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The goal of Head Start/Early Head Start is to increase the social competence of children in low-income families and children

with disabilities, and to improve their chances for school success.

TEXAS HEAD START STATE

COLLABORATION OFFICE

Work Plan 2010-2011

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TEXAS HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION OFFICE WORK PLAN 2010-2011

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

The Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office (THSSCO) is part of the Texas State

Center for Early Childhood Development within the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at The

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

THSSCO plays an important role in helping our state make progress in improving the

lives of young children and families. THSSCO assists with relevant state initiatives and brings

the support and perspective of Head Start to the development of a comprehensive early

childhood system in Texas. THSSCO is funded by ACF/OHS for the purpose of facilitating

collaboration among Head Start agencies and entities that carryout activities designed to

benefit low income children from birth to school entry and their families.

This work plan focuses on enhancing cooperation, coordination, and collaboration within ten

key activity areas Health Care, Homelessness, Welfare, Child Welfare, Child Care Services,

Family Literacy, Disabilities, Community Services, Education and Professional Development,

American Indian-Alaskan Native & Migrant Seasonal HS and Outreach to Military Families.

The plan will focus on objectives and activities for improving collaboration with state and local

community partners for the 2010-2011program year.

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WORK PLAN 2010-2011 Key Activity Area 1: Health Care – Prioritized for 2010-2012

Goal: to promote access to timely Health Care Services, including general health, oral health, and mental health services.

Objective: To promote linkages and enhance collaborations of Head Start Services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing health care, including agencies and State officials responsible for these services.

Activity: Activity 1: Partner with Raising Texas (ECCS) to ensure that low income children receive comprehensive health services Activity 2: Serve as a member of the Texas Dental Home Initiative Activity 3: Serve as a member of the Texas Home Visitation Project

Timeline: 9/10-9/12 Ongoing 9/10-9/11

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Raising Texas HS Programs PIR THSSCO Texas Dental Association (TDA) HS Programs PIR THSSCO Texas Title V HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: Access to health care and dental home is improved. HS is represented on Texas Home Visitation Project

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, Needs Assessment Report, PIR data

Key Activity Area 2: Children Experiencing Homelessness – Prioritized for 2010-2011

Goal: to support access to services for children and families experiencing Homelessness through coordination with state and local education agencies implementing McKinney-Vento requirements

Objective: Assist Head Start State-based Training and Technical Assistance providers to coordinate with the needs of Head Start agencies and community for strong practices in serving children and families experiencing homelessness

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Activity: Activity 1: Participate in Quarterly meetings to determine how THSSCO can support the T/TA system in providing support to the HS grantees Activity 2: Serve on the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless (TICH) and assigned to subcommittee on Increasing Prevention Activities and Improving Outreach and Education

Timeline: ongoing ongoing

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Texas State Based Office HS Programs PIR THSSCO TICH HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: HS grantees have support to foster effective relationships to support children/families experiencing homelessness

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, Needs Assessment Report, PIR data

Key Activity Area 3: Family/Child Assistance – Prioritized for 2013

Goal: To encourage and support collaboration with Welfare systems Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Objective: Enhance collaboration and coordination of Head Start services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing welfare and state officials responsible for these services.

Activity: Activity 1: Compile a list/database of the welfare and TANF program administrators. Activity 2: Propose meeting with the welfare/TANF

Timeline: 2011 2012

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Texas Work Force Commission Texas Department of Family and Protective Services HS Programs PIR THSSCO Texas Work Force

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program administrators in order to develop partnerships

Commission HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: Relationship with welfare and TANF agencies will be established

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report

Key Activity Area 4: Child Welfare – Prioritized for 2013

Goal: To improve or enhance coordination with Child Welfare services, including foster care and child protective services.

Objective: Enhance collaboration and coordination of Head Start services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing welfare and state officials responsible for these services.

