Head Start Community, when we renew, we take charge of our future. And it is time to take charge of the future of Head Start. Make no mistake: it’s not just me who hopes for our renewal. The nation needs Head Start to renew and to thrive. Vulnerable children need us more than ever. Families need us. Local communities need us.”
– Remarks from Executive Director Yasmina Vinci at NHSA’s National Head Start Conference, May 3, 2022
In the last two years, the Head Start community has been buffeted by change. From a global pandemic, to racial and social unrest, and now historic inflation and a shifting tide in the U.S. workforce. In the face of this kind of social, economic and global change, the community has responded by recommitting to the promise of Head Start.
Today, NHSA is working with Head Start leaders in states and regions in a process of renewal, shaped by a sharpened focus on addressing a critical workforce shortage and supporting staff as well five other priorities, all grounded in a centering focus on doing what is best for the children and families of Head Start to help them thrive.
In the past year, the Head Start State and Regional Network have made critical contributions in the six focus areas of renewal of Head Start.
Bold and Brave Leadership
Delaware Head Start Association
Delaware is offering a bonus to child care workers using ARPA funds. A requirement is that you must be actively working, but the bonuses are being paid out during a time when many Head Start programs are not in service. We successfully advocated for the Head Start workforce to still be eligible.
Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office
In February 2021, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs announced plans for $1,000 supplemental payments to all eligible early learning professionals and staff in the state called POWER, for Providing Our Workforce Essential Recognition. The HSCO assisted with and advocated for the inclusion of EHS & HS front line staff. This is the state's recognition of the ECE workforce's dedication and hard work shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. POWER is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. As of June/July 2022, eligible staff will have received 3 payments of $1000 each.
Head Start California
We campaigned for $50M for Head Start salaries in the FY 22-23 state budget. In doing so, we secured the support of 37 members of our legislature for our budget request and 44 community organizations.
Pennsylvania Head Start Association
The state supplemental funding for Head Start RFP was released with a requirement for 5 years of budget, with no increase in money. PHSA hosted a webinar and offered technical assistance, with a highly competent financial analyst, to our programs on how to write 5, 1-year budgets, accounting for salary/benefit increases and program costs. All of our programs submitted proposals in which they asked for the state funding necessary to fund their programs over the 5-year cycle. Programs were recently invited to negotiate the per child amount and many/most of the programs countered with the same or similar level of request, stating, "This is the real cost of quality."
Rhode Island Head Start State Collaboration Office
Through advocacy and communication, I was able to ensure Head Start be included in all stabilization grants funded through federal stimulus dollars to support programming and wages.
Colorado Head Start State Collaboration Office
I co lead our state's Early Childhood Workforce Development Subcommittee which allows me to highlight Head Start initiatives and include Head Start in decision making. Similarly, I provided Subject Matter Expertise on Head Start and systems alignment on HB22-1295, which is the legislation for the creation of a new Department of Early Childhood with the creation of a new UPK program. The bill was signed into law on April 25, 2022. Success, now on to implementation!
Kansas Head Start Association
KHSA provided testimony in support of HB 2525 as it proposed to remove the child support enforcement requirement to access food and child care assistance and exempt adult students enrolled in school from the 20-hr/week work requirement. The child support enforcement requirement is a barrier to enrollment in DCF-funded Early Head Start.
Massachusetts Head Start Association
We worked closely with the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission to ensure that MHSA was represented at the table in that important piece of work. Our Executive Director, Michelle Haimowitz, advised them to ensure long-term stability of the field and develop a sustainable system that provides high quality accessible and affordable care to families, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations. Michelle worked with Senator Lewis and Representative Peisch on this important work. The majority of the Head Start recommendations were included within the final report.
Michigan Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Michigan HSCO provided testimony to the task force members of the Interagency Task Force on Child Safety regarding the challenges and potential solutions for equitable access to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) background check implementation process. The HSCO shared the barriers that exist in Michigan preventing some Head Start employees from having access to the comprehensive background check system. The testimony will be considered as the task force gathers information on the complexities of ensuring that all Head Start staff have access to the current state comprehensive background check system.
Region 7 Head Start Association
For 2021, R7HSA recognized the MO state champion, Representative David Evans who represents Howell County (District 154) in the Missouri House of Representatives with the State Children’s Champion Award. Representative Evans was selected for his work and sponsorship of MO HOUSE BILL NO. 257 known as the Stop Bill which was signed into law by Governor Parsons on July 20, 2021. The MO Head Start Association was instrumental in bringing the need for this legislation to Representative Evans.
