What's New

OHS–PC–B–047 -- Why, for a child at or older than 12 months and at or younger than 24 months, are two blood lead tests required?

OHS–PC–B–048 -- What must Early Head Start and Head Start programs do to meet the requirements for screening of children for lead poisoning?

OHS–PC–K–028 -- Does a grantee that operates both a Head Start and Early Head Start Program have to reach 10% enrollment of children with disabilities in each of the programs or is the 10% requirement applied to the combined enrollment of the two programs?

December 10, 2008

Letter from Patricia Brown to Tribal Consultation Participants [PDF, 69KB]

Head Start Tribal Consultation, Executive Report [PDF, 632KB]

December 04, 2008

A Head Start on Picturing America (ACF–IM–HS–08–22)

December 1, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–E–026 — We have the following questions regarding the governing body licensed attorney requirement:

Does "licensed attorney" include an attorney who is licensed in a state other than the one in which the Head Start program is located?

Does "licensed attorney" include an attorney who is retired, and registered with the state bar but no longer required to maintain continuing legal education courses?

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November 20, 2008

The Importance of Teacher-Child Relationships in Head Start (ACF–IM–HS–08–21)

November 18, 2008

Vision Screening Resources (ACF–IM–HS–08–20)

Head Start Program Performance Standard 1304.20(b)(1) requires that all Head Start and Early Head Start children are screened for potential concerns with regard to vision within the first 45 days of entry into Head Start. In order to assist and support programs in their efforts to accurately screen children for vision concerns and follow up on these concerns, the Office of Head Start (OHS) and Prevent Blindness America (PBA) have entered into a partnership.

November 4, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–A–076 — Is in-kind allowable for the person who baby-sits while the Head Start mother volunteers in the classroom?

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October 29, 2008

2008 Innovation and Improvement Project Grants

The Office of Head Start (OHS) has awarded 28 Innovation and Improvement Project grants that address the promotion of promising practices in Head Start programs and other priorities that meet needs related to the comprehensive nature of Head Start.

October 29, 2008

Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

In FY 2009, regional trainings will be conducted on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) instrument for use in professional development and quality improvement. While not mandatory, all costs for the 3–day session will be covered by the Office of Head Start. Select this link to register: http://www.hsnrc.org/CLASS0809/?zid=38

The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 requires the Office of Head Start (OHS) to include a valid and reliable instrument for assessing classroom quality in the monitoring reviews of Head Start agencies. The assessment includes multiple dimensions of teacher-child interactions with an eye to positive child outcomes and achievement. The CLASS assesses interactions between children and teachers in three domains of classroom quality: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.

The CLASS has been developed at the University of Virginia to assess quality in preschool classrooms. It has been validated in over 2,000 preschool classrooms and is suitable for use as assessment of classroom quality in Head Start. Grantees are not required to use the CLASS in their programs or to purchase CLASS materials.

The trainings, three full days in length, are designed for staff with supervisory and professional development responsibilities, e.g., education coordinators. The training will give participants the capacity to use the CLASS instrument to assess and improve classroom quality in their programs.

The first two days of training will be on the CLASS instrument to establish appropriate inter-rater reliability. The third day will focus on using the instrument in professional development. Participants will receive a CLASS manual and other materials as well as access to professional development materials for use in their programs.

Head Start programs serving less than 500 children will be able to send one staff member to these trainings. Programs serving between 500 and 1,000 children will be able to send two staff members; those with 1,001–2,000 children will be able to send three staff members; and programs serving more than 2,000 children will be able to send four staff members. All participants should have responsibility for classroom observation, supervision, and/or professional development of teaching staff.

The trainings will begin late fall in 2008 and continue through the summer of 2009. Regional Offices will be in contact with programs on the specifics of this training opportunity, including times and locations of training sessions in regions. Webcasts and conference sessions are additional opportunities for directors and staff to learn about the instrument.

In addition, OHS will pilot the CLASS as part of monitoring in a sample of grantees undergoing their triennial review in 2009, consistent with reauthorization. The purpose of the pilot is to determine if the CLASS is an appropriate instrument to satisfy the requirements of reauthorization. The results of the CLASS pilot study will be shared with grantees after the review.

