This booklet discusses the origins and components of Head Start, a federal project launched in 1965 to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs. The description of the program notes that in fiscal 1993 Head Start served 721,000 preschool children through 1,400 community-based organizations, with federal appropriations of $2.6 billion. The booklet then describes the four major components of Head Start: (1) education, which emphasizes an individualized curriculum and low child-staff ratios; (2) health, including medical and dental examinations, nutrition guidance, and mental health screening; (3) parent involvement, through participatory decision-making, volunteering, and employment in the program; and (4) social services. Head Start's role in working with children with disabilities, establishing Parent and Child Centers, providing staff development and training, and funding major demonstration projects are examined. The impact of Head Start on children and their families is also considered. The addresses and telephone numbers of Head Start's 10 regional offices, as well as its American Indian and Migrant programs, are included. (MDM)