Hawaii Head Start Association and Hawaii Head Start State Collaboration Office
As previously mentioned, the HSAH and the HHSSCO worked together on developing a Memorandum of Understanding between our two entities that identified the roles, relationships and partnerships we have with one another, to honor and strengthen our respective and collective work, and to provide continuity of those roles and relationships through leadership turnover and transitions. The HSAH and the HHSSCO also developed two companion documents to elevate EHS in Hawaii, as well as issues that serve as barriers to access, availability and quality of services and recommendations to address these. Both endeavors have strengthened the already strong partnership between our two entities, and have highlighted our shared vision and goals for our Head Start children, families and staff here in Hawaii.
Kentucky Head Start Association
Kentucky's unique full utilization law requires the use of federal Head Start funds prior to the spending of state funds. There was a legislative effort to curb and weaken the full utilization law, however KHSA and its members and partners were able to not only protect full utilization, but enhance state-level enforcement mechanisms for both Head Start programs and school districts. (KY HS Association)
Minnesota Head Start Association
The Minnesota Head Start Associations worked with the Governor's Children's Cabinet on issues related to COVID testing and vaccinations at EHS/HS programs. MHSA worked with MDE around the mandates to preserve HS/School partnerships and with MN DHS on issues impacting agencies and partners in regards to licensing.
Region 9 Head Start Association
Last year, during the pandemic, R9HSA board and committee members generated over 1350 hours of service to lead the association and our various initiatives, inclusive of adopting a DEI policy that directs association staff to measure operations with an equity lens in focus.
Tennessee Head Start State Collaboration Office
I led the initiative to help Head Start staff become familiar with the McKinney-Vento Act (regarding children experiencing homelessness). McKinney-Vento Coordinators met with the TN Head Start Association, I sent Head Start Directors resources from Schoolhouse Connections, and created a survey to see what staff know about homelessness in TN and availability of resources.
Virginia Head Start Association
There were lots of issues with the federal vaccination and mask mandate and our new Republican Governor Youngkin sworn in, in January 2022. As state Association, I fielded many calls from the public, led Directors in meaningful and strategic conversations, and wrote a letter to the editor after the Attorney General's office repeatedly did not call me back to address why the Youngkin admin had not petitioned for VA to become the 26th state on the list of those states with injunctive relief of this federal mandate.
Connecticut Head State Association
In March, Head Start and Early Head Start programs participated in a statewide initiative, a Day without Child Care that was replicated nationally to draw attention to the need for higher wages in the early care and education profession.
Nevada Head Start Association
In my role on the Nevada ECAC, I am currently serving as the Co-Chair and we worked to develop an updated strategic plan to help align all of our Early Learning priorities in our state.
Supported Staff
Providing workforce support is the top priority for the Network
What are your top 2 state priorities?
Alaska Head Start State Collaboration Office
We created an Early Childhood Career Technical Education Program of Study, which will allow HS students to earn dual credit towards an EC certificate or degree. (AK Head Start State Head Collaboration Office)
Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Office
MHSCO hosted a webinar for Missouri EHS/HS program staff and Missouri Community Colleges. In this presentation, listeners learned about an online program, the Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society BA (ECEMS) at the University of Missouri, and a recent articulation agreement with the Moberly Area Community College. As a direct result from this webinar, additional community colleges expressed interest in the development of similar articulation agreements. MHSCO then secured an independent consultant to work on course alignment and transfer guides with identified 2-year colleges.
Nebraska Head Start Association
The Nebraska Head Start Association is partnering with the UNK College of Education Teacher Education Department to give up to 20 Head Start preschool teachers the opportunity to advance their teaching practices around early STEM instruction through the Head Start on STEM Project. Specifically, grant funding from Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) will provide four tuition-free, graduate-level courses and individually designed supports for increased participant retention and success. The four graduate-level courses (12 credits) are designed to count toward a master’s degree for participants who choose to continue toward degree completion.
West Virginia Head Start Association
WVHSA signed a contract with Bluefield University, VA for HS staff to enroll in BA, MA and other programs to earn certification, degrees, etc. and with a 15% discount. These are on-line classes so staff do not have to miss work and can complete assignments after work hours.
Georgia Head Start Association
GHSA partnered with the First Day Learning company to hold a Mental Health Boot Camp for 25 staff during our Fall Leadership Conference in November 2021. The Boot Camp was a two-day intensive training event focused on introducing participants to the mental health and behavior philosophies needed to create responsive early childhood centers from day one. Day One of the training was designed with a focus on mindfulness and attention to the diverse behavioral health needs of teachers and children. Day One is all about being proactive. Day Two of the training focused on the psychology of behavior change and considering this important field through the lens of real-world experiences. Participants examined factors influencing behavior and were introduced to the basics of Applied Behavior Analysis. The Boot Camp included sessions on Cause and effect: The Psychology of Behavior Change; understanding and documenting behavior and teaching replacement behaviors and In it for the Long Haul: Supporting Ongoing Behavior Change; planning, teamwork and maintenance. After attending the Behavior Bootcamp, 92.3% of participants reported that they feel more confident in their ability to handle behavioral challenges in the classroom.
Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office
Working with other state partners, facilitated free of charge access to all Head Start grantees and staff the Healthy Minds and CALM apps and in the process of leading a community of practice that will include usage data.
Region 9 Head Start Association
In partnership with a number of training resources, R9HSA has brought forward learning experiences that affirms staff, builds skill, wellness behaviors. In addition, R9HSA has raised and distributed over $55,000 in scholarship funds for staff education.
Virginia Head Start State Collaboration Office and Virginia Head Start Association
The HSSCO has a contract agreement with the Association that provides funding towards deliverables to include: conferences, trainings and website management. The Association conducted a Virtual Health and Family Institute that provided sessions on Trauma Informed Care, Staff Wellness, and Living Intentionally. The participation levels were near pre-pandemic levels and outcomes include: 1. Shared understanding of the importance of wellness practices. 2.Resources and supports for staff wellness, and trauma- informed care approaches for families and staff.
New York Head Start State Collaboration Office
The NYSHSCO Director formed a Technical Assistance Alignment group. This group is composed of the 35 Professional Development and Technical Assistance providers for the early childhood workforce in NY. She convened this group for two years. Across two years, they learned all about each others’ organizations and what they can provide to the field. A Rainbow Chart Directory was produced that outlines what they provide and how the mixed delivery system can reach out for the different kinds of support.
Connecticut Head Start Association
Our Association hosted a shared professional development opportunity for Head Start and Early Head Start Directors on Leadership. Directors and Senior management participated in a Dare to Lead series (6 months) with a certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, based on the work of Brene Brown.
Georgia Head Start Association
GHSA held its Annual Spring Training Conference in May 2022. This event was the first in-person Conference the Association has held in two years since the COVID pandemic. The Conference theme was "Facing the Future Together". The Conference boasted 517 participants including 44 presenters, 17 exhibitors, and 5 sponsors. We were truly proud to be back together again and our Conference was well attended and successful!
Indiana Head Start Association
IHSA created an entire professional development and staff engagement series dedicated to supporting all levels of HS and EHS staff. We had over 700 individual staff members engaged in this series throughout 2021.
Minnesota Head Start Association
In MN about half of our Directors are new, many under 3 years in the Director job. The Association initiated a working group for those Directors to help them succeed. (MN HS Association)
Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office
We supported the Children's Learning Institute to recruit 250 teachers from five Head Start grantees to participate in the ACF Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) Grant. The CARE program is a mindfulness-based program that helps teachers better manage their stress and enhance their social-emotional skills. The grant is being implemented in HS/EHS programs over a five-year period. The TXHSSCO will continue to support the grant principal investigators to obtain necessary data and work to recruit coaches to engage in year 3 of the grant.
Michigan Head Start Association
The Michigan Head Start Association has now built up to offering 18 Learning Communities to staff across the state. Each Learning Community Content area receives three workshops per year with communications and updates in between. We hired a dedicated staff at MHSA to conduct this important work in the areas of HR, Coaching, Mental Health & Disabilities, ERSEA, Infants/Toddlers and Site Operations Managers. These provide both content and the ability to network with their peers.
Iowa Head Start Association
"Our concern this year was that Head Start staff are now required to job search if they don’t work at least a few hours every four weeks; that job search has always been waived in the past. At first there was no contingency, they were just supposed to do job searches, but we negotiated a four-week plan so programs are doing a training day or having them do something else to cover their need for work hours during the summer break in Head Start services.
Nebraska Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Nebraska Unicameral considered a bill that would provide low-cost, or potentially free health insurance benefits to staff working in early care and education programs through an already established educator pool this past session. The HSSCO provided information regarding Nebraska EHS/HS programs for testimony during legislative hearings. The legislation was not ultimately enacted this session, but an Interim Study regarding potential legislative action for next session was commissioned to take place over the summer.
California Head Start State Collaboration Office
Currently, we are working with a national expert and some HS Executive Directors to engage in a survey, interviews and work focused on the toddler workforce and what the needs are of the field. This work is to identify how best to create pathways that support the field.
Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSCO is in the process of evaluating the HS/EHS workforce needs through a DECAL funded focus group project with GEEARS. The HSCO helped identify and recruit 3 geographically representative focus groups of Head Start teaching staff to reflect and share their experiences this past two years. The impending report (due summer 2022) will include policy and advocacy recommendations for improving workforce recruitment AND retention.
Engaged and Supported Families
Arkansas Head Start Association
We have just about completed our rounds of Powerful Conversations with Fathers. We have one more scheduled in October whose goal is to provide specific strategies to fathers in dealing with disasters from Covid-19.
South Carolina Head Start Association
Our Fatherhood Conference was fantastic! We had over 200 participants from 7 states. Families are also engaged and supported through participation in our annual Fall and Spring Conferences provided in collaboration with the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships.
West Virginia Head Start Association
WVHSA has held a three-part training series on Father Engagement from presenter Patrick Patterson for HS staff and how to involve fathers and families.