Activity: Activity 1: Compile a list/database of the child welfare program administrators. Activity 2: Propose meeting with the child welfare program administrators in order to develop partnerships

Timeline: 2011 2012

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Texas Department of Family and Protective Services HS Programs PIR THSSCO Texas Department of Family and Protective Services HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: Relationship with child welfare agencies will be established

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report

Key Activity Area 5: Child Care – Prioritized for 2010-2013 Prioritized Activity

Goal: To support collaboration efforts between Child Care, Head Start/Early Head Start to provide full day/full year service models.

Objective: To gain a better understanding of the number of collaborations between

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child care, Head Start/Early Head Start

Activity: Activity 1: Continue to be actively involved with emerging issues relating to Head Start/Early Head Start and child care collaborations. Activity 2: Gather baseline data on number of collaborations (through the needs assessment & focus groups) Activity 3: Gather baseline data on HS grantees needing full day/full year services (through the needs assessment & focus groups) Activity 4: Work with HS grantees to connect with child care to provide full day/full year services

Timeline: 9/10-9/11 9/10-9/11 9/10-9/11 9/10-9/11

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director & Staff THSSCO Director & Staff THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Director THSA Board HS Grantees South by Southwest Conference Group PIR State T/TA System

Outcomes: Increased number of children receiving extended and summer care

Outcome Measures: Baseline data on the number of collaborations and barriers to collaboration.

Key Activity Area 6: Family Literacy Services – Prioritized for 2012-2013

Goal: To promote and support state and local connections that enhances Family Literacy.

Objective: Enhance collaboration and coordination of Head Start services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing family literacy services and reading readiness programs and State officials responsible for these services.

Activity: Activity 1: Serve as member of the Texas Learns which is the Adult Education and Family Literacy Collaboration

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Texas Learns HS Programs PIR

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meet bi-annually. (Even Start)

Outcomes: Improved coordination at the local level.

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, PIR, Even Start Report Card

Key Activity Area 7: Children with Disabilities & Their Families Prioritized 2010-2013

Goal: To increase opportunities for children with Disabilities.

Objective: Promote better linkages between Head Start agencies and other child or family supportive services (Section 619 and Part C)

Activity: Activity 1: Participate as a member of the Governor appointed Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Council Activity 2: Serve as member of the Texas Interagency Coordinating Councils – TEA 619 Activity 3: participate in the Texas Expanding Opportunities Team

Timeline: 2010-2015 2010-2015 2010-2012

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO ECI HS Programs PIR THSSCO TEA HS Programs PIR THSSCO Expanding Opportunities HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: to promote the inclusion of Head Start and Early Head Start Children with disabilities in 619, Part C and other state agencies.

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, PIR, Texas Expanding Opportunities Annual Report

Key Activity Area 8: Community Services – Prioritized for 2013-2014

Goal: To promote and support full utilization of relevant community services, including public schools, public libraries, museums, and law enforcement agencies, and promote

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effective outreach efforts to Head Start-eligible families.

Objective: To enhance collaborations at the local level.

Activity: Activity 1: Serve as the State point of contact for agencies and planners seeking information about Head Start Policies, procedures and services. Activity 1: Continue to foster relationship with the Texas Association of Community Action Agency.

Timeline: 2010-2015 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO HS Programs PIR THSSCO HS Programs PIR

Outcomes: Community service organizations will have an increased awareness of Head Start and Early Head Start

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, PIR, THSSCO Needs Assessment

Key Activity Area 9: Education – Prioritized for 2010-2015

Goal: To ensure the presence and voices of Head Start & Early Head Start Programs in the discussion of the Pre-K curriculum adoption and development of the Texas Early Learning Guidelines

Objective 1: To ensure the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework is included in the Pre-K curriculum adoption 2010-2011

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Activities: Activity 1: Serve as a resource to the Texas Education Agency and selected vendors of the State adopted Pre-K curriculum Activity 2: Increase awareness of the State Adoption Pre-K curriculum and the alignment with the HS Child Outcomes Framework

