Early Childhood Registration
South Holland School District 151 Early Learning Program offers programs for children ages 3 to 5 who have been identified as needing special education due to a disability or who are screened and identified as not progressing at a rate anticipated for potential success in kindergarten due to one or more at-risk variables. The district does not offer a parent-paid preschool program.
A Developmental Screening must take place prior to a child's enrollment in Early Start. Screening appointments are scheduled each month throughout the school year. To learn more about screening, please call the District Office at 708-339-1516.
Proof of Family Income
South Holland School District 151 Prekindergarten Programs are required to collect and review proof of family income to determine eligibility and priority points for every student as a part of the screening process for eligibility into early childhood block grant. Proof of family income must be placed in each child’s folder. During compliance monitoring visits, monitors will look for this documentation.
FAQ on Income Verification
What is the new requirement for proof of family income?
South Holland School District 151 Prekindergarten Programs are required to collect and review proof of family income to determine eligibility and priority points for every student as a part of the screening process for eligibility into early childhood block grant. Proof of family income must be placed in each child’s folder. During compliance monitoring visits, monitors will look for this documentation.
Why is this requirement being added?
Income has always been a component of screening for eligibility into programs, but now income must be verified for data collection and reporting. This helps ensure the most at-risk children are being served.
What happens if families refuse to provide income verification documentation?
Income verification must be collected for every child enrolled in the program. If the family does not want to provide verification documents, the child cannot be enrolled in the program. The early childhood block grant program should provide information on other area programs parents can look to for services.
If a child with an IEP is to be enrolled in the PFA program but will not provide income verification, do we deny services?
If the best placement for a child with an IEP has been determined to be the Preschool for All/Preschool for All Expansion blended program, then best efforts should be made to collect income verification and a weighted eligibility form should still be filled out. However, if proper financial documentation is not obtained, the child CANNOT lose enrollment status, but the lack of information should be noted on the eligibility form and the financial status of that family cannot be counted as an at risk factor until proper documentation is obtained to prove otherwise.
What documents are acceptable for proof of income?
The family income evidence must include one of the following:
- Pay stubs (two most recent, consecutive)
- Proof of WIC benefit
- Proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit
- Proof of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) enrollment
- Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit
- Proof the family receives Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Tax return (most recent)
- Wages and tax statement (most recent W-2)
- Verification/letter from employer
- Proof that parent is enrolled in Medicaid (a medical card with child’s name does not prove income eligibility)
What if I still have additional questions regarding the program or income verification?
If you have additional questions, concerns or just general inquires, please contact District Office at 708-339-1516 or visit our website at www.shsd151.org.
Proof of Residency
South Holland School District 151 School Board requires that parents, guardians or people asserting legal custody provide legal proof of residence within the boundaries of the district to enroll a child in District 151 schools for the first time during registration. All documents provided must be current and reflect name and address within District 54 boundaries.
Provide a copy of at least one of the following documents:
- the most recent real estate tax bill or mortgage statement for residence showing owner as the taxpayer;
- a signed lease for the residence including a beginning and end date; or
- a closing statement for the purchase of the residence.
In addition, provide a current copy of at least two of the following documents:
- driver’s license or State of Illinois ID;
- gas, water, electric, internet, television, telephone bill or letter confirming service connection;
- public assistance documentation;
- voter registration card;
- home or vehicle insurance certificate;
- State of Illinois automobile registration; or
- receipt for local city vehicle sticker where applicable.
Any person asserting legal custody over a student, who is not the student’s parent or legal guardian, must provide current documentation from a court supporting the student custody arrangement.
Students who are homeless may attend school in the district pursuant to provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Click here to access additional information on McKinney-Vento.
