HEAD START 101

Guam Head Start Program

Head Start History

1965 – The birth of Head Start Head Start is now middle aged!! 44 Years old.

Part of the War on Poverty program

Health and Human Services grant from the Office of Head Start.

Guam Head Start History Head Start programs began as a

Community Action Agency Program

Guam Head Start started as a summer program in 1965 and has continued for some 44 years

GDOE becomes grantee

In 1974: Public law 12 -165 Act to transfer the functions and responsibilities of the Head Start Division of the Community Action Agency to an appropriate division within the Department of Education.

Head Start has been part of the Elementary Division since then.

MISSION OF HEAD START

To break the cycle of failure by preparing young low income children and their families to better succeed in life.

To promote school readiness by enhancing social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families..

Mission: Guam Head Start

Prepare: Children and families for Success Promote: Social competency and Awareness Provide: Support and Services

Objectives of Head Start

Provide children with services to enhance their growth and development

Strengthen families as the primary caregivers/ nurturers of their children

Support families by providing opportunities for them to progress toward their goals of self sufficiency

Objectives continued.

Link children and families to needed community services by strengthening collaborative partnerships.

Ensure well-managed programs that involve parents in the decision making. Strengthen shared decision making with all stakeholders

Guam Head Start is a center based program operating 5 days per week and at least 160 days per year.

25 centers are currently based in 20 of our elementary schools

Teaching staff/ student ratio 1/10 – 20 children per classroom.

Must provide enrollment opportunities or at least 10% children with

disabilities

Program Delivery

Regulations

Reauthorization of the Head Start Act: December 2007; Public Law 110-134

Federal Performance Standards: 45 CFR 1301 – 1311

Federal Review: Ongoing Monitoring every 3 years: we were reviewed January 2010

SystemsSystems that must exist in all Head Start Agencies through all content areas

Governance Planning Communication Record-keeping and Reporting Ongoing monitoring Self- Assessment Human Resources Fiscal Management ERSEA (Eligibility, Registration, Selection,

Enrollment, Attendance)

Comprehensive services

Content Areas Child Development and Health

Services

Family and Community Partnerships

Program Design and Management

• early education

• health• mental health

• dental services

• nutrition• family services

• parent involvement• parenting education

• disabilities

. . . for the whole child

Service Areas

Education: Ongoing Assessments Individualization all children

Disability Services Health / Nutrition Services Mental Health Services Family & Community Partnerships Parent Involvement

Education Services Curriculum is Developmentally appropriate

Curriculums used: Creative Curriculum Second step I am moving, I am learning

Standards do not conflict the Kindergarten standards

Lesson plans must include: individualization, medical, dental, nutrition, mental health and parent involvement activities.

Health Services Screening: hearing, vision, physical,

developmental, behavioral and lead screening.

Dental Health

Mental Health

Nutrition

Preventative health tracking and follow-up

Assistance with Medical and Dental Home and follow up of treatment plans.

Screening/Assessment/Evaluation

Physical Exam, Health History, dental, vision, hearing, Nutrition history

Speech & language screening. Behavior screening Fine and Gross motor skills Concepts Self Health and Social Development

Disability Services

Least Restrictive Environment Dual enrollment possible Related Services provided in the classroom Interaction with same age peers Attendance at district school 10% enrollment of children with disabilities is

required

FAMILY / COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Assist families in determining family strengths, needs & goals

Family Partnership Agreement Refer to community resources Provide Support Home Visits

Head Start Community Partners…

Government Agencies and Private Service Providers

Collaborate on the provision of services as well as in the planning and implementation of programs/activities

Health Services Advisory Committee

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent participation is important Lesson and activity planning Budget

All parents and/or guardians welcome Volunteering in the classroom Parent training Parent Child activities Parent Educational goals Governance

Parent Opportunities

Training: Head Start is an option for various programs. (classroom, office, maintenance)

Education: GED,

Parent education/ training

Volunteers in Head Start…

Parents, Family Members, JOBS, FSS, UOG & GCC Students, Community Members Welcome

Parents in the DPH&SS JOBS Program or the GHURA FSS Program have the option to be placed in Head Start – Contact the Head Start Family Services Staff for more information

Head Start Governance

Roles and responsibilities

Management: Support shared decision making Facilitate communication and information sharing between

the GEPB and GHSPC Implement decisions and policies Primary Head Start management carry out the day to day

activities of the program

Guam Education Policy Board“Governing Board”

Board of Directors for Guam Head Start Program Carry out the requirements of shared decision

making Legal responsibility Fiduciary responsibility

Guam Head Start Policy Council

Actively Participate in the Shared decision making process

Being involved in the planning of the program and budget and discussions before approval is sought.

