Head Start Works for Ohio
Healthy Kids. Working Parents. A Stronger Ohio.
Head Start, the nation’s premiere early learning program, is helping Ohio parents work while preparing kids to succeed. Trusted local organizations receive federal funding to design and run services for children from birth to age five who are living in poverty, in foster care, or experiencing homelessness in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. It’s a smart, targeted investment that supports learning and healthy development, strengthens families, and fuels Ohio’s economy.
Head Start is Integral to Ohio’s Child Care Infrastructure
If counted as its own school district, Head Start would be Ohio’s fourth-largest—trailing only Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati City Schools. That’s more children than
are enrolled in any other public district in the state.
Ohio's Head Start Centers
In the 2024–2025 program year, Head Start and Early Head Start served more than 27,0001 children in Ohio across more than 700 centers located in every county of the state.
Head Start Powers Ohio’s Workforce
In many rural counties, Head Start is the only affordable child care option available. When parents have reliable care, they stay in the workforce. And when children get a strong start, they grow into productive adults.
Head Start delivers both.
What’s happening in your own backyard?
Ohio doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—we just
need to fuel what’s already working.
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“Head Start Strengthens Families and Ohio’s Economy.”
~ Julie Stone, Ohio Head Start Association Inc.
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