In 1994, the federal Early Head Start (EHS) program was created to address the comprehensive needs of low-income pregnant women and children under age 3. EHS was created almost 30 years after Head Start was established in 1965 to serve low-income 3- and 4-year-old children and their families with comprehensive early education and support services. Both programs provide services focused on the "whole child," including early education addressing cognitive, developmental, and socio-emotional needs; medical and dental screenings and referrals; nutritional services; parental involvement activities; referrals to social service providers for the entire family; and mental health services. All Head Start programs are required to complete the Program Information Report (PIR) on an annual basis. This fact sheet uses information reported through the PIR to describe the children and families served in Early Head Start and the services provided to them during the 2011-2012 program year. EHS spending in 2012 totaled $1.3 billion. In 2012, the EHS program served 151,342 children under age 3 and 16,175 pregnant women through 1,015 grantees/delegates throughout the country. The PIR collects data on all children and pregnant women who participate in Head Start at any point during the program year, including those who do not complete the year. Eleven percent of all federally funded Head Start slots were in EHS. Nationally, about 4 percent of eligible children were served by EHS.