Head Start
Our Vision
“Children are healthy and ready for school with supportive and engaged families.”
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program to prepare children and families for school success. Preschool children learn best through play. We teach science, math, literacy skills, art, self-help skills, and much more in our safe, fun classrooms. We meet Indiana Child Care Licensing regulations from the Family and Social Services Administration , and we have reached Level 3 in the Paths-to-QUALITY state rating system at three of our Centers.
Getting children ready for kindergarten is more than knowing the alphabet and counting to 10. At Head Start, our goal is to help every child to be physically, emotionally, and cognitively ready for school.
OVO provides all of its services without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, familial status, or status as a veteran. Our Head Start services are available to families in Jefferson, Jennings and Scott Counties.
To apply, you must complete the HS application 23-24. Please download and print out the document. Submit your completed application along with the following documentation:
- Proof of family/household income
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Child’s Immunization Record
- Medical Insurance Card
Completed Head Start applications with attached documents can be turned in at our Administration Office or any of our four Head Start Centers. For more information about enrollment, call the local Head Start Center.
You may also click on the following link: online application This will begin the application. A Family Support Specialist will contact you ASAP to gather additional information and complete the application.
Administration Office
421 Walnut Street, Madison
Phone: (812) 265-4877
Fax: (812) 273-5950
Jefferson County – Madison Center
575 OVO Drive, Madison
Phone: (812) 265-8240
Jefferson County – Southwestern Elementary School
273 S. Main Cross, Hanover
Phone: (812) 866-1176
Jennings County Center
3040 N. Hwy 3, North Vernon
Phone: (812) 346-8965
Scott County Center
1172 Community Way, Scottsburg
Phone: (812) 752-7409
Head Start’s income guidelines are listed below, based on household size. There are a few instances when these guidelines will be disregarded, such as for foster children, children from homeless families, and children from families that receive public assistance (such as SNAP, TANF, or SSI).
| 2023 Income Guidelines | |
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
| 1 | $14,580 |
| 2 | $19,720 |
| 3 | $24,860 |
| 4 | $30,000 |
| 5 | $35,140 |
| 6 | $40,280 |
| 7 | $45,420 |
| 8 | $50,560 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person. | |
Folleto de Head Start (Head Start Brochure Spanish Translation)
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Head Start and Early Head Start in Indiana
Indiana Association for Child Care Resource & Referral
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children
Indiana Department of Education – Early Learning
National Head Start Association
Southwestern Jefferson County Schools
This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH011855 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Ohio Valley Opportunities and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.