New Opportunities for Serving Homeless Children Through Head Start National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth Pre-conference,

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 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 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 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.


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

E-mail [email protected] [email protected]

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)


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


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


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



Head Start grantees must maintain an “active” wait list and conduct outreach and activities to identify underserved populations - 42 U.S.C. 9837(g)



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)


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



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



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


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

[email protected]

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]

Documents

New Opportunities for Serving Homeless Children Through Head Start National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth Pre-conference,