Head Start in Wisconsin
Federal Program Overview
Head Start, including Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool, are federal programs for children under the age of 5 from low-income families, foster families, families experiencing homelessness, and children with disabilities or developmental delays. In Wisconsin, there are 44 Head Start grants, which fund 245 program sites and serve 13,314 children. The Office of Head Start, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Administration for Children and Families, manages grant funding and oversees local agencies/programming.
Check out the First Five Years Fund 2025 State Fact Sheet for the latest data on the impact of Head Start in Wisconsin.
DPI’s Role in Wisconsin Head Start
DPI collaborates with state and local partners to support Head Start initiatives across the state. Specifically, DPI
- Promotes awareness of Head Start services, who is eligible, and how to apply
- Advises school districts and Head Start programs on implementing local partnerships and helping children and families navigate the transition from Head Start to school
- Supports the implementation of Early Childhood Special Education programming in Head Start programs
- Helps coordinate administration of the Wisconsin Head Start State Supplement Grants, which provide additional funding to federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs to improve quality and expand access
- Works with the Head Start Collaboration Office at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the Wisconsin Head Start Association (WHSA), and other agencies to align services, strengthen partnerships, and improve outcomes for children and families
Contact Information
For specific questions or additional information about federal Head Start/Early Head Start Programming in Wisconsin please contact:
or