Early Childhood - Early Head StartHead Start is a national program that provides comprehensive child development services to disadvantaged children ages three and four in an effort to break the cycle of poverty. Local agencies, operating under direct federal grants, provide preschool education; medical, dental, and mental health care; nutrition services; and services for parents. This brief outlines the impacts of Head Start programs on children and families.

This research brief is one in a series of research briefs on the impacts of early childhood programs published by First Focus and the Brookings Center on Children and Families. The full series includes briefs on State Pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Model Early Childhood Programs, and Nurse Home Visiting.