ACF
Administration for Children and Families |
U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
1. Log No. ACF-IM-HS-08-16 |
2. Issuance Date: 09/19/08 |
3. Originating Office: Office of Head Start |
4. Key Words: T/TA Plans, Staff Development, SOLAR |
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO: Head Start and Early Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies
SUBJECT: Project SOLAR – T/TA and
Staff Development Planning Tool
INFORMATION:
The Office of Head Start (OHS) is pleased to announce the release
of a new resource to the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge
Center (ECLKC): Project SOLAR, which stands for Strengthening
Operations for Learning And Results. SOLAR is a set of web-based
tools designed to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs
in their training and technical assistance (T/TA) and staff
development planning. SOLAR was developed under a grant to Education
Development Center, Inc. through OHS’s Innovation and Improvement
Project Initiative.
SOLAR consists of two online tools and Frequently Asked Questions
to support Head Start and Early Head Start staff in accessing and
using the tools, as described below:
The SOLAR Profiler is a web-based
database that documents and produces reports on staff’s
proficiency in the skills required for their positions. The
Profiler allows programs to identify and track skills for six
categories of staff positions: classroom staff-preschool;
classroom staff-infants/toddlers; directors, managers, and
supervisors; family, health, and disabilities services staff; home
visitors; and support staff.
The SOLAR Planner is a downloadable
application that guides programs through the development of a T/TA
Plan.
Users of the ECLKC can download a copy of the SOLAR Planner and
printable versions of the Staff Skill Profiles. To protect the
privacy of local programs and their staff, access to the SOLAR
Profiler is protected through the ECLKC user password system.
OHS, in partnership with the Education Development Center, Inc.,
will present an orientation webinar for Head Start and Early Head
Start grantee and delegate agency directors and managers on Monday,
September 29, 2008 from 2:00–3:30 EST. Online registration will open
on September 22 at http://www.hsnrc.org and will
be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. The SOLAR web site
location and instructions on how to access SOLAR resources will be
provided during the orientation. A recording of the SOLAR
orientation webinar will be posted on the ECLKC for those who cannot
attend.
OHS encourages leaders of all Head Start and Early Head Start
programs to access and use these free, state-of-the art staff
development planning tools—especially in light of the importance of
professional development as reflected in reauthorization. For more
information, contact your T/TA Network provider in your region or
the staff at HSKIMS toll-free at 1-866-763-6481.
/Patricia E. Brown/
Patricia E. Brown
Acting
Director
Office of Head Start
See PDF version:
Project SOLAR — T/TA and Staff Development Planning Tool [PDF, 59KB]