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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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Policy Brief
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Reauthorization and Appropriations
Urge your members of Congress and the administration to support counties’ role in the federal, state and local partnership in administering and financing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties. -
County News
Six months after launch, how is 988 doing?
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline saw large jumps in calls and texts following the July debut of the 988 hotline. -
Blog
Get the word out! IRS - certified tax preparers help millions of people keep more of their money
Did you know that many Americans can keep more of their money at tax time by getting free tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteer preparers? -
Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Decreasing Pretrial Length of Stay by Improving Court Proceedings and Pretrial Services and Supervision
Jan. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here. -
Blog
ACL releases two new grant opportunities for Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services for older adults
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released two new Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services (INNU) funding opportunities that counties are eligible for to establish innovative approaches to enhance the quality and effectiveness of nutrition programs and services within the aging services system.
Contact
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Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
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Legislative Assistant(202) 942-4259
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BlogGet the word out! IRS - certified tax preparers help millions of people keep more of their moneyJan. 12, 2023
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BlogACL releases two new grant opportunities for Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services for older adultsDec. 20, 2022
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