new opportunities for serving homeless children through head start national association for the...
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New Opportunities for Serving Homeless Children New Opportunities for Serving Homeless Children Through Head StartThrough Head Start
National Association for the Education of National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & YouthHomeless Children & Youth
Pre-conference, October 31, 2008, Washington, DCPre-conference, October 31, 2008, Washington, DC
Barbara Duffield, NAEHCYBarbara Duffield, NAEHCY
Khari Garvin, NC HSSCOKhari Garvin, NC HSSCO
Grace Whitney, CT HSSCOGrace Whitney, CT HSSCO
Jill Carroll, HRA Head Start, New Britain, CTJill Carroll, HRA Head Start, New Britain, CT
Created under LBJ’s “War on Poverty” initiative ~ 1965
included other programs & initiatives like Job Corps and Community Action Agencies
Originally part of the Office of Economic Opportunity; later transferred to HEW (now HHS) ~ 1969
Intended to achieve 2 primary goals:
~ break the cycle of poverty
~ empower low-income families
“Head Start 101”
“Head Start 101”(continued)
1,600 grantees in the U.S (and U.S. territories) that serve approximately 908,000 children (age 0 to 5) annually Early Head StartEarly Head Start – pregnant women and
children ages birth to 3 years Smaller percent of overall number
Head StartHead Start – preschool aged children 3-, 4-and 5-year-olds
Vary as to number of three’s and four’s
“Head Start 101”(continued)
Head Start mandates the provision of COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES to children and families (a unique feature of the program) Health, mental health, dental and nutrition services Education and special education/disabilities services
Approximately 20% of children with IEPs served by Head Start
Family services thru Family Partnership Agreements, parent involvement and governance, fatherhood initiatives, etc.
20-25% of Head Start staff are current or former Head Start parents
Community partnerships
“Head Start 101”(continued)
Head Start is a discretionary-funded federal program Requires 20% local match Flat-funded since 2003, and then
experienced a 1% cut in 2005 Approximately 12% cut in actual dollars
over the past six years May be supplemented with state dollars
“Head Start 101”(continued)
Head Start Program OptionsHead Start Program Options Full-day/full-year School day/school year Part day/part year Home-based Model Family child care home (Home Start) Locally designed option
Head Start Act of 2007 allows programs to explore changing program designs to meet changing community needs.
“Head Start 101”(continued)
In 1968, Head Start begins funding a program that will eventually be called Sesame Street. It is a Carnegie Corporation Preschool Television Show
In 1995, the first Early Head Start grants are awarded to provide services for children birth to age three and pregnant women
Not less than 10% of each HS & EHS program’s enrollment must be children with special needs
The following families are categorically eligible for HS:
*Families receiving public assistance (e.g. TANF benefits)
*Foster children
*Homeless children
Homeless Children and the Homeless Children and the Head Start programHead Start program
Head Start’s historical commitment to addressing homelessness
Priority to serve the “neediest of the needy”
1992 IM
1993 Demonstration Project
Head Start-State Collaboration Offices
Experiences reported byExperiences reported byACF-IM-92-12ACF-IM-92-12
Compared to non-homeless children, homeless Compared to non-homeless children, homeless children tend to have:children tend to have:
Greater developmental delays (language, motor-Greater developmental delays (language, motor-development, and/or social skills)development, and/or social skills)
More learning disabilitiesMore learning disabilities More mental health problemsMore mental health problems Higher frequency of withdrawal, shyness, separation Higher frequency of withdrawal, shyness, separation
anxiety, short attention disorder, flat affect, anxiety, short attention disorder, flat affect, aggression, hoarding, anxiety in response to aggression, hoarding, anxiety in response to changes in environment or staff absences, concern changes in environment or staff absences, concern over getting enough food, and sharing toysover getting enough food, and sharing toys
More physical health problemsMore physical health problems
Guidance provided byGuidance provided byACF-IM-92-12ACF-IM-92-12
The following components were found to be The following components were found to be useful to programs in serving homeless useful to programs in serving homeless families:families: Strong support for staffStrong support for staff Strong MH services for children & families Strong MH services for children & families Structured environments for children (but w/ Structured environments for children (but w/
flexibility)flexibility) Transportation servicesTransportation services Community CollaborationsCommunity Collaborations Parent involvement opportunitiesParent involvement opportunities OthersOthers
Head Start Head Start Demonstration ProjectsDemonstration Projects
Head Start Bureau funded 16 projects in 1993Head Start Bureau funded 16 projects in 1993
Four objectives Four objectives i. enhance access of HS services to homeless familiesi. enhance access of HS services to homeless families