Arizona Head Start Association
The Arizona Head Start Association had a cohort of parents participate in the Parent Ambassador Program. These parents had the opportunity to obtain training from different community partners on how to tell their story and elevate their voices. This program actually helped with leadership skills so much that one of the parents is running to be part of the Association’s board!
Arkansas Head Start State Collaboration Office
I created a family advisory committee in Arkansas and we worked to establish an Arkansas "Guide for Promoting Family Engagement." We also created a pyramid model for the state's family engagement framework. I hired a family engagement specialist for the state for two years and once funding ended, DCCECE moved the position over to their shop in order to keep it going! We continue to collaborate and bring families together in many different ways such as... I just completed a Health and Wellness virtual training for families, which ran for three months in order to support the changes with COVID-19. We also offer parent cafes and work with fatherhood, whereby we meet on a monthly basis to discuss critical issues that families face. We are now doing powerful conversations with Fathers, whereby Sidney Moncrief will share his life story and the challenges in raising his sons. Plus, we have other community opportunities for families to participate in on different topics and free resources and household items and gift cards to families that we provide.
Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Head Start Collaboration Office led efforts to design and launch the first ever OEC Parent Cabinet. The HSCO used the Head Start model and the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework to guide the design, and engaged multiple Head Start parents in the co-design process.
Kansas Head Start Association
KHSA worked with local programs to encourage parents to submit comments on the vaccine/mask mandates. The Association gave programs the tools and "how-to" instructions for submitting written comments for parents who wished to express their thoughts on the mandate.
Massachusetts Head Start Association
Michelle had a graduation of our first class of Parent Ambassadors that had been trained as Parent Leaders and Advocates. They were trained for a year to harness their existing skills to inspire them to become Head Start leaders and advocates. They completed an Advocacy project- collecting Head Start stories from parents around Head Start eligibility standards.
Minnesota Head Start Association
The Minnesota Head Start Association hosted a two day Parent Conference this spring, after 2 years of being sidelined by COVID-19. Eighty-eight parents from across MN participated in learning activities geared towards building connections, mental health and local leadership. (MN HS Association)
North Carolina Head Start State Collaboration Office
I worked closely with the Parent Leadership Team that was part of the Early Head Start Coalition Group. We had 20-25 parents on each webinar. This group of parents wants to stay active when the grant for the EHS initiative ends. They are interested in advocating for their children by talking to decision makers who create laws about them without talking to them.
Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
Parents got stipends for doing advocacy work! Washington State passed a Lived Experience bill for parents to receive stipends each time they made the time to do a public hearing.
Kentucky Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Head State Collaboration Office has worked closely with the Governor's Office of Early Childhood and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence to develop a family engagement professional development certificate and self-assessment program which launched in May of 2022.
Maryland Head Start Association
Family Engagement conference that celebrated Parent of the Year Honorees. Eight staff graduated with the Family Development Credential. Creation of a Parent Engagement Committee within the Board whose initial goal is the development of a father engagement program that will culminate in a Dads Retreat.
Missouri Head Start Association
MHSA hosted a Family Leadership Conference in April of 2022 as an opportunity for parent leaders to learn more about what is happening around the state and offer ideas of ways to be a part of leadership opportunities too. In addition, one of the Learning Collaboratives that MHSA hosted this year focused on engaging with families to support their children's health and wellbeing.
Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office
We partnered with “Moncrief One Team” to host a series of five (5) Family Engagement & Fatherhood training for Head Start/Early Head Start families and staff, to address the Office of Head Start Initiative: Parent/Family Engagement. The training included subjects relating to fatherhood, parent financial capability, strengthening families, employment and workplace preparation, parent/child relationships, and other topics that address the needs of children and families.
Virginia Head Start Association
The best way our state association supported families was to support those who work directly with them. We created a network for Family Advocates & Home Visitors, met every other month with guest speakers from training and technical assistance and worked with them on specific topics to help families (e.g. mental health, trauma, resiliency, housing, benefits). We did not have this network or email listserv for posting questions in the group prior to Covid and it has proved to be very beneficial.
Utah Head Start Association
Programs such as Utah Community Action Head Start opted to engage in CACFP summer food programs to continue to support the children and families in their service area by providing free meals (in this case dinner) to children 0-18 yrs of age and parents could purchase a meal for $3. The program worked with the state to identify school district sites providing free breakfast/lunch programs and enhanced the services by providing dinner.
Virginia Head Start State Collaboration Office
In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Social Services and the VA Head Start Association, the HSSCO was able to distribute $3.4 million dollars in the form of Nutrition Benefit cards to all enrolled EHS/HS families to address food insecurity in our state. Approximately 11,000 families received nutrition benefit cards. The outcomes included strengthening family well-being and partnerships with families assisting towards self-sufficiency.