October 29, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS–PC–E–025 — Do community representatives on the Policy Council now have to be elected by the parents?

OHS–PC–K–027 — Can Head Start programs count, for purposes of meeting the 10% actual enrollment requirement, children who have an individualized education program (IEP) developed solely by the Head Start program?

October 29, 2008

Timelines for Filling Vacancies in Enrollment Slots (ACF–PI–HS–08–05) SUSPENDED

October 23, 2008

Automatic Eligibility for Free Meal Benefits Extended to All Children Enrolled In Head Start (ACF–IM–HS–08–19)

October 14, 2008

Memorandum of Understanding with Local Entity Responsible for Managing Publicly Funded Preschool Programs (ACF–IM–HS–08–18)

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September 23, 2008

Dual Language Institute—Funding Support (ACF–IM–HS–08–17)

September 19, 2008

Project SOLAR—T/TA and Staff Development Planning Tool (ACF–IM–HS–08–16)

September 18, 2008

Monthly Enrollment Reporting (ACF–PI–HS–08–06)

September 10, 2008

Policy Clarification

The following Policy Clarifications have been revised:

OHS–PC–A–069 — Our tribe’s policy allows employees to donate their leave to one another based upon emergent need. We determined that Head Start staff could not donate leave as we would be spending Head Start funds for a person that would not be contributing anything to the program. However, we have a Head Start employee who is requesting donated leave, and I’m wondering if it would be allowable for our Head Start staff to donate leave to her.

OHS–PC–A–075 — Can Head Start programs count speech services that local school systems are required to provide to children eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), at no charge to Head Start, as non-federal share (in-kind donation)?

September 9, 2008

Distribution of Public Alert Radios to Head Start Programs (ACF–IM–HS–08–15)

September 9, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–A–075 — Can Head Start programs count speech services that local school systems are required to provide to children eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), at no charge to Head Start, as non-federal share (in-kind donation)?

September 4, 2008

Timelines for Filling Vacancies in Enrollment Slots (ACF–PI–HS–08–05)

Criminal Record Checks (ACF–PI–HS–08–04)

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August 27, 2008

Invitation to the Office of Head Start National Dual Language Institute: A Time for Action (ACF–IM–HS–08–14)

August 26, 2008

I Am Moving I Am Learning (ACF–IM–HS–08–13)

August 20, 2008

Statutory Degree and Credentialing Requirements for Head Start Teaching Staff (ACF–IM–HS–08–12)

The document discusses the statutory requirements related to teacher qualifications for center-based Head Start and Early Head Start, including the current requirements, the requirements as of October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2013. Coursework requirements, teaching experience for non-early childhood degree holders, and qualification requirements for education coordinators are also discussed, for both Head Start and Early Head Start teachers.

August 20, 2008

Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) (ACF–IM–HS–08–11)

The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 requires that Office of Head Start (OHS) include in the monitoring reviews of Head Start Agencies a valid and reliable research-based instrument to assess classroom quality and teacher-child interactions. One such instrument, Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) was suggested in the conference report accompanying the Act for this purpose. Grantees are not required to use or purchase CLASS materials for their programs. Beginning early in FY 2009, regionally based trainings will be conducted to explore how the instrument can be used by programs in professional development and quality improvement efforts.

August 18, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been revised:

OHS–PC–L–023 — What restraint requirements must be met for a child weighing over 50 pounds riding a Head Start school bus?

August 11, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS-PC-L-023 -- What restraint requirements must be met for a child weighing over 50 pounds riding a Head Start school bus?

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July 31, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-H-005 -- Are helmets required when using small trikes and/or group strollers?

OHS-PC-H-006 -- Are Head Start Programs required to have annual playground safety trainings even though it is not required by the state where they are located?

OHS-PC-J-041 -- Can home visits begin on the first day of the program year?

OHS-PC-J-042 -- If a family’s weekly home visit is scheduled for the same day as socialization and the family attends the socialization, can their attendance at the socialization also be counted as a weekly home-visit?

July 28, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been revised:

OHS-PC-A-065 -- Under the Head Start Act, may Head Start facilities be used as polling sites for national or local elections?

