ORO Functional Statement

Administration for Children and Families

Chapter KU

OFFICE OF HEAD START

71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06

KU.00 Mission

KU.10 Organization

KU.20 Functions

KU.00 Mission [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]. The Office of Head Start (OHS) advises the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on issues regarding the Head Start program (including Early Head Start). The Office develops legislative and budgetary proposals; identifies areas for research, demonstration and developmental activities; presents operational planning objectives and initiatives relating to Head Start to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families; and oversees the progress of approved activities. It provides leadership and coordination for the activities of the Head Start program in the ACF Central Office including the Head Start Regional Program Units, The Office represents Head Start in inter-agency activities with other Federal and non-Federal organizations.

KU.10 Organization [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]. The Office of Head Start is headed by a Director who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families and consists of the following components:

Immediate Office of Head Start (KUA)
Program Operations Division (KUB)
Head Start Regional Program Units (KUBDI-X)
Educational Development and Partnership Division (KUC)
Quality Assurance Division (KUE)
Policy and Budget Division (KUF)

KU.20 Functions [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]. A. Immediate Office of Head Start (KUA): The Immediate Office of Head Start (KUA) serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, the Secretary, and other officials within the Department on the administration of discretionary grant programs providing Head Start Services. The Deputy Director assists the Director in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office. Within the Office, the administrative staff supports the Director and Deputy Director in: (1) Managing the formulation and execution of the budgets for OHS programs and for Federal administration; (2) serving as the focal point for operational and long-range planning; (3) functioning as Executive Secretariat for OHS, including managing correspondence, correspondence systems, and electronic mail requests; (4) providing management and administrative services and advice, by coordinating human resources activities, providing guidance on financial management activities, including budget, and as appropriate developing policy and procedures relating to these activities.

B. Program Operations Division (KUB) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]: The Program Operations Division (POD) advises the Office of Head Start Director on all strategic and operational activities related to implementation of the agency's programs in both Central and Regional Offices. POD is responsible for: (1) The American Indian and Alaska Natives and Migrant and Seasonal farm workers Head Start programs administered within Central Office which serve grantees, including Territories, Tribes, and public/private non-profit agencies, and is responsible for: (a) Managing the American Indian and Alaska Native and migrant and seasonal farm workers Head Start programs; (b) reviewing applications for programs serving American Indian and Alaska Native children and children of migratory and seasonal farm workers; (c) monitoring and assessing the programs and assuring provision of training and technical assistance to all Head Start programs funded for the children of American Indian and Alaska Native and migrants and seasonal farm workers; (d) analyzing and ensuring consideration of the needs of American Indian and Alaska Natives and migrant and seasonal farm workers' children; and (e) coordinating with other agencies and organizations serving American Indian and Alaska Natives and migrant and seasonal farm workers' children; and (2) the Head Start regional programs administered by the Head Start Regional Program Units.

1. Head Start Regional Program Units (KUDBI-X) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]: Each Head Start Regional Program Unit is headed by a Head Start Regional Program Manager who reports to the POD, in OHS. The Regional Program Manager, through subordinate regional staff, in collaboration with program components, is responsible for: (1) Providing program and technical administration of ACF discretionary programs related OHS; (2) collaborating with OHS States Collaboration Projects on all significant policy matters; (3) providing technical assistance to entities responsible for administering OHS programs to resolve identified problems; (4) ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) working with appropriate State and local officials to develop and implement outcome-based performance measures; and (6) monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness, and ensuring that these entities conform to Federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the programs. The Head Start Regional Program Unit: (1) Guides the day-to-day management of Head Start programs in its jurisdictions; (2) provides technical assistance, resources, and information to the various entities responsible for administering these programs; and (3) represent Head Start to State, county, city, and Tribal governments, grantees, and public and private organizations.

C. Educational Development and Partnership Division (KUC) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]: The Educational Development and Partnership Division (EDPD): (1) Provides technical expertise in the areas of Head Start education from birth to age five, health (medical, dental, mental health, and nutrition), family and community partnerships, parent involvement, and disability services for Head Start program staff; (2) recommends and establishes policy in these areas; (3) recommends strategies for achieving quality services; (4) develops guidance, and other policy materials aimed at improving grantee performance; (5) develops areas for research and demonstration activities to improve the quality and levels of services provided to Head Start children; (6) manages discretionary projects; and (7) develops training and technical assistance strategies to improve the Head Start programs' performance in specific component areas.

D. Quality Assurance Division (KUE) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]: The Quality Assurance Division (QAD):(1) Develops and coordinates program and administrative management regulations and policy for the Head Start program, provides guidance to the Head Start Regional Program Units in carrying out these policies and monitors their implementation; (2) designs and oversees a national system for program monitoring and quality improvement and manages discretionary projects that are designed to investigate and improve the operation and management of the Head Start program; (3) plans and manages training and technical assistance activities in Head Start; and (4) manages national data collection and analysis for the Head Start program.

E. Policy and Budget Division (KUF) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]: The Policy and Budget Division (PBD): (1) Provides leadership in the development of regulations, budget, and policy, ensuring consistency in these areas with ACF's and the Department's vision and goals; (2) is responsible for budget development and budget execution, policy development and interpretation of any legislation impacting the Head Start program and for the Office of Head Start's regulatory agenda; and (3) serves as the primary contact for ACF on all legislative, budget development and execution, and regulatory activities related to Head Start.

As of June 8, 2007