Strong State and Local Partnerships
Head Start programs often recieve funding from federal sources other than Head Start and from state or local pre-k funds.
Types of program revenue other than Head Start
Source: Head Start’s Interaction with Federal, State, and Local Systems, Mathematica
Kansas Head Start Association
KHSA's continued work with HSCO to support Kindergarten Transitions in communities across Kansas continues to be a bright spot for both KHSA and HSCO. This year, we held bi-monthly calls with approximately 15 different communities with Kindergarten Transitions workgroups to share practices, ideas, and problem solve. KHSA, HSCO, and representatives of these communities presented this work at the KS State Department of Education's (KSDE) annual conference in Fall 2021. KHSA and HSCO also presented this work during an "All In For Kansas Kids" webinar that is sponsored by the KS Children's Cabinet. This work has not only improved the transition to Kindergarten for children in Kansas, it has led to increased collaboration, understanding, and partnership between Head Start and School Districts.
New Jersey Head Start State Collaboration Office
Ensuring Head Start programs are at the table for the NJ Governor's Pre-K expansion initiative. The HSCO was able to create a Statewide Pre-K Contract to include Head Start Programs Performance Standards. The HSCO has worked with the State Attorney General's office to ensure the legality. The AG's office approved it and now all Pre-K districts that contract with Head Start must use that contract template.
New York Head Start State Collaboration Office
We did joint webinars with the NYS Education Office of Early Learning and this reached school districts as well as the Head Start programs and made a dent in the challenges around the Prekindergarten and Head Start collaboration process.
Virginia Head Start State Collaboration Office
As part of the unification of early childhood programs the HSSCO has coordinated with EC program leaders to craft and disseminate a Superintendent’s Memo that addressed the updated legislative language to certify HS enrollment slots first. A webinar was also conducted to provide strategies and resources to support coordinated efforts across early childhood program options. The HSSCO in collaboration with the Association also conducted individual convenings for identified communities to focus on resources and strategies to address concerns around coordinated efforts for recruitment.
Washington State Head Start State Collaboration Office
In 2021, nine teams of school districts and local community early learning partners, including Head Start, developed strategies for improving transitions and engaging and supporting families. From this work, Family Voice was identified as a key area to strengthen and strategies are being implemented.
Kentucky Head Start Association
Kentucky's Governor's Office of Early Childhood has, over the last two years, undertaken a complete revision of our early childhood standards. KHSA and its members have been a key part of this effort ensuring that the Head Start perspective, and more importantly, the Head Start Performance Standards were recognized and included. This effort included not only the development of new statewide standards, but also new training materials and modules that will be rolled out in the summer of 2022.
Maryland Head Start Association
Advocating for deeper collaboration between HS/EHS and the State on the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. This includes: advocating for alternative pathways for teacher certification, helping HS/EHS programs to be ready to capitalize on the Blueprint funds, ensuring HS/EHS programs are aware and participating in county planning efforts, reviewing and advocating requirement, restriction, and policy equity between all mixed delivery options.
New Hampshire Head Start State Collaboration Office
Head Start representatives served on the Granite Steps for Quality QRIS revision Task Force and the NH Head Start Directors Association provided continuous feedback to the Bureau during development, including on the Head Start/center-based EHS pathway to enter the revised system. The Bureau (which includes the HSCO) led this work. GSQ was launched this year. All Head Start programs plan to enter the new system no later than fall 2022.
South Dakota Head Start State Collaboration Office
Through collaboration, the SDHSCO created the SD Early Learning Guidelines and SD Kindergarten Standards Crosswalk for educators. Following this, the SDHSCO created a crosswalk to include the Head Start Early Learning Framework (HSELOF). These are currently being distributed to all SD Head Starts including tribal programs. During the SD Early Childhood Conference, held annually, the SDHSCO presented the crosswalk and its alignment to participants. For pre-k educators, the crosswalk will support promotion of precursor learning for children entering kindergarten as well as increasing the consistency of a child's experiences across "grades", creating a continuum of learning that builds on the previous year.
Delaware Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSCO has taken the lead in building awareness related to children and families experiencing homelessness. Partnerships with the Housing Alliance of Delaware has resulted in contacts with homeless shelters and the ability to have the Housing Alliance of DE present at various conferences. Finally the HSCO is contracting with a subject matter expert to assist the Head Start community and community partners in better understanding children and families experiencing homelessness and the effects i.e. trauma.
Florida Head Start Association
FHSA's proudest and most significant accomplishment this year was establishing a Data Sharing agreement with the Department of Children and Families to share TANF information with Head Start programs in Florida, opting to receive this information directly. This allows programs to directly connect with families eligible to be served by Head Start.
Rhode Island Head Start State Collaboration Office
100% of center based Head Start programs are uploading data into the state's data ecosystem and utilizing the system to enhance quality of care and programming.