July 21, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-A-072 -- Can a Delegate Agency use unobligated funds (carryover) from the prior fiscal year in the next fiscal year?

OHS-PC-A-073 -- What happens when more than one grantee agency claims to be the appropriate grantee agency for a service area?

OHS-PC-A-074 -- Is it true that I am required to submit a budget revision requesting prior approval if I transfer 10 percent or more from one budget category to another?

OHS-PC-E-024 -- May a governing body form an advisory committee (or sub-board) to oversee responsibilities related to program governance?

July 17, 2008

New Collaboration to Promote Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood

On June 17, 2008, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of developing partnerships with organizations in support of the Healthy Marriage (HMI) and Responsible Fatherhood (RFI) Initiatives. The Office of Head Start (OHS) has invested over $40 million to provide voluntary marriage education services for the next five years. Highlights of the agreement include facilitation of outreach, technical assistance, training and education, best practice models and profile summaries, and effective communication.

July 15, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-A-069 -- Our tribe's policy allows employees to donate their leave to one another based upon emergent need. We determined that Head Start staff could not donate leave as we would be spending Head Start funds for a person that would not be contributing anything to the program. However, we have a Head Start employee who is requesting donated leave, and I'm wondering if it would be allowable for our Head Start staff to donate leave to her.

OHS-PC-A-070 -- I have been told interest costs allowable under a Head Start grant are very limited, even more limited than one might expect from a reading of 2CFR parts 220, App. A,(J)(26) (Educational Institutions), 225, App B, (23) (State, Indian or local government) or 230, App. B (23) (non-profits). Is that correct?

OHS-PC-A-071 -- Is it acceptable to use program funds to place an ad for enrollment in local newspapers?

OHS-PC-B-046 -- Are there any performance standards that address prohibiting a child that has behavioral and safety concerns from attending field trips?

OHS-PC-C-008 -- Are Head Start programs required to provide field trips to the children?

OHS-PC-G-020 -- What are the requirements for performance reviews and professional development? How are they related?

OHS-PC-G-021 -- We have a collective bargaining agreement that requires that staff have a written performance review and appraisal every two years. How can we meet the annual performance appraisal requirement when our collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow us to conduct an appraisal annually?

OHS-PC-K-026 -- Are there any performance standards that address prohibiting a child that has behavioral and safety concerns from attending field trips?

One Policy Clarification has been revised:

OHS-PC-A-010 -- Can a Head Start program have a graduation ceremony for their children at the end of the year?

July 1, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-F-007 -- If the Head Start agency's service plan is written comprehensively enough to include all procedures that are required by the Performance Standards and other state and federal guidelines, is it still necessary to develop a separate disability service plan?

OHS-PC-K-025 -- If the Head Start agency's service plan is written comprehensively enough to include all procedures that are required by the Performance Standards and other state and federal guidelines, is it still necessary to develop a separate disability service plan?

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June 30, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–A–068 -- May we use electronic signatures on checks?

June 25, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–J–040 -- Do parent/teacher conference days and teacher home visit days count toward the planned days of service per year requirements?

June 17, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS–PC–L–022 -- If a bus monitor leaves the bus to pick up or deliver a child to their home or center, does this create a child/monitor ratio problem on the bus even if the driver is still on the bus? If a parent has a disability and is unable to bring their child to the curb for transportation pickup, can we refuse to provide transportation?

June 16, 2008

American Art Provides Tool for Head Start Outcomes

Picturing America is a set of 40 images of American works of art: paintings, photographs, architecture and crafts that illustrate the breadth of the American experience.

The Office of Head Start is partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide Picturing America to every Head Start center in the United States. Suggested teacher and parent activities for Picturing America are being developed for the Head Start community. The activities will use the sets of 2'x3' laminated posters as a tool for achieving current Head Start child outcomes.

For more information on Picturing America, visit http://picturingamerica.neh.gov. Please note: Head Start centers should not fill out an application – that step is for K-12 and public libraries.

Picturing America will be provided to all Head Start centers through grantees, beginning November 2008.

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May 28, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS-PC-I-087 -- We have some families that either lack documentation that could be used to determine family income or have documentation that does not seem to be accurate. How should we handle this type of situation?

