HSIPC: Head Start Bulletin--Head Start Highlights: Head Start-State Collaboration

Head Start-State Collaboration

By Karen C. Mitchell, Program Specialist, Head Start Bureau

"Because no programs, no matter how excellent, can go it alone, we must ensure that Head Start join forces with other providers in the community and state." --Creating a 21^st Century Head Start

Head Start recognizes the importance and role of the States in policies, initiatives, and decisions that affect low-income children and their families. As a result of the efforts of the Head Start-State Collaboration Projects over the past six years, Head Start programs across the country are now working with States to create a mutually developed agenda to benefit this segment of the population. Crucial to the success of these projects is their interaction with and support from the State Head Start Associations. In addition, the Co-Project Directors in the ACF Regional Offices assist in the optimum functioning of the State collaboration offices.

The goal of the State Collaboration grants is to create a visible collaborative presence at the State level that assists in the development of significant, multi-agency, and public-private partnerships. These partnerships are intended to:

Help build or enhance early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children;

Encourage widespread collaboration and partnering between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives to augment Head Start's capacity to be a partner in State initiatives on behalf of children and families; and

Facilitate involvement of Head Start in the development of State policies, plans, and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and other low-income families.

Some accomplishments of the State Collaboration Projects include:

Developing partnerships with local child care communities to increase availability, quality, accessibility, and continuity of child care for all families.

Increasing access for children with developmental delays and/or disabilities to comprehensive early intervention and special education services through linkages with local service providers.

Establishing a mentoring system for Head Start classroom teachers to mentor and provide training and coaching to other Head Start teachers.

Planning an individualized assessment-based training institute for Head Start teachers and administrators.

Sponsoring family literacy training for Head Start staff and staff from early childhood programs.

Designing an early identification system with the State's health care system to identify children born to Head Start families who are at risk of developmental problems.

Identifying local resources available to low-income families, such as comprehensive health and family services.

Establishing demonstration projects with private child care centers to increase the number of Head Start-eligible children who will receive care.

Providing support and information for early child care teaching accreditation.

Developing brochures, pamphlets, booklets, bulletins, and other materials for local community service providers to assist in their understanding of Head Start and the collaborative process.

Developing newsletters advocating and educating on statewide children's issues and disbursing them to relevant State organizations which deal with child care issues.

Participating in State policy planning groups and increasing Head Start's representation on key policy-making boards at the State level.

Developing and distributing surveys to Head Start communities to identify collaborative efforts and determine which communities would benefit with assistance from the Head Start-State Collaboration Project.

Creating advisory committees and councils to develop strategies and plans for implementing policy.

Initiating interaction with national service programs, such as AmeriCorp and the National Senior Corps.

Creating working groups to identify issues and barriers to implementing policies for children and families.

Providing transition grants and other resources to assist in implementing child care and development programs.

As of October 1, 1996, State Collaboration grants have been awarded to 48 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. All States are eligible for a Head Start-State Collaboration grant.

For a listing of calendar events, contact the Head Start Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) at (703) 807-2312 or (800) 477-8278.

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Last Modified: 10/31/01


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