Presentation for Head Start Grantees

Orientation to

First Year Conditions for ALL

Five Year Grant AwardsJuly 9, 2013

1

Rationale

HHS intentions behind the new conditions:

–Promote priorities–Increase grantee accountability–Reduce risk in key areas–Offer resources and support

2

Grantee Notice of Award/IM

“Your organization must complete the activities outlined below within the identified timeframes.”

• School Readiness• Audit Webinar• Governance

• Health and Safety

3

School Readiness

“Grantee must participate in individual School Readiness Progress meetings with the OHS Regional Office”

• Formalizes our ongoing effort• Continues to underscore significance and

priority

4

School Readiness

• 45 CFR 1307.3(b) Grantee responsibilities around establishing school

readiness goals and taking steps to achieve them

Throughout the five year project period, OHS will be assessing the grantees’ analysis of their progress toward the goals they have set, and whether grantees are making responsive program improvements based on that analysis

5

Audit Webinar

“Grantee must participate in an OHS-sponsored single audit webinar within one year of the start of the project period.”

• Initial airing of Webinar scheduled for July 30 and August 1, 2013

• Will then be archived on ECLKC for ongoing access

6

Audit Webinar

• Initial airing includes presentation and live Q&A• Content includes: compliance requirements and

common findings, tips for navigating the audit process, tips for avoiding common audit pitfalls

• Intended audience: grantee agency governing body members and executive staff, Program and Fiscal Specialists

7

Governance

“The grantee governing body must complete a governance and leadership capacity screening within 90 days of the start of the project period.”• Optional screening tool developed by OHS• Grantees may use a tool of their choosing but

must meet the intent

8

Engaging Governing Body & Policy Council

• Governance screener addresses both governing body and Policy Council requirements and joint activities

• Intended to emphasize importance and value of involvement and knowledge of both groups

• It is crucial the governing body and Policy Council work together, in consultation

9

The Screener

Governance, Leadership, and Oversight Capacity Screener

10

What it looks like:11

Format of the Governance Screener

• Introduction• Instructions• Screening questions about Head Start

Governance Practices and Related Regulations• Summary page

12

Responses to Screening Questions

• Practice is currently in place

• Practice will be fully implemented within first three months of funding

• Our organization needs assistance in understanding and implementing this regulation

13

Grantee Follow-Up

• Federal staff will check in with the grantee to find out when a governance screener is completed

• Discussion of screener results will lead to recommendations about next steps in building grantee capacity for Head Start governance

14

Governance Resources (PMFO)

• Orientation for New Directors and Leaders• Activities explain composition, roles, and

responsibilities

Head Start A to Z: Program Governance

Materials currently available to Regional TA Staff

15

Governance Resources (PMFO)

• In depth assessment of grantee governing body practices and readiness to oversee Head Start

The Governance Readiness Tool

Currently Available on ECLKCOrientation webinar will be available on

Grantee Specialist Workspace

16

Governance Resources (PMFO)

• Planning tool for grantee governance team• Moves from design and implementation to self-

assessment and innovation

Governance System Builder

Anticipated available August 2013

17

Governance Resources (PMFO)

• E-learning training modules on governance topics

• Knowledge sharing and skill building

Governance Training Modules

Anticipated available Fall 2013

18

Governance Resources (PMFO)

• Online certification for Executive Director, Head Start Director, and Governing Body members of new grantees

• Orientation to program governance

Governance Certification

Anticipated available Summer 2014

19

HS National TA Center for PMFO

• PMFO provides user-friendly, evidence-based resources and tools that support Head Start and Early Head Start leaders, managers, and others in achieving the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and leadership in their programs.

• For additional information and support, contact the PMFO InfoLine:1-855-PMFO-OHS(1-855-763-6647)PMFOinfo@edc.org

20

Health and Safety

“Grantee must complete a health and safety assessment of each center and/or family child care home where services are provided, within 45 days of the start of the program/school year”

• Optional screening tool developed by OHS• Grantees may use a tool of their choosing but

must meet the intent

21

Health and Safety

NoA:

“The grantee governing body must submit to OHS the signed certification of compliance with all applicable health and safety requirements, within 60 days of the start of the school year.”

Certificate:“The signatures below attest that our agency has completed a health and safety screening

of each site where children receive Head Start/Early Head Start services, consistent with the terms and conditions of the Notice of Award (NoA).

Our agency commits to maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.”

22

What it looks like:23

Head Start Health and Safety Screener

• The Health and Safety Screening focuses attention on the most immediate indicators of potential threats to children’s health and safety.

Hey, where are the child safety restraint systems?

• The agency’s director(s) and governing bodies should ensure that all health and safety requirements are met in the agency.

24

Head Start Health and Safety Screener

• The Screener is not inclusive of all regulations.

• The agency must comply with all Head Start Performance Standards.

25

Health and Safety Screening

Elements• Simple Directions• Certification Form• Center/Site cover page• Screening Checklist

26

Checklist Sections

• ENVIRONMENTS• HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES• SUPERVISION• TRANSPORTATION

27

Regional Office Support

• The Regional Office will follow-up with the grantee after the completion of the Health and Safety Screener.

• Regional staff will talk with the grantee about the outcome of the screener, any issue(s) and their plan for correction

• OHS expects grantees to immediately address any risk to child health and safety and will provide TA support.

28

29

Health & Safety Resources (NCH)

• Crosswalk providing recommendations for quality health and safety practices and policies

Compliance with Care: Crosswalk Between HSPPS and

Caring for Our Children

Currently Available on ECLKC

30

Health & Safety Resources (NCH)

• Fact sheets of safety tips families can use at home and in other settings, and staff can use in various program settings

Tips for Families SeriesTips for Health Managers Series

Currently Available on ECLKC

31

Health & Safety Resources (NCH)

• Strategies to ensure educators “look, listen, and engage” to make sure children of all ages explore their environments safely

Active Supervision: A Referenced Fact sheet from the Head Start

National Center on Health

Currently available on ECLKC

32

Health & Safety Resources (NCH)

• Resource guide defining injury prevention; provides websites, campaigns, fact sheets, and resources emphasizing strengths-based strategies

What is Injury Prevention

Currently available on ECLKC

33

Health & Safety Resources (NCH)

• Resource and action planning guide to support programs in creating a culture of safety

10 Actions to Create a Culture of Safety

Anticipated available July 2013

34

HS National TA Center for Health

• For more information about health services in Head Start, send your questions and requests to nchinfo@aap.org or call 1-888-227-5125 (toll-free).

• If you have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services by dialing 911. For concerns about child abuse and neglect, contact the responsible investigating agency: State Child Abuse Reporting Numbers .

Thank You

You play an important role• ensuring that children In Head Start are safe;

and • that they are getting the best early childhood

services this nation has to offer.

35

Q&A

Questions?

36