May 20, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-A-066 -- Do we make our own criminal records check policy or follow state law?

OHS-PC-A-067 -- Is a name check okay or must fingerprinting be done for criminal records checks?

OHS-PC-J-037 -- Under the section on "Staff qualifications and training", there are references to EHS and HS teachers, but I wasn't sure if there were instances where reference to HS teachers may relate to both EHS and HS teachers. E.g., When it indicates that "all Head Start teachers must, by October 1, 2011, have at least an AA degree..." does this read as HS only, or imply EHS teachers as well? Thank you.

OHS-PC-J-038 -- Do we make our own criminal records check policy or follow state law?

OHS-PC-J-039 -- Is a name check okay or must fingerprinting be done for criminal records checks?

May 12, 2008

Head Start Program Information Report, 2007-2008 (ACF-IM-HS-08-10)

The 2007-2008 Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data collection will begin Monday, May 12th. All Head Start and Early Head Start grant holders and delegate agencies that served children for any length of time during the enrollment year are required to submit a PIR by August 29, 2008. All programs are required to submit the PIR through the online PIR Reporting System at: https://www.pirweb.net.

The deadline for submission of the 2008 PIR is August 29, 2008.

Statutory Requirement regarding compensation of Head Start staff (ACF-PI-HS-08-03)

The new Head Start Act, Section 653, limits the compensation of Head Start staff. The new language precludes use of any Federal funds to pay any part of the compensation of an individual employed by a Head Start agency whose compensation exceeds the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule, which is currently $172,200. While similar language regarding compensation limitations was included in the last few Head Start appropriations bills, some of the requirements of Section 653 are different from previous requirements.

May 8, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-G-018 -- What are the educational qualifications of an EHS home visitor?

OHS-PC-G-019 -- What, if any, are the degree requirements for Early Head Start Teachers? Is it required they have a CDA in infant and toddler along with an Associate or Bachelor Degree? Does the Degree have to be in Early Childhood Education?

OHS-PC-J-035 -- Do you have to have an associate's degree to teach Head Start?

OHS-PC-J-036 -- Realizing that it will take some time before everyone is familiar with all the details of the re-authorization act passed in December, I have a specific question regarding staff credentials for EHS teachers. The reauthorization indicates that all EHS instructional personnel must have, at a minimum, their Child Development Associate credential. It furthers states that:

Nationally, 50% of HS teachers to have B.S. by 9/30/13

Classrooms w/o B.S.-qualified teacher must have AA by 9/30/11

Are these two provisions specifically required of Head Start teachers? Are they also required of EHS teachers? The regulations and all subsequent communications do not clearly articulate the differences. As a stand-alone EHS grantee, we need to know what applies only to EHS and what applies to both EHS and HS.

OHS-PC-I-086 -- What type of living situation typically qualifies a child to be "homeless"? Also, what is the definition of "substandard housing"?

May 5, 2008

Digital TV Transition

On February 17, 2009, all television stations will begin broadcasting in digital. This switch from analog to digital may affect how we currently watch television. Head Start Family Service Workers may use this information provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise awareness of this change and to explain how the change may impact television viewing for Head Start families.

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April 29, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-J-033 -- The new Head Start Act states that Early Head Start (EHS) teachers must have "a minimum of a child development associate credential, and have been trained in early childhood development" and that "teachers have been trained in early childhood development with focus on infant and toddler development." The teachers in our EHS program all have a BS in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field, such as child development. In addition to this, all staff who do not have documented training in infant/toddler development are required to take an infant/toddler development course. Since a BS is a more advanced degree than a CDA are our teachers still required to obtain a CDA in addition to their BS?

OHS-PC-J-034 -- I am a Program Manager. I would like clarification on the reauthorization requirement that states if teachers receive financial assistance for college that they must agree to work for 3 years or repay. Does this just refer to teachers who are earning their Bachelors or Associates degree also?

OHS-PC-K-024 -- As a disabilities coordinator, I am very involved in ensuring that each child with an IEP has a "disabilities file." Are there any regulations on what needs to be in that file and which documents must be on site, i.e. evaluations IEPs, etc.?