ii. provide services responsive to the needs of ii. provide services responsive to the needs of homeless homeless
familiesfamilies
iii. identify effective methods of addressing needsiii. identify effective methods of addressing needs
iv. implement & document replicable strategies for iv. implement & document replicable strategies for community collaborationcommunity collaboration
Funded for (3) years, with grantees offering a range Funded for (3) years, with grantees offering a range of program optionsof program options
Head Start – State Head Start – State Collaboration OfficesCollaboration Offices
The Head Start-State Collaboration Offices:
Created to give E/HS programs a voice at the State policy-making table
Created to help E/HS programs coordinate their services to improve outcomes along 8 federal priority areas
Child Care Health Services (all aspects) Disabilities Services Welfare/Child WelfareFamily Literacy Community Service ActivitiesHOMELESSNESS Education/Collaborating w/Pre-K
Websites www.osr.nc.gov/HeadStart
Phone 919.431.2005 860-424-5066
Head Start Reauthorization: Public Law 110-134
““Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007” 2007” signedsigned in December 2007 in December 2007
New provisions for serving homeless children and New provisions for serving homeless children and familiesfamilies
IMs and FAQs can be found on the OHS Early IMs and FAQs can be found on the OHS Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
Summary of provisions relating to homeless children Summary of provisions relating to homeless children and youth – and youth – www.naehcy.org
Setting the Context: Defining Homelessness
The newly reauthorized Head Start Act includes a definition of homelessness that matches the definition of homelessness in the education subtitle of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which governs public schools
Identical definition is in the Child Nutrition Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Violence Against Women Act
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless programs use a more restrictive definition (but changes are pending)
Impact on Head Start programs: Impact on Head Start programs:
EE.R.S.E.A..R.S.E.A.
E.R.S.E.A E.R.S.E.A = = EEligibility, ligibility, RRecruitment, ecruitment, SSelection, election, EEnrollment, & nrollment, & AAttendancettendance
EligibilityEligibility Homeless children are categorically eligible for Head Start -
42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)(B)
Verification of homeless living situation suffices for eligibility (i.e. no documentation of income required)
o Under McKinney-Vento, determinations of eligibility are case-by-case, individualized (see NCHE brief)
NCHE’s Determining Eligibility brief is available at: NCHE’s Determining Eligibility brief is available at:
http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/det_elig.pdfhttp://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/det_elig.pdf
Homeless children are eligible for Head Start, Homeless children are eligible for Head Start, regardlessregardless ofof
incomeincome and… and…
1. Head Start programs can continue to serve 10% of their enrollment 1. Head Start programs can continue to serve 10% of their enrollment with children over the poverty line. with children over the poverty line.
2. Also, Head Start programs may serve an additional 35% with 2. Also, Head Start programs may serve an additional 35% with children from families with incomes up to 130% of poverty. children from families with incomes up to 130% of poverty.
However, to exercise these options Head Start programs However, to exercise these options Head Start programs
must demonstrate that they are doing outreach to, prioritizing, must demonstrate that they are doing outreach to, prioritizing, and and meeting the needs of children who are homeless and children meeting the needs of children who are homeless and children
from from families with incomes below poverty.families with incomes below poverty.
This provision is in effect immediately [ACF-IM-HS-08-03]This provision is in effect immediately [ACF-IM-HS-08-03]
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
EligibilityEligibility (cont’d) (cont’d)
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
Recruitment & SelectionRecruitment & Selection
RecruitmentRecruitment Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by….Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by…. Helping HS programs identify younger siblings of school-age children
who are homeless Sharing target locations in Head Start service areas where homeless
families live Referring eligible families to the local Head Start program
SelectionSelectionHomeless Liaisons should understand…Homeless Liaisons should understand… That HS programs must prioritize homeless families for enrollmentThat HS programs must prioritize homeless families for enrollment What “categorical eligibility” means with regard to “selection”What “categorical eligibility” means with regard to “selection” Head Start selection protocolsHead Start selection protocols
selection criteria and point systemselection criteria and point system
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
Enrollment Enrollment
EnrollmentEnrollment
Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by….Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by….
