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BUDGET AND POLICY

Head Start Reauthorization
Head Start Act

Program Performance Standards and Other Regulations
Information Memorandums/Program Instructions
Funding Opportunities/Program Announcements
Head Start Statistical Fact Sheets

Toward Head Start Reauthorization
     Head Start Reauthorization and School Readiness Act of 2003 H.R. 2210 is passed in the House of Representatives and referred to the Senate.
     Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act S. 1940 is reported in the Senate and placed on the Calendar for discussion.

FY 2005 Federal Budget Plans for Head Start
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2005/hhs.html

Improving Head Start
     “As we raise educational standards, which we must do, each of our children needs an equal opportunity to meet those standards. And creating that opportunity must begin early, even before school starts. On the first day of school, children need to know letters and numbers. They need a strong vocabulary. And they need to love books. These are the building blocks of learning, and this nation must provide them.”

President George W. Bush
April 2002

     In April 2002, building on his Administration’s emphasis on preschool programs, President Bush announced the Good Start, Grow Smart preschool education initiative with three goals:
  • Strengthening Head Start;
  • Partnering with States to improve early childhood education; and
  • Providing information on child development and early learning to teachers, caregivers, parents, and grandparents and closing the gap between research and practice in early childhood education.
     

The initiative recognizes that for Head Start, achieving program goals means not only improving children’s health and nutrition, but preparing them to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Research shows that Head Start can achieve better school-readiness for its children by specifying particular skills and abilities to be taught in pre-reading, language, mathematics, cognitive skills, and social/emotional competencies.
     The Budget increases Head Start by $169 million, including $45 million to support State implementation of a demonstration authority to promote better coordination of existing programs, to improve services for families and children, and to achieve better results with the resources already being used.

New Parent-Mentor Early Education Initiative.
     Head Start has a long history of parent involvement. This initiative would build on that legacy by offering training for between 2,000 and 3,000 Head Start parents in a science-based curriculum designed to improve early language and literacy skill outcomes. This cadre of parent-mentors would then train tens of thousands of Head Start parents throughout the country. The initiative would support the goal of increasing school readiness, at a cost of at least $3 million, which would be financed from existing Head Start funding.


Head Start Act As Amended October 27, 1998:

The scope of the act, in effect through 2003, incorporates:
(636) Purpose, (637) Definitions, (638) Financial Assistance, (639) Authorization of Appropriations, (640) Allotment of Funds; Limitations of Assistance, (641) Designation of Agencies, (641A) Quality Standards, Results-Based Performance Standards, (642) Powers and Functions of Head Start Agencies, (642A) Head Start Transition, (643) Submission of Plans to Governors, (644) Administrative Requirements and Standards ,( 645) Participation in Head Start Programs, ( 645A) Early Head Start, ( 646) Appeals, Notice, and Hearing, ( 647) Records and Audits, ( 648) Technical Assistance and Training, ( 648A) Staff Qualifications and Development, (649) Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation, (650) Reports, ( 653) Comparability of Wages, (654) Nondiscrimination Provisions, (655) Limitation with Respect to Certain Unlawful Activities, (656) Political Activities, ( 657) Advance Funding.

Program Performance Standards and Other Regulations:
Head Start Programs operate under detailed regulations and program performance standards. Topics addressed include:
Grants Administration; Policies and Procedures for Selection, Initial Funding and Refunding of Head Start Grantees and for Selection of Replacement Grantees; Appeal Procedures; Program Performance Standards; Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance; Staffing Requirements and Program Options; Performance Standards on Services for Children with Disabilities; Facilities Purchase; Transportation; Head Start Fellows Program.

Funding Opportunities/Program Announcements:
Grant awards, program announcements and changes in deadlines are presented here.

Head Start Statistical Fact Sheets: The most recent budget, enrollment, demographic and program figures are presented.

1999
2000
2001
2002
2003

Information Memorandums/Program Instructions: (HSIPC) IMs provide program tools, models and techniques for program development. PIs provide procedures and methods for implementing program policies; add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements and/or convey guidance for actions Head Start programs are expected or required to make.

Last Modified: 02/03/2004

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