Health and Health Care Among Early Head Start Children: Research to Practice Brief

Health services are a central focus of Early Head Start because good health is important to children’s development. Some Early Head Start programs facilitate access to health care, while others provide health services directly. The Head Start Program Performance Standards (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1996) require programs to assist families in obtaining health insurance and a regular source of health care. The Performance Standards also require programs to ensure that children receive all recommended well-baby care and treatment for health problems.