Wyoming Head Start Association
WISER ID and Data Sharing for Head Start. A WISER ID is a unique student identifier that follows a child through their entire public school educational career. Previously we were able to establish having local districts assign WISER ID's to our Head Start students. Moving forward, districts will share the WISER ID with the HS program and have 1 or 2 designated users trained in the data system so they can access longitudinal outcome data for children previously enrolled in Head Start. The next step in the process is to define the data entry fields so the information that goes into the system will allow HS programs to access meaningful data. We will be able to retroactively pull data for any participant with the early assigned WISER ID, review child/student outcomes and use data for program planning immediately and moving forward. The charter doing the work includes: Head Start Collaboration Officer, HS Association representatives, Early Intervention Part C and B, TANF Preschool, Department of Education, and more.
Nevada Head Start Association
Our MOU work has provided an opportunity for us to strengthen emerging leaders in the state. Emerging leaders are a key component to the succession planning of Head Start in our communities. Since the pandemic we continue to see key ECE stakeholders transition out of the field (retired, change of career, etc.) We divided our MOU work up into 5 committees: Kindergarten Transition Plan Coordination, Workforce & Professional Development, Emerging Leaders Network, Support plan for Families Experiencing Homelessness. This work has expanded into a team of 34 dedicated leaders that represent grantee team members (program team members, ECE coaches, service area leads, and managers), EHS child care partners, and a few parents.
Utah Head Start Association
UHSCO made significant progress in facilitating stronger and more successful partnerships with community partners over five years. According to the annual Head Start Community Survey data, in 2022, 69 percent of community stakeholders identified their working relationship with Head Start as productive and friendly. This has continued to grow and maintain high levels since the Collaboration Office made it a priority in 2018, where in 2017/2018 only 6 percent of Head Start’s community partners felt their relationships were productive and friendly. The Collaborations Office's effort immediately started to pay off in this area. By the end of 2019, 52 percent of Head Start's partners indicated their working relationships were productive and friendly.
Equity in Action
Have you had any substantial and sustained focus and activities targeted to support the following priority populations for Head Start in the past year?
Head Start California
We partnered with the California Department of Public Health to recruit Head Start agencies to serve as vaccination sites for children under 5 when the FDA approves the vaccination. We supported the distribution and marketing of a CDPH survey to all Head Start to maximize responses.
Idaho Head Start State Collaboration Office
IHSCO provided region wide vision and hearing screening webinar to Head Start and Early Head Start Programs by a renowned Office of Head Start trainer. We also partnered with the University of Idaho to provide a webinar on developmental screening and monitoring and planned, coordinated, and implemented the “Health” track during the IHSA annual conference alongside regional training and technical assistance Health Specialists to support Health Managers and Disability Coordinators.
Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Office
The MHSCO is currently developing partnership activities with the Missouri Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI), Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The official launch of this work will be in June with a webinar for Missouri EHS directors and management staff. The virtual meeting will be an opportunity for all to learn more about the MO EHDI program and the resources that can support EHS programs’ hearing screening and follow-up practices. By collaborating with the MO EHDI the MHSCO hopes to build awareness, and partnerships focused on ensuring every child receives an annual hearing screen using an evidence-based method and for the MO EHDI program staff to better understand how they can support MO EHS programs throughout Missouri.
Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Collaboration Office continues to maintain a strong partnership with the Managed Care system in PA and all Managed Care Organizations have an MCO-Head Start Liaison in their Special Needs Unit who provides direct support to HS/EHS staff and families when they are in need of assistance in their programs to gain access to health, oral health and mental health services to their families. This project was an excellent support to HS/EHS during the pandemic
Virginia Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSSCO collaborated with an Institution of Higher Education to conduct a three-part training on the Social Determinants of Health. The training was provided in a cohort style with a total of 25 participants per session. The outcomes included EHS/HS staff gaining an understanding of the intersectionality of racism and trauma to improve care and address racial disparities.
Arizona Head Start State Collaboration Office
Used a data driven process that agnostically identified those early learning sites most in need to create an equitable distribution of funds to early learning programs across the state to support increased equitable access to our most in need programs and children across the state. https://www.azed.gov/ece/hqel
Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSCO helped bring the Project Scope opportunity with Georgia State University (GSU) to our Georgia grantees through a special contract in 2021. "Project SCOPE: Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic, is a national training initiative intended to build nationwide provider capacity and confidence in applying evidence-based practices in screening, monitoring, and interdisciplinary support for children and families diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome or who are suspected of being impacted by opioid use, trauma, or related exposure." Our EHS/HS participants attended two virtual sessions each month for a total of 10 classes with expert facilitators. There were 24 Early Head Start and Head Start grantees (2/3 of the state) that participated in Project SCOPE for free. These programs represented 22 Georgia counties, both rural and urban. In all, 97 grantee leaders were trained, and 5 grantees have initiated follow up with GSU to continue.