Timeline: 9/10-9/11 9/10-9/11

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO State T/TA System THSA Board South by Southwest Conference Group Selected Vendors

Outcomes: Head Start Child Outcomes Framework is included in the Pre-K curriculum

Outcomes Measures: Alignment document is developed and made available to HS grantees

Objective 2: To ensure the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework is included the Texas Early Learning Guidelines

Activities: Activity 1: Serve as a resource to the Texas State Advisory Councils’ (SAC) Collaborations and Standards working group regarding the development of the Texas Early Learning Guidelines

Timeline: 9/10-/911

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO State T/TA System Zero to Three

Outcomes: Participation in the working groups of the SAC

Outcome Measures: Head Start Child Outcomes Framework is included in the Texas Early Learning Guidelines

ACF/OHS Priority #2 Alignment and Transition:

Goal: Improve Head Start’s coordination with state and local school entities to foster seamless transition between Head start and elementary schools that will positively impact the school readiness and long term success of children.

Objective: To gain a better understanding of the systems HS grantees have to in place to ensure a seamless transition between Head Start and elementary schools.

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Activities: Activity 1: Research best practices on transition policies and practices between HS and elementary schools Activity 2: Gather examples of transition plans from HS grantees Activity 3: Foster working relationships between Head Start, LEA & CC programs to establish comprehensive transition policies and practices.

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO THSSCO TEA LEA State T/TA System ECI HS Grantees

Outcomes: Transition policies and practices “tool kit” available to HS, LEA’s and CC

Outcome Measures: Baseline information on # of transition plans & use of transition policies and practices “tool kit”

ACF/OHS Priority #3 Data Systems:

Goal: Promote interoperability between Head Start data systems(s) and those of state preschool and K-12 systems that includes the assignment of unique State Assigned Student Identifiers (SASIDS) that remain with students throughout their prek-12 public education, so that Head Start participants can be included in the state data collection efforts, longitudinal studies, and tracking systems that demonstrate sustainable educational outcomes.

Objective: To demonstrate sustainable educational outcomes of HS children

Activities: Activity 1: Gather baseline data on # of children participating in the state data collection efforts Activity 2: Collaborate with CLI statistician to write a peer reviewed publication to document the educational outcomes of HS children that are participating in the state data

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO CLI TEA THSSCO CLI TEA

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collection efforts Activity 3: Promote and share the results of the peer reviewed publication

THSSCO Director

THSSCO CLI

Outcomes: Demonstrate educational outcomes of Head Start children participating in the state data collection efforts

Outcome Measures: peer reviewed article/results

ACF/OHS Priority #4 Quality Rating and Improvement Systems:

Goal: Ensure Head Start program performance standards are included in individual state’s QRIS standards to support state system building efforts and eliminate duplicative and burdensome requirements.

Objective: to ensure HS programs are included in the state QRIS.

Activities: Activity 1: Serve as a member of the SAC as serve as a resource to the QRIS system.

Timeline: 2010-2013

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO CLI SAC

Outcomes: Head Start performance standards and head start child outcomes framework is included in the State QRIS.

Outcome Measures: Annual THSSCO report, SAC Report and Framework.

Key Activity Area 10: Professional Development – Prioritized for 2010-2015

Goal: To support Head Start grantees in better accessing Professional Development opportunities for staff to meet the Head Start degree requirements through sequences of training and coursework that lead to associate, bachelor’s, and/or advanced degrees To support access to professional development opportunities that meet the staff requirements for HS and EHS.

