Head Start is a federally-funded pre-kindergarten program that has serviced children of low-income families in Long Beach for more than 25 years. The stated mission of Head Start, which was established by Congress in 1965, is to "provide the opportunity for education and training, employment and the right to live in decency and dignity, thus, helping people change lives." The Long Beach program is operated under the auspices of the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County and CEO Iris Johnson. School hours are from 8am to 4pm.