North Carolina Head Start State Collaboration Office
The collaboration office worked with Erin Patterson and School House Connections and Aneila Ward, Homeless Coordinator for the State of NC to pilot the Head Start Referral App for Homeless Children. We hosted 8 regional webinars.
Missouri Head Start Association and Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Office
MHSCO and MHSA conducted year 2 of the Missouri Equity, Diversity, and Learning Collaborative. The MHSCO entered into an agreement with MHSA to coordinate and secure the content experts, 1 independent facilitator, and a MHSA administrative fee (to host the virtual gatherings, planning sessions, and distribution of meeting/post meeting materials. MHSCO identified and secured content experts (2 faculty from MU, and 1 faculty from the Erikson Institute from year 1). Based on these connections, these content experts were utilized for year 2 through the agreement with MHSA. The MHSCO staff served as a co-facilitator, in addition to recruiting an additional researcher/faculty member from the University of Missouri Kansas City for this year's collaborative (January-May 2022). This researcher offered to work with any participating program to implement the Organizational Equity Assessment (OAE). The OEA is a 36-item survey, developed by the YMCA of the USA, that assesses perceived practices and policies within early childhood programs at the site-level across seven domains: organizational practices, organizational culture, supports, community-informed practices, resource allocation, linguistically and culturally appropriate practices, and long-term equity development.
Michigan Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Michigan HSCO director attended the WIDA Early Years Professional Learning Cohort offered through the Michigan Department of Education, along with eight Head Start program staff, to build knowledge and skills needed to facilitate local professional learning for those working with young multi-language learners and their families. This learning opportunity was combined with transitions to kindergarten activities, to ensure representation of children who are multi-language learners and their families as they transition to kindergarten.
Early Head Start Rising: Progress in States
of Associations increased their work with Early Head Start in the last year.
Nevada Head Start Association
Homelessness in Early Head Start: A Statewide Investigation to Promote Child Well-being is a partnership between the HSCO, Nevada HSA and EHS grantees. The proposed study will examine administrative EHS records on children and families throughout the state of Nevada to investigate the unique demographics, needs, and experiences of families experiencing homelessness compared to similarly at-risk families. Aim 3: Investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted program participation and developmental outcomes of children in Nevada EHS programs, accounting for homeless status, child race, and program rurality. Findings will enrich current understanding of the impacts of homelessness on early childhood services and outcomes and inform efforts to serve families experiencing homelessness post-COVID. The staggering rate of homelessness among Nevada EHS families makes this project especially critical.
Colorado Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSCO is leading a new $6.2 million initiative, funded by ARP Discretionary Funding, to provide funding to existing Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) sites that have a successful track record of partnering with licensed child care homes and centers to increase available infant and toddler slots for families enrolled in the Head Start program.
Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office and Connecticut Head Start Association
Through PDG funding, the CT Office of Early Childhood and the Head Start Collaboration Office are partnering formally with the CT Head Start Association to pilot an effort entitled, "Early Childhood Mentoring Pilot: In Partnership with Early Head Start". This pilot partners EHS-CCP grantees with state-funded infant/toddler Child Development Daycares to offer mentorship, in-person and virtual coaching and support, assessment and data collection, materials, and Community of Practice modules. The pilot focuses on improving health and safety standards.
Maryland Head Start Association
Our activities are bridging the partnership gap between HS/EHS programs and local Child Care programs by creating networking opportunities between neighboring programs. We are also developing and implementing a workshop series to educate and keep Child Care programs updated on EHS/CC Partnerships.
New Hampshire Head Start State Collaboration Office
We funded a pilot to improve child care program quality using the Early Head Start model.
Michigan Head Start State Collaboration Office
The Michigan Head Start Collaboration Office (HSCO) is supporting the work of a study team from the Michigan Public Health Institute to complete a home-based, home visiting cost study in Michigan that includes Early Head Start home-based programs. Through an intensive survey process, this study aims to provide details on the costs needed to operate a quality home-based program in Michigan. The goal of this study is to support the expansion of home-based services.
North Carolina Head Start Association
NC Early Education Coalition (the Coalition) and the NC Head Start Association (NCHSA) received a new grant to expand equitable access to Early Head Start services in North Carolina. This collaborative project was made possible through an initiative of ZERO TO THREE and is part of the work of the Think Babies™ NC Alliance. The $100,000 grant supported the development of a coalition of state and local early childhood organizations, child care programs, Head Start and Early Head Start partners, and parents in developing new policies and programs to expand Early Head Start services for babies and their families. The project included a Parent Leadership Council to ensure that parents have direct input into shaping the new opportunities for expanding Early Head Start and infant-toddler child care in the state.
Pennsylvania Head Start Association
The Policy Committee of the PHSA Board has looked further into state funding options, begun discussions with our state NAEYC colleagues and worked with Transform Consulting, thanks to NHSA, to create a dynamic dashboard of EHS data.