Objective: To promote linkages between Head Start and Higher Education for increased access to appropriate degree opportunities

Activity: Activity 1: provide a list of higher education opportunities for Head Start Staff on a monthly basis and post on the TECECDS website

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO

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(including online and distance learning)

Outcomes: Increased access to professional development opportunities

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report, Needs Assessment Report, PIR data

Goal: To support the work of the Texas Early Care and Education Career Development System

Objective: To implement the 5 year strategic plan

Activity: Activity 1: Meet quarterly Activity 2: Organize ad-hoc committees as needed to complete tasks and assignments

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Director TECECDS Council

Outcomes: Support for TECECDS

Outcome Measures: HSSCO Semi-Annual Report

Goal: Increasing every head start child’s exposure to effective, appropriate learning experiences

Objective: Assisting programs meeting new expectations of implementing the use of the CLASS system

Activity: Activity 1: Promote awareness of the CLASS system to HS grantees and ECE stakeholders

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO TEA State Center for Early Childhood Development (SCECD)

Outcomes: Increasing the number of children exposed to effective, appropriate learning experiences

Outcome Measures: OHS reviews which include the CLASS results

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ACF/OHS Priority #1 Professional Development The councils’ work group on Workforce and Professional Development is charged with ensuring that Texas’ early childhood professionals are prepared to provide high quality early childhood education and care in order to improve school readiness. The core knowledge, skills, and practices of early childhood professionals are critical and they provide a framework to deliver high quality development and educational experiences for young children.

To address these issues, the SAC develop recommendations regarding statewide professional development and career advancement plans for early childhood educators; assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-year public and private institutions of higher education toward supporting the development of early childhood practitioners; and support professional development, recruitment and retention. By addressing these key barriers, the Council will further Texas’ professional development system to prepare a well-qualified workforce.

Goal: To build a comprehensive, integrated statewide professional development system

Objective: To support the work of the working group on professional development

Activity: Activity 1: Develop and implement a career development system for EC professionals Activity 2: Maintain and support the work of the Texas Trainer Registry Activity 3: Identify examples of colleges and universities with articulation agreements Activity 4: Develop a career lattice for early childhood professionals Activity 5: Conduct a wage comparability study Activity 6: Explore funding support for professional development opportunities

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO Director TECECDS Council State Advisory Council Institutions of Higher Education State T/TA System

Outcomes: A comprehensive cross system EC professional development system

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Outcome Measures: SAC report, HSSCO Semi-Annual Report

Key Activity Area 11: State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (SAC) – Prioritized for 2010-2013

Goal: To build a comprehensive, integrated early childhood system in Texas through sustainable policies

Objective: To ensure the needs of HS and EHS grantees are included in the work of the SAC

Activities: Activity 1: Participate in quarterly meetings Activity 2: Provide Monthly updates on SAC, provide relevant information and feedback loop to SAC that impacts children and families Activity 3: Present SAC plan to THSA, South by Southwest Conference Group and Region 6 Head Start Association at their Annual Meetings

Timeline: 2010-2013

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director THSSCO Director THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO THSSCO THSSCO

Outcomes: THSSCO participates in application process, plan to inform the HS/EHS communities on SAC, create a two-way communication model for sharing and feedback

Outcome Measures: Documentation of monthly communication

Key Activity Area 12: American Indian Alaskan Native and Migrant Seasonal Head Start: 2010-2015

Goal: Support and work with the AIAN & MS Collaboration Offices to support children and families in these programs.

Objective: To gain a better understanding on how to support AIAN/MS programs.

Activities: Activity 1: Schedule quarterly calls with AIAN/MS Collaboration Leadership to determine needs.

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO

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Outcomes: THSSCO gains a better understanding on how to support AIAN/MS programs.

Outcome Measures: THSSCO Annual Report, PIR, AIANMS data

Key Activity Area 13: Outreach to Programs serving Military Families: 2010-2015

Goal: Outreach for children in military families who do not have access to quality early childhood services when located away from military installations.

Objective: To gain a better understanding on how to support program serving military families.

Activities: Activity 1: Survey HS/EHS providers to see how many are serving military families. Activity 2: Compile a listing of all the military bases and contact information for child care in Texas.

Timeline: 2010-2015

Person Responsible: THSSCO Director

Resources: THSSCO

Outcomes: THSSCO gains a better understanding on how to support military programs.

Outcome Measures: THSSCO Annual Report, PIR, Needs Assessment.