OHS-PC-L-021 -- If Pedestrian Safety Training is provided to parents and children within the first 30 days of the program year - is the program required to provide the same, on an individual basis, for all late enrollees?

April 16, 2008

Availability of FY 2008 One-time Training and Technical Assistance Funding (ACF-IM-HS-08-09)

To help agencies meet the new staff qualifications requirements (Section 648A(a) of the new Head Start Act), the Office of Head Start is making available to grantees on a one-time basis a little more than $5 million in Head Start T/TA funding (PA 20). Grantees may apply for a portion of these funds by submitting a supplemental funding application to their OHS Regional Offices by June 2, 2008.

April 14, 2008

Background Checks (ACF-PI-HS-08-02)

The new Head Start Act of Dec. 12, 2007, Section 648A(g), requires that all Head Start agencies conduct an interview, reference check, and a criminal record check for all their permanent employees. Failure to do so will result in the grantee being designated a deficient grantee. This requirement corresponds to the existing regulatory requirement found in CFR Part 1301.31(b).

April 11, 2008

Policy Clarification

One policy clarification has been added:

OHS-PC-I-085 -- What is required for documenting/proving homelessness?

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March 25, 2008

New Categorized Policy Clarifications

The Policy Clarifications are now categorized as "Requirement" or "Informal Guidance"

The Policy Clarification system was established to provide answers to individuals with specific questions about the Head Start program. In general, the questions and answers typically fall into one of two categories:

The first category, Requirement, is where an individual requests clarification of the meaning of requirements that exist in statute or regulation.
The second category, Informal Guidance, is where an individual requests clarification concerning a particular issue not addressed in statute or regulation.

Category One: Requirement

Individual requests for clarification of existing requirements often ask the Office of Head Start (OHS) if or how a requirement applies to a particular situation facing a grantee. There are two related but distinct parts to this category:

where the statutory or regulatory language has a specific requirement that must be adhered to by all Head Start programs;
where there is relevant statutory or regulatory language, but the requirement allows the grantee some degree of discretion.

Answers to all questions in this category will contain one or more statutory/regulatory citation(s) below the narrative under the statement "Requirement".

Example of Requirement allowing no grantee discretion:

This example shows an answer where the statutory or regulatory language has a specific requirement that must be adhered to by all Head Start programs. Grantees have no discretion on whether or not to comply with this requirement - compliance is a condition of receiving Head Start grant funds.

Answers to these questions will restate the statutory or regulatory language using exactly the same words, or use other words to paraphrase and/or provide examples for the purpose of clarifying the meaning for the reader. If the inquirer has described a particular set of circumstances, the answer may relate the statute or regulation to the situation presented in the question.

One or more statutory/regulatory citations(s) appear below the narrative under the "Requirement" heading.

OHS - PC - D - 006
How should a Head Start program value parent volunteer time for purposes of claiming non-federal share?

Under 2 CFR 215.23 (d), 45 CFR 92.24 (b) (7), and 92.24 (c) (1), the value of the time should be equal to what it would have cost the program to employ someone to do the task for which the parent had volunteered. (It is important to note that for something to be allowable as non-federal it needs to be something for which grant funds could have been used). For example, if a parent is volunteering in the classroom, that parent is, in effect, functioning as a second teacher assistant and the average hourly rate for an assistant in that program (salary and benefits) would be a reasonable charge. If a parent volunteered to help paint the exterior of a Head Start center, than the program can fairly charge as non-federal what it would have cost to hire a painter to do the same work. Programs must ensure that all parent volunteer time is adequately documented.

Requirement
2 CFR 215.23 (d), 45 CFR 92.24 (b) (7), and 92.24 (c) (1)

Example of Requirement allowing some grantee discretion:

The second part of this category involves questions where there is relevant statutory or regulatory language, but the requirement allows the grantee some degree of discretion. For example, it does not mandate that the grantee engage in a specific action or achieve a specified result. Still, the statutory and/or regulatory basis with be included below the statement "Requirement".

OHS - PC - I - 040
Is there a maximum income limitation for families that exceed the low-income guidelines but fall within the up to ten percent of children that may also be selected for Head Start?