Wisconsin Head Start Association
We secured more alignment with the state's prenatal-to-three grant, Preschool Development Grant and the Collaboration Office. We are hopeful that we'll reduce some barriers to blending funding for EHS.
Hawaii Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HS Collaboration Director co-convenes a cross-sector work group that has been focused on infant/toddler workforce issues, and participates in a personnel system-building initiative funded by the Office of Special Education to address issues related to the workforce that serves young children, birth to five, with special needs.
New Jersey Head Start State Collaboration Office
My top priority is New Jersey will have a statewide Infant/toddler credential issue through the State Department. Currently, the HSCO is working with the Offices of Licensing, Child Care, the state QRIS coordinator, and the Departments of Labor and Education. My goal is to raise the infant/toddler teachers' qualifications to hopefully raise their wages.
Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office
In partnership with early intervention, the HSCO worked with state partners and Early Head Start staff to design and execute a new statewide MOU. This MOU outlines roles and responsibilities as well as specific areas for partnership between Early Head Start programs and their Birth to Three local service providers. An MOU kick-off event was held and follow-up statewide convenings will be held throughout the year.
Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office
The HSCO participates in the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Collaborative which includes Georgia's first IECMH Director, also housed at DECAL. The HSCO convened a mental health forum for the new IECMH Director to learn about the services provided in Early Head Start. One outcome from this meeting will be the inclusion of EHS programs in the piloting of Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) work for infants and toddlers referred for behavioral concerns &/or social emotional development concerns.
Innovation
We were able to provide the Arizona Head Start Association social media platform for programs to join biweekly for a live job fair where they share what job openings they have and benefits. We were also able to host our first ever in person Job Fair to support HS programs.
In partnership with the CT Head Start Association, CT Department of Housing, CT Office of Early Childhood and the National Center on Housing and Child Welfare, the Head Start on Housing pilot was launched. This pilot partners with Head Start programs to provide housing vouchers directly to Head Start families experiencing homelessness, and supports landlord recruitment efforts to get families housed as quickly as possible. The pilot started with 20 housing vouchers and due to its success is now expanding.
GHSA and our State Collaboration Director secured the services of a University of Georgia Professor who worked closely with our Data Committee to help develop a PIR Data Tool. The tool is designed to help Georgia Programs retrieve, analyze, and report their PIR Data more efficiently. During our Spring Conference, the Collaboration Director and Professor Bub conducted a Data workshop to provide an overview of the tool and training on how to use the tool.
We completed a statewide community needs assessment for all 13 programs to utilize, unifying what was a piecemeal effort into one that was more cost-effective, efficient and impactful.
IHSA continues to bring new technologies and strategic partnerships to all of our programs in the state. From new family recruitment partnerships to comparable education ecosystem salary data, IHSA supports innovative operational opportunities for our programs. Specifically, we partnered with other states in Region V to provide our programs with accurate comparable salary data for more than 45 unique Head Start and Early Head Start positions.
In addition, MHSA and several local Head Start program staff serve on and participate in a Head Start ECHO offered through the MU Telehealth Network. This partnership allows for case-based learning and has begun new partnerships and connections.
Provided a letter of Support for a University of Missouri faculty member, and State Extension Specialist for a National Alliance for Children’s Grief Reach grant. This grant, which focuses on supporting children experiencing grief and loss through the use of professional development and utilization of SHED (Surviving, Healing, and Evolving through Grief and Loss) Tools was awarded in spring and the work will launch in summer 2022. The professionals working in Head Start will benefit from having tools and resources that build their confidence and competence, as they support children and families, particularly during times of grief and loss.
The NJ Head Start Association and the HSCO are working with the Environment Rating Scales Institute, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina to work with Head Start program staff members to become reliable as State Anchors in using the ITERS/ECERS tool. The New Jersey Department of Education and the Quality Rating Improvement System use the ECERS/ITERS to measure classroom quality statewide. The NJ Head Start Association is responsible for the Institute Contract and payment. The HSCO is responsible for organizing the reliability testing, arranging the classrooms, sending notices to the participants and monitoring the outcome. The last time this was done we had 23 participants who were reliable. Districts are asking Head Start staff to train their Master teacher on using the tool.
PHSA is a leadership partner with Early Learning PA. This year, we were active in developing a brand new statewide Provider Advisory Council which kicked off Spring 2022.
As the result of an identified need for intensive training to support and build capacity of staff in specific roles, in 2021, R7HSA launched the Intensive Training Series. The ITS offers specific training sessions with topics requested by the field and are designed to be intensive taking participants on a deeper dive into a focused subject. ITS sessions are led by expert consultants who have the knowledge and expertise to build on the content as needed and respond to questions as they are presented. Outcomes from the ITS sessions have resulted in deepening staff's depth of knowledge in a particular area as well as connecting staff to a network of colleagues across Region 7.