HEAD START 101

Guam Head Start Program

Head Start History 1965 – The birth of Head Start Head Start is now middle aged!! 44 Years old. Part of the War on Poverty program Health and Human Services grant from the Office of Head Start.

Guam Head Start History Head Start programs began as a Community Action Agency Program Guam Head Start started as a summer program in 1965 and has continued for some 44 years

GDOE becomes grantee In 1974: Public law 12 -165 Act to transfer the functions and responsibilities of the Head Start Division of the Community Action Agency to an appropriate division within the Department of Education. Head Start has been part of the Elementary Division since then.

MISSION OF HEAD START To break the cycle of failure by preparing young low income children and their families to better succeed in life. To promote school readiness by enhancing social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families..

Mission: Guam Head Start Prepare: Children and families for Success Promote: Social competency and Awareness Provide: Support and Services

Objectives of Head Start Provide children with services to enhance their growth and development Strengthen families as the primary caregivers/ nurturers of their children Support families by providing opportunities for them to progress toward their goals of self sufficiency

Objectives continued. Link children and families to needed community services by strengthening collaborative partnerships. Ensure well-managed programs that involve parents in the decision making. Strengthen shared decision making with all stakeholders

Program Delivery Guam Head Start is a center based program operating 5 days per week and at least 160 days per year. 25 centers are currently based in 20 of our elementary schools Teaching staff/ student ratio 1/10 – 20 children per classroom. Must provide enrollment opportunities or at least 10% children with disabilities

Regulations Reauthorization of the Head Start Act: December 2007; Public Law 110-134 Federal Performance Standards: 45 CFR 1301 – 1311 Federal Review: Ongoing Monitoring every 3 years: we were reviewed January 2010

Systems Systems that must exist in all Head Start Agencies through all content areas Governance Planning Communication Record-keeping and Reporting Ongoing monitoring Self- Assessment Human Resources Fiscal Management ERSEA (Eligibility, Registration, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance)

Comprehensive services Content Areas Child Development and Health Services Family and Community Partnerships Program Design and Management

comprehensive services . . . for the whole child early education nutrition disabilities family services parent involvement health parenting education mental health dental services

Service Areas Education: Ongoing Assessments Individualization all children Disability Services Health / Nutrition Services Mental Health Services Family & Community Partnerships Parent Involvement

Education Services Curriculum is Developmentally appropriate Curriculums used: Creative Curriculum Second step I am moving, I am learning Standards do not conflict the Kindergarten standards Lesson plans must include: individualization, medical, dental, nutrition, mental health and parent involvement activities.

Health Services Screening: hearing, vision, physical, developmental, behavioral and lead screening. Dental Health Mental Health Nutrition Preventative health tracking and follow-up Assistance with Medical and Dental Home and follow up of treatment plans.

Screening/Assessment/ Evaluation Physical Exam, Health History, dental, vision, hearing, Nutrition history Speech & language screening. Behavior screening Fine and Gross motor skills Concepts Self Health and Social Development

Disability Services Least Restrictive Environment Dual enrollment possible Related Services provided in the classroom Interaction with same age peers Attendance at district school 10% enrollment of children with disabilities is required

FAMILY / COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Assist families in determining family strengths, needs & goals Family Partnership Agreement Refer to community resources Provide Support Home Visits

Head Start Community Partners… Government Agencies and Private Service Providers Collaborate on the provision of services as well as in the planning and implementation of programs/activities Health Services Advisory Committee

PARENT INVOLVEMENT Parent participation is important Lesson and activity planning Budget All parents and/or guardians welcome Volunteering in the classroom Parent training Parent Child activities Parent Educational goals Governance Parents’ participation is very important in a child’s Head Start experience. For this experience to be meaningful and lasting, parents must participate in the daily program and at Center Level Parent Group meetings. These monthly meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences with other parents in planning your child’s learning activities and allows parents to give their input in the planning of educational curriculum, staff and parent training, as well as the development of health and social services. Each Center Level Parent Group elects their own officers (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer) as well as a Policy Council Parent Representative and Alternate Representative. No individual should hold more than one of these positions at any time.

