That's the goal of Head Start, a nationwide, federally funded program that is free for children of low-income families. In Northeast Tennessee, the Head Start program is part of the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, according to Cindy Crumley, a family resource specialist with Head Start. People Inc. About 400 children are enrolled in People Inc.'s Head Start program, which also serves Washington and Russell counties in Southwest Virginia. People Inc. also operates Early Head Start, which focuses on prenatal, infant and toddler care, Pierce said. All Head Start programs use federal guidelines to determine who is eligible.
Children can begin the program at any time during the school year if there is an opening.