased during the pandemic.
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Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
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Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
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BlogThe County Countdown – September 26, 2023Sep. 25, 2023
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County NewsTwo-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreatAug. 21, 2023
Related Resources
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Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Sep. 20, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role in Food SystemsJul. 14, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsThe County Human Services and Education LandscapeJul. 7, 2023
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