Head Start Survey

On Friday, November 4, 2016, the National Head Start Association released a survey on the new Program Performance Standards. The Partnership encourages you to complete the survey by November 9, 2016. Please circulate this email to the appropriate Head Start staff, if necessary. Your participation is valuable and will provide feedback on each of the new standards.

You can read the letter and take the survey below.

Dear Colleague,

Since the release of the Head Start Program Performance Standards in early September, NHSA has been working diligently to analyze the Standards and collect feedback from the Head Start field. While the Standards represent a strong vision for Head Start's future, how they will be implemented is integral to their success. That is why we want to hear from you!

Take the survey here

This comprehensive survey provides the opportunity for feedback for each part of the new Standards. The questions appear in the same order as the relevant requirements in the new Standards, beginning with Program Governance and ending with Federal Administrative Procedures. If you have just a few minutes to spare or only want to offer feedback in specific areas, you can choose to skip some questions and answer others. Please submit your feedback by November 9th.

If you have any questions, please email Cody Kornack at ckornack@nhsa.org.

We look forward to learning from you and working together to ensure that the new Standards are a success for all of Head Start's children and families.

New Head Start Program Performance Standards

Community Action Partnership hosted two webinars in collaboration with the Office of Head Start on the new HSPPS. Ann Linehan, Deputy Director of the Office of Head Start (OHS), was joined by several OHS staff to review the new Performance Standards and discuss how they impact Community Action Agencies with Head Start programs.

The first webinar was held October 3, 2016 and covered three sections, including 1301 Governance; 1302 Subpart B Program Structure; and 1303 Financial and Administrative Requirements. To view a recording of the first webinar please click here.

The second webinar was held October 24, 2016 and covered Subpart C through Subpart I. To view a recording of the second webinar please click here.

New Head Start Program Performance Standards Reflect

Research, Science, and Best Practice

Now Available with the Appendix and in Spanish!

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently published a final rule revising the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to strengthen and improve the quality of Head Start programs. This action is part of the Administration's early learning efforts to ensure that all children start school ready to succeed.

One of the most significant changes increases the minimum duration of Head Start and Early Head Start programs so that nearly all programs are operating for a full school day and full school year by August 2021.
The regulation is the first comprehensive revision of the Head Start Program Performance Standards since they were originally published in 1975.
Most of the Standards go into effect 60 days from publication, on November 7, 2016.
Certain provisions will be phased in over a five-year period to allow Head Start programs additional time to implement the new requirements.
Head Start grantees are also required to ensure that half of all children in each program participate for a full school day and year by 2019.

Resources:

For a complete copy of the new HSPPS and related resources, please visit the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), including:

ACF-PI-HS-16-04 Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) Final Rule
The HSPPS with Appendix in English and Spanish
General Fact Sheet from the Office of Head Start (OHS)
Questions and Answers about the release of the new HSPPS
The OHS on-demand webinar that introduced the new regulations

Community Action Partnership
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www.communityactionpartnership.com