Providing guidance on re-tooling enrollment applications
including questions that help determine including questions that help determine homeless status, but are “family-friendly”homeless status, but are “family-friendly”
Understanding the differences in the definition of Understanding the differences in the definition of “enrollment” by Head Start and M-V Act“enrollment” by Head Start and M-V Act
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
Enrollment Enrollment (cont’d)(cont’d)
Requires Secretary of HHS to issue regulations to remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of homeless children, including requiring Head Start agencies:
1) to implement policies and procedures to ensure that homeless children are identified and prioritized for enrollment;
2) to allow families of homeless children to apply to, enroll in, and attend Head Start programs while required documents are obtained within a reasonable time frame; and
3) to coordinate individual Head Start programs with efforts to implement subtitle B of title VIII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
Enrollment Enrollment (cont’d)(cont’d)
Head Start grantees must maintain an “active” wait list and conduct outreach and activities to identify underserved populations - 42 U.S.C. 9837(g)
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
Enrollment Enrollment (cont’d)(cont’d)
If, after receiving technical assistance and developing and implementing a plan for reducing under-enrollment, a Head Start agency still operates with less than 97 percent enrollment, the Secretary of HHS may recapture or withhold funds.
However, the Secretary of HHS can waive or reduce funding reductions if causes of
enrollment shortfalls include serving significant numbers of highly mobile children; the shortfall is not significant; or the shortfall can reasonably be expected to be temporary. 42 U.S.C. 9836a(h)
Impact on Head Start Programs:Impact on Head Start Programs:
AttendanceAttendance
AttendanceAttendance
Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by….Homeless Liaisons can assist HS programs by…. Trouble-shooting strategies to increase and/or Trouble-shooting strategies to increase and/or
sustain high attendance rates of children servedsustain high attendance rates of children served (Other) Developing strategies to help parents be (Other) Developing strategies to help parents be
active participants in activities that support the active participants in activities that support the development of their child(ren)development of their child(ren)
Head Start Reauthorization: Head Start Reauthorization: Collaboration and Coordination Collaboration and Coordination
Requires Head Start agencies to:
Coordinate and collaborate with the agencies responsible for programs under Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act - 42 U.S.C. 9837(e)
Establish channels of communication between Head Start staff and McKinney-Vento liaisons to facilitate coordination of programs - 42 U.S.C. 9837a(a)
Develop and implement a family outreach and support program in coordination with outreach efforts under the McKinney-Vento Act - 42 U.S.C. 9837a(a)
Head Start Reauthorization:Head Start Reauthorization:
Collaboration and CoordinationCollaboration and Coordination (cont’d) (cont’d)
Requires Head Start State Collaboration Directors to develop a strategic plan that will enhance collaboration and coordination with and services provided for homeless children, children in foster care, and children referred to Head Start programs by child welfare agencies, including agencies and State officials responsible for such services - 42 U.S.C. 9837b(a)(4)
Requires Early Head Start programs to coordinate services with programs in the community for homeless infants and toddlers - 42 U.S.C. 9840a(b)(5)
Head Start Reauthorization: Head Start Reauthorization: Increasing Access and ParticipationIncreasing Access and Participation
Identification
Prioritization/enrollment
Community needs assessments
“Reasonable time frame”
State licensing requirements
Placement stability
Transportation
Coordination
Program options
Issues for Regulations and Implementation:
Where should Head Start Where should Head Start programs begin?programs begin?
PLANNINGPLANNING
Encourage Head Start Programs to:Encourage Head Start Programs to: Include data about homeless children in their community Include data about homeless children in their community
assessmentsassessments
Conduct self-assessments to determine strengths and Conduct self-assessments to determine strengths and weaknesses regarding services to homeless childrenweaknesses regarding services to homeless children
Contact local school district homeless education liaisons and Contact local school district homeless education liaisons and establish routine communication to coordinate planningestablish routine communication to coordinate planning
Community Assessment DataCommunity Assessment Data
Sample questions for community needs assessments:Sample questions for community needs assessments:
How many families are homeless?How many families are homeless?
What are the trends?What are the trends?
Where do homeless families stay?Where do homeless families stay?
What is the level of employment of homeless families?What is the level of employment of homeless families?
What is the availability of child care?What is the availability of child care?
What resources exist in the community?What resources exist in the community?
What task forces or coalitions exist?What task forces or coalitions exist?
Community Assessment DataCommunity Assessment Data (continued)(continued)
What additional state or school-district preschool programs What additional state or school-district preschool programs exist? How do they serve homeless children?exist? How do they serve homeless children?
What transportation resources exist in the community that What transportation resources exist in the community that could be tapped?could be tapped?
Who are the homeless education liaisons in the communities Who are the homeless education liaisons in the communities in the service area? What do the homeless education in the service area? What do the homeless education programs look like?programs look like?
What state childcare licensing policies exist that might pose What state childcare licensing policies exist that might pose barriers to enrolling and serving homeless children?barriers to enrolling and serving homeless children?