What does the PC do?

Work with the management staff and Guam Education Policy Board (Governing body) to: Help develop, review, and approve or disapprove

the following: Grant application which includes the budget How to implement shared decision making

Continued. Program planning

Goals and objectives Program activities

Review monthly financial statements Is the money being spent in a timely

manner? Current balances

Determine the criteria for recruiting, selection and enrollment priorities.

Participate in the annual self assessment

Planning / discussion cycleShared decision making.

GEPBWork Session

GEBP / GHSPC

Discussion/Decision

Strategic Planning Committee

Parents

Power of shared decision making: grant writing, budget, policies, procedures

Primary teacher of children

Awareness of family goals and needs

Advocate for family

Community Partners

Serve on advisory committees such asHealth Services Advisory Committee

May serve on the Guam Head Start Policy Council and the Center Level Parent Groups

Collaboration between programs/ projects to provide services to our community and our Head Start families.

Teacher credentials

Head Start teachers must be Head Start Teacher certified and meet recertification requirements

Teachers must have Early childhood Education credentials

New Head Start act requires all HS teachers to have at least an AA/AS by 2011 and 50% nationwide must have a BA/BS by 2013 in Early childhood Education.

Teacher aide / assistants

Head Start Act requires all to obtain at a minimum a Early Childhood Certificate by 2013 (Child Development Associate) or working towards an AA /AS in Early Childhood.

Teacher aides in Head Start are not replacement 1:1 aides. They are teaching staff and work with the required adult to child ration of 1/10.

Child staff ratio

By Head Start regulations the classroom needs to have 2 paid staff to work with the children.

Volunteers are encouraged to add to the adult / child ratio.

Head Start usually provides our own substitutes from central office for our paid staff.

Head Start Curriculum Developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum

Ongoing monitoring Report 3 times / year Outcomes based: literacy, math, science, and dual

language stressed Second Step Curriculum Health curriculum includes dental, nutrition, and

mental health Parent involvement / parent activities

included I am Moving, I am learning (physical fitness

and nutrition

Teaching staff expectations

Child contact includes all the curriculum pieces: social skills, meals physical fitness activities and parent child activities.

Family Involvement is part of their classroom prep and afternoon activities. Home visits: 2 required and prn for issues and

absences

Parent involvement activities: • Central Level parent Group (similar to PTO) advisior• Encourage to contribute to the school community

Expectations continued

Record keeping and tracking medical, dental, progress on goals and objectives for all children and families.

Ongoing monitoring tool of classroom

Discussing monthly activities with the Principal. There is a form to be completed and signed.

Classroom technology

Each classroom should have at least one computer: goal is 2.

Students use one and staff use the other.

Parents are invited to use the computer too.

Head Start Budget

Federal Budget

Basic Grant covers personnel costs and costs to provide comprehensive services to families and children. Amount is set by Washington DC

Training and technical Assistance grant is linked to training plan and may not be transferred to the Basic costs. Amount is set by DC

Supplemental grants opportunities vary from year to year. The availability and amount is set by the Office of Head Start

Funding: 2009 - 2010 Basic Grant: Salaries and operations: $ 2,168,195 Training and Technical Assistance: $41,898 COLA: $66,347 Supplemental: for training at the Region IX office: $25,000

ARRA award: COLA and Quality Improvement: $228,859. COLA: $39,895: fringe benefits, mileage, cost of living increases in

operations Quality Improvement: $188,964

$94,499: professional development $94,465: classroom and curricular enhancements and renovations and minimal

personnel (extension of part time aide hours)

Local budget Projected budget for 2010 $775,000 estimate: utilities, personnel,

xerox,and gas

School supply formulas – Each school counts

our children in their census for supplies. (This seems to be area of concern)

Next year award requests:

Basic grant: $2,234,542 Training and technical assistance: $43,784 COLA: $39,895 ARRA expansion: pending approval: ends

September 30, 2011 Basic: $282,780 Training and technical assistance: $5,656