DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Head Start Briefing 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 and EHS-CCP Program School Readiness Goals for Approval
2. 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start and EHS-CCP Program Designs for Approval
In addition, the following will be presented for briefing without action required:
3. Briefing on the DHS, Head Start Domestic Violence Process
4. Briefing on the Jule Sugarman Distinguished Staff Award
5. Briefing on the DHS, Head Start Notice of Award Cost of Living Adjustment
6. Briefing on the DHS, Head Start and EHS-CCP Program End of Year Data
7. Briefing on the May, June and July 2019 DHS, Head Start Program Update 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, City Council, and to the Head Start Policy Council. While City Council must maintain its legal and fiscal responsibilities, it has authorized the Community Health and Equity Committee to oversee other key responsibilities.
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 DHS, 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, DHS, 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. DHS, 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 grants as set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require the Governing Body (City Council) and the Head Start Policy Council to review programmatic actions and City Council has authorized the Community Health and Equity Committee to oversee certain key responsibilities:
1. 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start Program School Readiness Goals (Attachment A) - Head Start Performance Standards section 1301.2 require the Governing Body to approve annually Head Start School Readiness Goals. These goals developed in collaboration with EISD, SAISD, and EHS-CCP center directors guide School Year 2019-2020 programming to ensure children are ready for school, families are ready to support their children’s learning, and schools are ready for children. The Head Start Policy Council approved the 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start School Readiness Goals on July 23, 2019.
2. 2019-2020 DHS, Head Start and EHS-CCP Program Designs (Attachment B) - The Head Start Act section 642(c) requires the Governing Body to review and approve the 2019-2020 Program Designs. The plans reflect a total of 21 DHS, Head Start centers: two in Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) and 19 in San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). Early Head Start- Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) reflects a total of six centers, one in the EISD service area and five in the SAISD service area. Through collaboration with the local school districts and centers, the Head Start and EHS-CCP programs provide full-day program instruction to enrolled children. Both are currently at 100% enrollment with 3,236 children enrolled. The Head Start Policy Council approved the 2019-2020 Head Start Program Designs on July 23, 2019.
3. Briefing on the DHS, Head Start Notice of Award Cost of Living Adjustment (Attachment C) - The Head Start Act 642 (c)(1)(E)(iv)(V)(bb) requires review of the DHS, Head Start Programs progress in carrying out the programmatic and fiscal provision of the grant application, including implementation of corrective action. This item was reviewed by the Head Start Policy Council on May 28, 2019.
4. Briefing on the DHS, Head Start Program Updates (Attachment D) - The Head Start Act 642(d)(2)(A-E) requires the program share accurate and regular information with the governing body and Head Start Policy Council in accordance with the Head Start Act Sec 642(c)(1)(E). Monthly program report includes information on Head Start Domestic Violence Process, End of the Year Data (EOY), Jule Sugarman Distinguished Staff Awards, and monthly activities for the programs and fiscal briefing for the month of May, June and July 2019.
ALTERNATIVES:
The review 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:
These items are for briefing purposes only.