Region 6 Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start

Best Practices

One of the keys to improving the quality of our Head Start programs in Region 6 is sharing best practices and success stories. If you have a success story or program highlight to share, please send a description of your best practice (not to exceed one page) and a contact for additional information to: chelton@acf.hhs.gov.

Literacy Issues

No Child Left Behind - A new educational law signed by President Bush on January 8, 2002.
Good Start, Grow Smart - President George W. Bush and the First Lady Laura Bush's initiative program called: "Good Start, Grow Smart". This program focuses on early childhood and literacy issues.
Reading First Programs - A national reading program under the U.S. Department of Education which helps young children in every state become better readers.
National Institute for Literacy - Federal organization that shares information about literacy and provides quality services.

Texas Literacy Partnerships and Initiatives

Texas State Library and Archives Commission - Texas Reading Club "Read Across Texas" programs encourage youth to read for pleasure and promotes library usage in Texas public libraries.
2x2 Reading List for Age 2 to Grade 2 - The 2x2 Reading List is a new project of the Children's Round Table, a unit of the Texas Library Association. It's function is to produce 20 recommended books for children age 2 to grade 2.
Texas Reading Initiative - Select the " Head Start (Circle)" link. Circle is an early literacy program which is under the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. It is designed to improve reading readiness for young children.

National Associations

Head Start Regulations

Table of Contents
45 CFR 1301 (pdf) - Head Start Grants Administration
45 CFR 1302 - Policies and procedures for selection, initial funding and refunding of Head Start grantees, and for selection of replacement grantees
45 CFR 1303 (pdf) - Appeal procedures for Head Start grantees and current or prospective delegate agencies
45 CFR 1304_A (doc) - Subpart A. General
45 CFR 1304_B (pdf) - Subpart B. Early Childhood Development and Health Services
45 CFR 1304_C (pdf) - Family and Community Partnerships
45 CFR 1304_D (pdf) - Program Design and Management
45 CFR 1304_E (pdf) - Implementation and Enforcement
Part 1304 Appendix A (pdf) - Governance and Management Responsibilities.
Part1304 CFR 1304 Appendix B - Selected References used for preparation of Program Guidance
45 CFR 1305 (pdf) - Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance in Head Start
45 CFR 1306 - Head Start Staffing requirements and program options
45 CFR 1308 - Head Start Program Performance Standards on services for children with disabilities
45 CFR PART 1309 - Head Start Facilities Purchase
45 CFR PART 1310 (pdf) - Head Start Transportation
45 CFR PART 1311 - Head Start Fellows Program

Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA;)

Early Head Start National Resource Center - created by the Head Start Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, presently operated by Zero To Three, Washington, DC, and works together with West Ed of Asusilito, CA.
Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers & Families - The Nation's Leading Resources on the First Years of Life.
Quality in Linking Together (QUILT) - National training and technical assistance project funded by the Federal Head Start and Child Care Bureaus.
Head Start (IHS) Program - Indian Health Services Program, assists Head Start American Indian Program Branch (AIPB) grantees in developing health, dental, nutrition and mental health services programs for children and families. Provides technical and training assistance to 150 Head Start grantees in 26 states and connects them with IHS and tribal health services. To find information pertaining to Head Start select the link, "National Programs and Initiative," from the Indian Health Services main website. Then select the "Head Start" link from the main website titled "National Programs Initiative".
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Quality Improvement Center - provides comprehensive Head Start services including child development and social services to low-income migrant and seasonal families working in agriculture throughout the United States.
Texas Tech University (Child and Family Studies) - provides training and technical assistance for Region 6 Head Start programs with high quality, cost effective services.
Head Start Grant Application Process Training Package (Part I, II (pdf) , III (pdf) , & IV (pdf) )- Do you often feel like you're in a maze when preparing grant applications? This guide will provide helpful hints and practical techniques to guide you through the maze of preparing grant applications.

School Transportation News (Head Start)

Laws, Regulations, Information Memorandums, Guidelines and Comments to the Docket (Head Start Transportation) - users will find the important laws and regulations, information memorandums, interpretation letters, notices of proposal rulemaking, final rules and more, that list the changes in transportation.
NHTSA's School Bus Safety Program - committed to reducing school bus related crashes, injuries, and facilities through both behavioral and vehicle regulations.
National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services - provides leadership, assistance and motivation to the Nation's school transportation industry.
2004 Texas School Bus Specifications (pdf) - a table listing all 2004 Texas School Bus Specification Revisions.

Program Listings

Head Start Bureau - serves the child development needs of preschool children (birth through age five) and their low-income families.
Head Start Publications Management Center - supports the Head Start community and other organizations working in the interest of children and families by providing information products and other services.
Grant Application Budget Instrument (GABI) version 2.0.0 - Please read GABI downloading instructions provided on AIR's website before downloading GABI to your PC.
Program Review Instrument for Systems Monitoring (PRISM) version 5.0.0 (SP1) - by American Institutes for Research.
HSFIS version 4.3 -Head Start Family Information System is a fully automated case management record keeping system. The software is designed to collect, organize, maintain and report on information on child/family to grantee/delegate in order to assist agencies in managing and improving services.

Head Start & Education Grant Application Information

Head Start Grant Application Forms - applying for ACF grants and reporting on the status of grant projects.
U.S. Department of Education - Please select the Grants and Contracts Box for more information on applying for Even Start and Early Reading First grant applications.
U.S. Department of Education Grants and Contract Information - provides information such as grant award opportunities and grant application forms to the public.