No. There is no maximum income limitation for those families as long as the family meets the criteria that the Head Start program has established for selecting such children and the child would benefit from Head Start.

Requirement
45 CFR 1305.4 (b); 45 CFR 1305.6 (a)

Category Two: Informal Guidance

The second category is where an individual's question concerns a particular issue, which is not addressed in statute or regulation. Answers to questions in this category provide informal Office of Head Start guidance to the individual making the request. These answers are not binding and do not require any specific course of action be followed. Grantees have full discretion in this category. Answers to questions in this category will not contain statutory/regulatory citation(s) below the narrative, but just the statement: "Informal Guidance".

Example of Informal Guidance:

OHS - PC - C -006
What is the Office of Head Start's stance on having the children go outside everyday, even in weather that is really cold or hot?

The Head Start Program Performance Standard 1304.21(a)(5)(i)) requires that grantees provide "sufficient time, indoor and outdoor space, equipment, materials and adult guidance... [to] support the development of gross motor skills". There is not sufficient space in most classrooms for the types of equipment, materials and experiences that children need in the area of gross motor development and, therefore, most programs will need to take their children outdoors regularly. The decision about how frequently and for how long children play outside and the decision about whether on certain days children should stay indoors is one local programs need to make. Grantees are encouraged to establish policies on extreme heat and cold thresholds and on such health risks as lightning or poor air quality. Grantees should consider that some children; i.e. an asthmatic child, may have different needs in terms of, for example, air quality than other children in the program and individual children's needs should be appropriately addressed.

Informal Guidance

Potential Re-consideration of Issued Policy Clarifications

The Office of Head Start (OHS) recognizes that the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-134) contains provisions that may necessitate re-consideration of some of the Policy Clarifications. OHS will make revisions, as appropriate, in the coming months.

March 21, 2008

Head Start FY 2008 Appropriation (ACF-PI-HS-08-01)

Although the FY 2008 Head Start appropriations are reduced in comparison to the FY 2007 appropriations, no grantee will receive a funding reduction because of that shortfall.

March 20, 2008

Partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (ACF-IM-HS-08-08)

In January of 2007, the Office of Head Start and the Environmental Protection Agency agreed to work together to improve the health and well-being of Head Start children under a national outreach campaign, "Care for Their Air." The initiative focuses on raising awareness of the effects of secondhand smoke on children. The Information Memorandum presents strategies that Head Start programs can employ to implement Smoke Free Home project, such as Community Assessment, Family Partnership Agreement, Child Health Records and Home Visits.

March 20, 2008

Lead Screening (ACF-IM-HS-08-07)

Lead exposure and poisoning remains a serious environmental health hazard, especially for low-income families. The Information Memorandum presents factors that Head Start programs must consider to ensure all Head Start children are screened for lead content levels. It also provides housekeeping and nutrition tips, as well as information about other available resources.

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February 12, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS-PC-J-032 -- When are Head Start agencies required to ensure teachers pay back financial assistance if the teacher leaves before teaching for 3 years after receiving a degree?

February 11, 2008

Policy Clarification

One Policy Clarification has been added:

OHS-PC-A-065 -- Under the Head Start Act, may Head Start facilities be used as polling sites for national or local elections?

February 8, 2007

The 2008 Family Income Guidelines (ACF-IM-HS-08-05-R)

This Information Memorandum supersedes ACF-IM-HS-08-05. Children are eligible to participate in Head Start if they are from families with incomes below the federal poverty level or if their families are eligible for public assistance. The 2008 Family Income Guidelines must be used to determine eligibility for Head Start for families who are eligible because they have low incomes.

February 6, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-B-045 -- May the required parental consent for non-emergency intrusive physical examinations required by sec. 657A of the Head Start Act be obtained as part of a blanket permission at the time of the application for Head Start services?

OHS-PC-E-022 -- Are tribal governments exempt or excluded from the governing body composition requirements?

OHS-PC-E-023 -- Concerning the new requirements for Board Members, what constitutes a background and expertise? Do they have to have a Bachelor degree in the area or work experience or what?