Parent Opportunities Training: Head Start is an option for various programs. (classroom, office, maintenance) Education: GED, Parent education/ training

Volunteers in Head Start… Parents, Family Members, JOBS, FSS, UOG & GCC Students, Community Members Welcome Parents in the DPH&SS JOBS Program or the GHURA FSS Program have the option to be placed in Head Start – Contact the Head Start Family Services Staff for more information

Average Daily Attendance Child Outcomes Record Keeping Written Curriculum Community Assessment Parent Observations comprehensive "family style" Parent Training Individualization Average Daily Attendance family driven Policy Council Systems Child Assessment PIR linguistically appropriate Screening Performance Standards toothbrushing Program Governance Annual Self-Assessment Document! Document! Document!!! Culturally Appropriate Ongoing Monitoring Center/Parent Committee

Head Start Governance

Roles and responsibilities Management: Support shared decision making Facilitate communication and information sharing between the GEPB and GHSPC Implement decisions and policies Primary Head Start management carry out the day to day activities of the program

Guam Education Policy Board “Governing Board” Board of Directors for Guam Head Start Program Carry out the requirements of shared decision making Legal responsibility Fiduciary responsibility

Guam Head Start Policy Council Actively Participate in the Shared decision making process Being involved in the planning of the program and budget and discussions before approval is sought.

What does the PC do? Work with the management staff and Guam Education Policy Board (Governing body) to: Help develop, review, and approve or disapprove the following: Grant application which includes the budget How to implement shared decision making

Continued. Goals and objectives Program activities Program planning Goals and objectives Program activities Review monthly financial statements Is the money being spent in a timely manner? Current balances Determine the criteria for recruiting, selection and enrollment priorities. Participate in the annual self assessment

Planning / discussion cycle Shared decision making.

Parents Power of shared decision making: grant writing, budget, policies, procedures Primary teacher of children Awareness of family goals and needs Advocate for family

Community Partners Serve on advisory committees such as Health Services Advisory Committee May serve on the Guam Head Start Policy Council and the Center Level Parent Groups Collaboration between programs/ projects to provide services to our community and our Head Start families.

Teacher credentials Head Start teachers must be Head Start Teacher certified and meet recertification requirements Teachers must have Early childhood Education credentials New Head Start act requires all HS teachers to have at least an AA/AS by 2011 and 50% nationwide must have a BA/BS by 2013 in Early childhood Education.

Teacher aide / assistants Head Start Act requires all to obtain at a minimum a Early Childhood Certificate by 2013 (Child Development Associate) or working towards an AA /AS in Early Childhood. Teacher aides in Head Start are not replacement 1:1 aides. They are teaching staff and work with the required adult to child ration of 1/10.

Child staff ratio By Head Start regulations the classroom needs to have 2 paid staff to work with the children. Volunteers are encouraged to add to the adult / child ratio. Head Start usually provides our own substitutes from central office for our paid staff.

Head Start Curriculum Developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum Ongoing monitoring Report 3 times / year Outcomes based: literacy, math, science, and dual language stressed Second Step Curriculum Health curriculum includes dental, nutrition, and mental health Parent involvement / parent activities included I am Moving, I am learning (physical fitness and nutrition

Teaching staff expectations Child contact includes all the curriculum pieces: social skills, meals physical fitness activities and parent child activities. Family Involvement is part of their classroom prep and afternoon activities. Home visits: 2 required and prn for issues and absences Parent involvement activities: Central Level parent Group (similar to PTO) advisior Encourage to contribute to the school community

Expectations continued Record keeping and tracking medical, dental, progress on goals and objectives for all children and families. Ongoing monitoring tool of classroom Discussing monthly activities with the Principal. There is a form to be completed and signed.

Classroom technology Each classroom should have at least one computer: goal is 2. Students use one and staff use the other. Parents are invited to use the computer too.

Head Start Budget

Federal Budget Basic Grant covers personnel costs and costs to provide comprehensive services to families and children. Amount is set by Washington DC Training and technical Assistance grant is linked to training plan and may not be transferred to the Basic costs. Amount is set by DC Supplemental grants opportunities vary from year to year. The availability and amount is set by the Office of Head Start

Funding: 2009 - 2010 Basic Grant: Salaries and operations: $ 2,168,195 Training and Technical Assistance: $41,898 COLA: $66,347 Supplemental: for training at the Region IX office: $25,000 ARRA award: COLA and Quality Improvement: $228,859. COLA: $39,895: fringe benefits, mileage, cost of living increases in operations Quality Improvement: $188,964 $94,499: professional development $94,465: classroom and curricular enhancements and renovations and minimal personnel (extension of part time aide hours)

Local budget Projected budget for 2010 $775,000 estimate: utilities, personnel, xerox,and gas School supply formulas – Each school counts our children in their census for supplies. (This seems to be area of concern)

Next year award requests: Basic grant: $2,234,542 Training and technical assistance: $43,784 COLA: $39,895 ARRA expansion: pending approval: ends September 30, 2011 Basic: $282,780 Training and technical assistance: $5,656