MATRIX HEAD START FAQ
Early Head Start and Head Start Eligibility
Early Care and Education serving children Birth to Five
Who is Eligible
We are open to all children and families regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, and disability.
Early Head Start Eligibility
Expectant mothers and children up to age 3 (6 weeks -36 months) and meet federal poverty income guidelines though some exceptions are made.
Head Start Eligibility
Children who are three (3 years) by December 1st of the current school year and have not turned 5 years old before December 1 and meet federal poverty income guidelines though some exceptions are made.
Matrix Head Start Provides
- Home-Based Services (weekly 90 minute visits in the home per child)
- Breakfast, lunch & snack served
- Services for children with disabilities
- Bi-lingual classrooms (English, Spanish, and Arabic)
- EARLY HEAD START Pregnant Moms Program (ensure prenatal health support and resource services)
- Individualized services
- School Readiness
- Great Start Readiness Program classrooms at selected sites
- Health and Dental Screenings
- Family Support
- Full Nutrition Program
- Community Resources
- Parent Engagement Models
- ASPIRE Matrix
- Abriendos Puertas (Opening Doors)
- Parent Training programs
- Volunteer opportunities
Hours of Opperation
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START TIMES
FULL DAY CLASSES & EARLY HEAD START
8 am – 3 pm / Monday – Friday -
PART DAY CLASSES
MORNINGS:
Monday – Thursday / 8 am – 11:30 am
AFTERNOONS:
Monday – Thursday / 12 noon – 3:30 pm
Great Start Readiness Program
Matrix partners with the Michigan Great Start Readiness Program at certain locations to provide blended GSRP/Head Start programming for children who are four (4 years) by December 1st of the current school year. Eligibility and documentation requirements are similar to Head Start.
Documents Needed to Apply
- Birth Certificate or Proof of Age
- Proof of Guardianship (if applicable)
- Income documentation for the last 12 months which can include: Federal 1040, W2, Tax return, SSI
- Documentation, DHS cash grant, and/or DHS child care reimbursement, Child Support Printout, Pay Stubs, Scholarship/Grants/Student Loan Documentation, Foster Care Statement.
- Address and telephone from work or school
Documents Needed to Enroll
- Physical Examination Form
- Dental Examination Form
ERSEA
What is ERSEA?
The ERSEA content is the content area within Matrix Head Start that oversees all the eligibility/applications of every family
How do I apply for Matrix Head Start Services?
Please contact our enrollment line at 313-285-1905, the ERSEA team will walk you through the steps to apply.
How old does my child have to be to receive Matrix Head Start services?
Matrix provides services to pregnant moms to 5 years of age
What services does Matrix Head Start provide?
- Pregnant mom services
- Home base services from ages 0-3
- Center base services from ages 0-5
Did you know?
Did you know?
- Every family has an assigned Family Advocate.
- Family Advocates should collaborate with families in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, and goals.
- Family Advocates can help you with Employment, Housing, Food, Utility Assistance, Clothing, Legal Assistance, and Pregnancy Support.
- Family Advocates help you with scheduling dental and physical appointments.
- Family Advocates can help you apply online for SER (State Emergency Relief).
Health Services
When talking about my child, what does “Mental Health” mean?
We look at a child’s mental health differently than we do adults.
In their first years of life, children rapidly develop the social and emotional capacities that prepare them to be self-confident, trusting, empathic, intellectually inquisitive, competent in using language to communicate, and capable of relating well to others.
Sometimes called early childhood mental health, or infant mental health, healthy social and emotional development refers to a child’s developing capacity to:
- Experience, manage and express the full range of positive and negative emotions;
- Develop close, satisfying relationships with other children and adults; and
- Actively explore their environment and learn.
Social and emotional development lays the foundation that helps guide a child into adulthood. Early experiences can build a strong foundation or a fragile one and can affect the way children react and respond to the world around them for the rest of their lives.
Are vaccines safe?
Yes. Vaccines are very safe. Millions of children are safely vaccinated each year. The United States has had a safe and effective child vaccination program for more than 60 years.
My baby is so little, why does he/she need vaccines now?
Vaccines should start early in life before children are exposed to serious diseases. The vaccination schedule helps protect your baby from diseases that can cause pain, disability, or even death. We use the EPDST schedule for all immunizations, physicals, and health screenings.
Why are there so many shots?
Depending on the vaccine, it can take several doses to build immunity and prevent disease. Every dose of a vaccine is important to protect against infectious diseases that can be especially serious for infants and very young children.
Can I space out the shots, so my baby will not receive so many at one time
Evidence suggests that changing the vaccination schedule is not a good idea. Think of each shot like a dose of preventive medicine. If your baby misses a shot, he/she hasn’t had all the protection needed, and may still be at risk for disease. Our health system has safely followed a multi-dose vaccination schedule for a long time. The CDC even has tips for making the visits less stressful.
Will my baby have side effects from vaccinations?
Vaccines, like any medication, may cause some side effects. The most common are very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site. Side effects typically only last a couple of days and are treatable. For example, you can apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth on the sore area to ease discomfort.
Do vaccines cause autism?
No scientific studies or reviews have found a relationship between vaccines and autism. The CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other leading health organizations would not recommend them if this were a risk.
My child is sick right now, can he/she still receive shots?
Yes, children can usually get vaccinated even if they have a mild illness like a cold, earache, mild fever, or diarrhea. You can discuss this with your doctor.
What does Medicaid and cover?
All states provide comprehensive coverage for children, including:
- Routine check-ups
- Immunizations
- Doctor visits
- Prescriptions
- Dental and vision care
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Emergency services
- Mental health services
Some specific benefits may be different from state to state.
How do I find a health care provider (doctor, dentist or pharmacist) in my area who accepts Medicaid?
Be sure to let your provider know that you’re enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP or give the name of your health plan when you make an appointment for care. If you’re having trouble getting an appointment to see a doctor, call your state Medicaid or CHIP agency or your health plan’s member services department for help.
What are major food allergies my child can experience?
These foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions and are the food sources from which many other ingredients are derived.
The eight foods identified by the law are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
- Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
- Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
How do I begin to breastfeed?
- Feed baby as soon after birth as possible.
- Do not use a bottle for the first three to four weeks after birth.
- Use correct positioning and latch-on.
- Make sure to break the suction before taking the baby off the breast!