February 5, 2007

Head Start Risk Management Process (ACF-IM-HS-08-06)

The Office of Head Start is implementing a Risk Management Process (RMP), integrating the funding, monitoring, and technical assistance processes for all grantees to become fully operational in April 2008. The RMP, repeated each year about seven months in advance of funding continuation, includes a central component to the process, the Risk Management Meeting (RMM), to recognize grantees' strengths, identify areas that need improvements and develop plans to address such needs. Key grantee staff is encouraged to participate, as are state partners and CSBG representatives.

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January 23, 2008

Head Start Reauthorization: Effective dates (ACF-IM-HS-08-04)

On December 12, 2007, the President signed a bill reauthorizing the Head Start program (P.L. 110-134). This Information Memorandum discusses the effective dates of some of the new provisions included in this law.

January 23, 2008

Head Start Reauthorization: Two new provisions (ACF-IM-HS-08-03)

Two new provisions included in P.L. 110-134 related to the reauthorization of the Head Start program are discussed in this Information Memorandum.

January 23, 2008

Head Start Reauthorization Resources

The ECLKC now includes a prominent section on Head Start Reauthorization.

Questions related to one or more of the new provisions of the amended Head Start Act may be submitted to the Office of Head Start here. The Office of Head Start will make every attempt to provide timely responses to those questions we are able to answer, recognizing, however, that not all policy decisions related to the new Act have been made and there may, therefore, be questions for which no answer can be provided at the current time.

For your convenience, answers will be posted on the ECLKC in two places - in the Head Start Reauthorization Related Questions and Answers section and in the Policy Clarifications section.

Please check back frequently. New questions and answers will be posted as they become available. OHS will not send individual email updates for each answer posted.

January 18, 2008

Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, Spanish Resources (ACF-IM-HS-08-02)

The Office of Head Start is pleased to announce the launch of a new Spanish site map and additional resources in Spanish on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC).

January 14, 2008

What's New - Head Start Act as Amended

The Head Start Act as amended is now available on the ECLKC with all new changes included in the text. In addition, a PDF version is available for viewing or download in which changes originating from the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-134) appear in bold.

January 8, 2008

Addition of family child care as a Head Start and Early Head Start program option. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Federal Register: January 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 5) Page 1285-1297
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E7-25462.htm

This final rule implements the addition of family child care as a Head Start and Early Head Start program option. Family child care is care and education provided to children in a private home or other family-like setting. In keeping with the goal of designing programs that meet family and community needs, some Head Start and Early Head Start agencies have identified family child care as an effective Head Start service delivery model.

This regulation takes effect on February 7, 2008.

January 7, 2008

Policy Clarifications

New Policy Clarifications have been added:

OHS-PC-B-044 -- Are Head Start Programs required to accommodate a parent's request that their child be served vegetarian meals while in Head Start?

OHS-PC-D-024 -- I have a parent who is refusing a Home Visit and lives within walking distance of our program. She even went as far as sending us a notarized letter stating that she is forbidding any Head Start staff from coming to her house although we have explained the Head Start mandate on Home Visits and the benefits of a Home Visit. Can this child still be in Head Start? Are Home Visits required? What if we do not have the required two home visits on this child?

OHS-PC-J-028 -- I have a parent who is refusing a Home Visit and lives within walking distance of our program. She even went as far as sending us a notarized letter stating that she is forbidding any Head Start staff from coming to her house although we have explained the Head Start mandate on Home Visits and the benefits of a Home Visit. Can this child still be in Head Start? Are Home Visits required? What if we do not have the required two home visits on this child?

OHS-PC-J-029 -- Is there any policy regarding a home-based family who never attends socializations?

OHS-PC-J-030 -- Are home-based visit reports required with a parent signature?

OHS-PC-K-023 -- If transportation is not listed as a "related service" on a child's IEP, must a program provide transportation for that child when he or she resides in an area where the program does not typically provide transportation?

January 4, 2008

Head Start Reauthorization: P.L. 110-134 (ACF-IM-HS-08-01)

On December 12, 2007, President Bush signed "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007", reauthorizing the Head Start program. Public Law 110-134 authorizes Head Start through September 30, 2012. This law contains significant revisions to the previous Head Start Act. Attached is an Information Memorandum that contains some of the major requirements in this Act that have an impact on Head Start programs.

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