1. The Webinar #2: A Conversation with Head Start-State and Regional Leaders & QRIS Administrators June 15, 2011

2. What is the National Head Start Association?  The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organization that believes that every child, regardless of circumstances of birth, has the ability to succeed in life if given the opportunity that Head Start and Early Head Start (collectively “Head Start”) offer to children and their families.  NHSA is the national voice of more than 1.1 million children, 225,000 staff, and 2,800 Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the United States.

3. What is the BUILD Initiative?  Multi-state partnership of funders, agencies, policymakers and nonprofit groups  Focused on comprehensive early childhood systems  Supports 9 states directly and dozens more through our publications, TA, conferences and partnerships  Leads the QRIS National Learning Network (www.qrisnetwork.org)www.qrisnetwork.org

4. Head Start/QRIS in Arkansas Overview of Head Start participation in Arkansas State Quality Approval/Better Beginnings (launched July 2010) Advantage – strong relationship with Division of Child Care/Early Childhood Education Reciprocation Policy – eases ability of Head Start participation

5. Head Start/QRIS in Arkansas Arkansas includes reciprocity for Head Start programs (and other nationally accredited programs including NAEYC) participating in Better Beginnings (Arkansas QRIS). Reasons for reciprocity: – non-duplication of resources including financial – acknowledgement of systemic monitoring approaches that include program improvement – ability to focus resources on less resourced early childhood and school age programs

6. Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS) Includes all regulated programs Began as a Child Development Division Quality Initiative Now operates under legislatively approved rules Guided and advised by STARS Oversight Committee that includes Head Start Point-based and voluntary with financial incentives

7. Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS) Head Start participation is supported by a “stream line” STARS application – 13 HS programs are 5-star due to a high rating from the Head Start performance review process – 4 HS programs are at the 4-star level – HS partners use the “regular” STARS application – STARS rules are flexible to determine approved program/child assessments

8. Contact Information Ben Allen, Ph.D. Public Policy and Research Director National Head Start Association Email: ballen@nhsa.org Kathy Glazer Director of State Services The BUILD Initiative Email: kathyglazer@gmail.com

9. Thank You! Please complete the feedback survey you will receive immediately following the webinar!