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Head Start and Early Head Start in Cedar Rapids, IA

9 centers in Cedar Rapids (Linn County). 4 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 9 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through one local program, which report 287 funded slots here. It's free if you qualify.

Source: Office of Head Start service locations, as of October 2026. Each program reports its own sites, so call before you visit. Closed sites are left out.

Who qualifies in Iowa

$27,320a year or less for a family of three, or $33,000 for four. That's the 2026 federal poverty line, Head Start's income limit.

You also qualify at any income if you get TANF or SSI, your child is in foster care, or your family is homeless.

Sources: 45 CFR 1302.12; HHS poverty guidelines

Poverty guidelines for every family size

Centers in Cedar Rapids

Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.

  • College Community School District - Early Childhood

    Head Start

    401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 20 funded slots

    (319) 848-5296
    CallDirections

  • College Community SD - Cedar Valley Townhomes

    Head Start

    3000 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 15 funded slots

    (319) 848-5296
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Cedar River Academy - Taylor

    Head Start

    720 7th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 32 funded slots

    (319) 558-2477
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Inn Circle

    Early Head StartHead Start

    5560 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 56 funded slots

    (319) 366-7631
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Johnson STEAM

    Head Start

    355 18th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 32 funded slots

    (319) 558-2174
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Northwest

    Early Head StartHead Start

    230 10th St NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 24 funded slots

    (319) 221-1484
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Truman Early Learning

    Head Start

    441 W Post Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 32 funded slots

    (319) 558-2375
    CallDirections

  • HACAP Head Start - Urban

    Early Head StartHead Start

    1328 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 24 funded slots

    (319) 366-7632
    CallDirections

  • Linn County Child Development Center

    Early Head StartHead Start

    1020 6th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

    Run by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program · 52 funded slots

    (319) 892-5700
    CallDirections

Where to apply in Cedar Rapids

You apply to the program, not to one center. Each number here is the program's enrollment line: staff check whether you qualify, tell you which centers have room, and add you to the waiting list if they're full. Counts are centers in Cedar Rapids.

  • Hawkeye Area Community Action Program

    9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (319) 393-7811

New to Head Start? Who qualifies, what it costs and how applying works

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in Iowa

Having a baby in IowaBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 220% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveNoMedicaid pays for a doulaNoSee Iowa