Head Start families must reapply after Porter-Leath takes over services in Shelby Co.

Published: Jul. 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM CDT|Updated: Jul. 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM CDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Porter-Leath, a resource center for Mid-South families, will take over Head Start and expand its services in Shelby County.

According to a spokesperson, families that have already been approved will have to reapply through Porter-Leath.

You can find that form on their website.

Families will also need to provide necessary documents and attend a recruitment event.

That information is still to come.

With school starting in the next two weeks, Porter-Leath says it is working with the Office of Head Start to make the transition as fast and safe as possible.

In a statement released to Action News 5, Porter-Leath says in part:

“Today’s award by the Office of Head Start ensures 2,920 children will have access to a safe, high-quality early childhood education while their families receive the comprehensive support they need to reach their goals.”

Head Start offers preschool at no cost to children from low-income families and was previously under the Memphis-Shelby County School District.

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