Good Practices – Attendance Challenges and Good Practices – Attendance Challenges and StrategiesStrategies
Challenges
Lack of transportation:
High mobility:
Lack of full-day program and child care:
Strategies
Community and school district collaboration, home-based models
Allow child to remain in program, when in his/her best interest, when family moves; include in parent handbook the importance of notifying program when moving
Assist families to access child care subsidy, family child care model, community collaboration
Building Head Start— McKinney-Vento Building Head Start— McKinney-Vento Partnerships Partnerships
at the STATE Levelat the STATE Level
Head Start State Collaboration Offices and McKinney-Vento State Liaisons
Sharing statewide surveys, needs assessments, data
State Advisory Councils Reading grant proposals Collaborating on small grants Cross-training of staff, conference teams Special projects, intentional partnership
strategies and initiatives
Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Partnerships Partnerships
at the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Surveyat the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Survey
Homelessness - rate working relationship with:Homelessness - rate working relationship with:
Local McKinney-Vento liaison (in LEA)
Local agencies serving families experiencing homelessness
Local housing agencies and planning groups (e.g., shelters, Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness committees)
Title I Director, if Title I funds are being used to support early care and education programs for children experiencing homelessness*
*Note: Title I funded preschool programs must follow the Head Start Performance Standards
Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Partnerships Partnerships
at the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Surveyat the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Survey
Homelessness - rate the extent to which each of the Homelessness - rate the extent to which each of the following was difficult:following was difficult:
Aligning Head Start program definition of homelessness with McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Implementing policies and procedures to ensure that children experiencing homelessness are identified and prioritized for enrollment
Allowing families of children experiencing homelessness to apply to, enroll in and attend Head Start while required documents are obtained within a reasonable time frame
Obtaining sufficient data on the needs of homeless children to inform the program’s annual community assessment
Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Partnerships Partnerships
at the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Surveyat the STATE Level: HSSCO Statewide Survey
Homelessness - rate the extent to which each of the Homelessness - rate the extent to which each of the following was difficult:following was difficult:
Engaging community partners, including the local McKinney-Vento Liaison, in conducting staff cross training and planning activities
Entering into an MOU with the appropriate local entity responsible for managing publicly funded preschool that includes a plan to coordinate selection priorities for eligible children, including children experiencing homelessness
In coordination with LEA, developing and implementing family outreach and support efforts under McKinney-Vento and transition planning for children experiencing homelessness
Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Building Head Start—McKinney-Vento Partnerships Partnerships
at the LOCAL Levelat the LOCAL Level
Head Start/Early Head Programs and McKinney-Vento Head Start/Early Head Programs and McKinney-Vento District LiaisonsDistrict Liaisons
Head Start Community Assessments, School district needs assessments, data
Head Start Policy Councils and Advisories, Local Early Childhood Councils, Homeless Services Councils, School District Councils
Cross-training of staff
Specific E.R.S.E.A. policies and protocol
Collaborating on small grants/special projects
Resources: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
America’s Invisible Childrenhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/AmericasInvisib.htm
Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Services: Do's and Don'ts for Local Liaisonshttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/ConfirmingEligib.htm
Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Acthttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/DeterminingEligi.htm
Resources: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
State Coordinators for the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/StateCoordinator.htm
The Educational Rights of Students in Homeless Situations: What Service Providers Should Know http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/TheEducationalR.htm
Who Is Homeless?http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Family%20and%20Community%20Partnerships/Homelessness/Homelessness/WhoisHomeless.htm
ResourcesResources
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
http://www.naehcy.org
National Center on Homeless Education http://www.serve.org/nche
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty http://www.nlchp.org
Horizons for Homeless Children http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org
Questions and discussion…..
Contact Information
Jill CarrollERSEA/Parent Involvement ManagerHuman Resources Agency of New Britain Head Start/School Readiness Programs180 Clinton StreetNew Britain, CT 06053Phone: (860) 225-4688 X 2332Fax: (850) 225-4843Email: [email protected]: hranbct.org
Barbara Duffield, Policy Director
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
4701 Connecticut Avenue, NW, #402
Website: www.naehcy.org
Phone: 202.364.7392
Fax: 202.318.7523
Web: www.naehcy.org
Khari Garvin, M.Ed. Director
Head Start--State Collaboration Office
Office of School Readiness
NC Department of Public Instruction
2075 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2075
Phone: 919.431.2005 phone
Fax: 919.855.6840
Web: www.osr.nc.gov/HeadStart
Grace Whitney, PhD, MPA, Director
CT Head Start State Collaboration Office
Commissioner's Office
CT Department of Social Services
25 Sigourney Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-5066
Fax: 860-424-4960
Email: [email protected]