DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Head Start Briefing and Approval Items
SUMMARY:
This item presents the following from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs for action by the Community Health and Equity Committee:
1. 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start Program Recruitment Plan
In addition, the following will be presented for briefing without action required:
2. Briefing on the 2018-2019 DHS, Head Start Beginning of the Year Student Outcome Analysis
3. Briefing on the February 2019 Head Start Program Updates and Fiscal Report
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires recipients of Head Start grants to provide regular briefings on program and fiscal activities and ongoing training throughout the program year to their governing body. The city’s Community Health and Equity Committee and the Head Start Policy Council provide shared governance oversight of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Head Start grants.
The Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) grant programs are federally-funded programs administered by HHS. The programs provide early childhood education, family support and comprehensive support services to eligible children between the ages of six weeks and five years, and their families.
The Head Start Grant serves children at or below the federal poverty line and prioritizes the most vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness and children in the foster care system. The program mission is to prepare children and engage families for school readiness and lifelong success. The City of San Antonio program serves a total of 3,020 children: 777 children in the Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) and 2,243 children in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). As the program grantee, Head Start provides direct program management, oversight, training and technical assistance, governance, family support and mental wellness services. The comprehensive services approach positively impacts families and holistically addresses the needs of the children. Head Start also contracts with EISD and SAISD for the provision of educational and disability services, the Metropolitan Health District for dental services and University of the Incarnate Word for health services.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant provides early childhood education and development for low-income families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 35 months). Early Head Start partners with six non-profit child care centers to expand access to high-quality comprehensive services for 216 low-income infants and toddlers and their families.
ISSUE:
Rules and regulations for the Head Start and Early Start-Child Care Partnership Grant as set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require the governing body, through the Community Health and Equity Committee, to review the following items, taking action on the first item:
1. 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start Program Recruitment Plan (Attachment A) - The Head Start Act 642 (c)(1)(E)(iv)(II) requires the governing body to review and approve procedures and criteria for recruitment, selection, and enrollment of children. Section 1302.13, of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, requires the program to develop and implement a process designed to actively inform all families, with eligible children within the recruitment area, of the availability of program services and to encourage and assist them in applying for admission to the program. The 2019-2020 DHS Head Start Program Recruitment Plan identifies the program’s recruitment areas per the Community Assessment, methods used for the year-round recruitment of children, and key recruitment personnel. This item was reviewed and approved by the Head Start Policy Council on February 26, 2019.
2. Briefing on the 2018-2019 DHS, Head Start Beginning of the Year Student Outcome Analysis (Attachment B) - Section 1301.2 of the Head Start Program Performance Standards requires the program to share ongoing monitoring results, data on school readiness goals and related information described in 1301.102, which includes child-level assessment data that is aggregated and analyzed at least three times a year, with the governing body and policy council. The DHS Head Start Program utilizes the Learning Accomplishments Profile - 3rd Edition (LAP-3), a criterion referenced assessment that provides a systematic method for observing the skill development of children 36 - 72 months old. In accordance with federal requirements, students are assessed at the beginning of the year, middle of the year, and end of the year. The results of the LAP-3 are used to generate a detailed picture of a child's developmental progress across various domains so that individualized, developmentally appropriate activities can be planned and implemented. The Head Start Policy Council reviewed the 2018-2019 DHS, Head Start Beginning of the Year Student Outcome Analysis on February 26, 2019.
3. Briefing on the February 2019 Head Start Program Updates and Fiscal Report (Attachment C) - The Head Start Act 642(d)(2)(A-E) requires the program share accurate and regular information with the governing body and in accordance with the Head Start Act Sec 642(c)(1)(E). Governing bodies have a legal and fiscal responsibility to administer and oversee the Head Start and Early Head Start program. This item provides a monthly program and fiscal briefing for the month of February 2019.
ALTERNATIVES:
The review and approval of the items included in this memorandum are required for program compliance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rules and regulations for Head Start and Early Head Start- Child Care Partnership programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated impact to the general fund as a result of these actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends review and approval of the items included in this memorandum.