Head Start & Early Head Start Preschool

For over 40 years, Catholic Charities has been providing New Orleans area children and their families with a “Head Start” in life.

Download the FY 2021-2022 Head Start Annual Report | View the Head Start Policy Council

What is Head Start?

Head Start is a child and family development program for families with children from birth to 3 years (Early Head Start) and preschoolers 3 to 5 years of age (Head Start), including children with disabilities. These programs promote the social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development of each child.

Head Start and Early Head Start serve low-income families that fall at or below the federal poverty level. These programs are free for qualifying children and families.

Services include:

• Early childhood education
• Health services
• Social services

Enrollment Qualifications

To be eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start, families must:

• Live in Orleans Parish
• Have children birth to age 5 (including children with disabilities)
• Meet income guidelines: 0-100% of the federal poverty guidelines

*Families with children with disabilities earning 101-130% of the poverty guidelines may also be considered

Enroll Your Child Now!

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans participates in EnrollNOLA’s enrollment system for Early Childhood Programs. Enrollment is now open.

Click here to start the Enrollment Process now!

Paper applications will no longer be accepted. Parents who do not have internet access or need help filling out the online application can visit any of our sites listed below to get assistance from our Family Resource Workers. Additionally, EnrollNOLA provides three convenient Family Resource Centers to provide assistance with the application process.

St. Mary of the Angels Head Start and Early Head Start
(Ages 6 weeks – 5 years)
2225 Congress Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 227-3470
Michelle Hubbard, Director
[email protected]   

St. Paul the Apostle Head Start and Early Head Start
(Ages 6 weeks – 5 years)
6828 Chef Menteur Highway
New Orleans, LA 70126
(504) 503-1234
Sabrina Wilson, Director
[email protected] 

St. John the Baptist Head Start
(Ages 3 years – 5 years)
1920 Clio Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 529-2557
Nicole Roberson, Director
[email protected]

Incarnate Word Head Start and Early Head Start
(Ages 6 weeks – 5 years)
8326 Apricot Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 861-6342
Gaynell Anderson, Director
[email protected]

Enroll Your Child Today – Click here to start the enrollment process now!

This website is supported in part by a grant 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 Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.