House Education Committee February 4, 2009

Let’s take a look…

What is Head Start? Federal Program started in 1965 Federal Program started in 1965 All Head Start Grantees must meet and abide by Federal Performance Standards All Head Start Grantees must meet and abide by Federal Performance Standards Governed by Board of Directors (Community Members) and Policy Council (Parents) Governed by Board of Directors (Community Members) and Policy Council (Parents) All Head Start services (education, family, disabilities, health, etc) provided at no cost All Head Start services (education, family, disabilities, health, etc) provided at no cost Comprehensive focus on both child and family Comprehensive focus on both child and family Early health and developmental screenings are required for all children Early health and developmental screenings are required for all children

What is Head Start? Monitoring and reporting is extensive Monitoring and reporting is extensive Over 5000 regulations associated with Head Start Over 5000 regulations associated with Head Start Early Alert System to discuss individual program challenges and to make improvement plans Early Alert System to discuss individual program challenges and to make improvement plans Triennial on-site program reviews by the Office of Head Start (OHS) Triennial on-site program reviews by the Office of Head Start (OHS) Annual Program Information Report (PIR) Annual Program Information Report (PIR) Monthly enrollment reporting Monthly enrollment reporting Each grantee is required to create and publish an annual report Each grantee is required to create and publish an annual report Annual self assessment required – participation and oversight by both policy council and governing board Annual self assessment required – participation and oversight by both policy council and governing board

Who is Eligible for Head Start Services? Who is Eligible for Head Start Services? Priority is given to: Priority is given to: Children from low income families Children from low income families 2009 Income Guidelines 2009 Income Guidelines Family Size Income Family Size Income 2 $18,210 4 $27,570 6 $36,930 8 $46,290

Who is Eligible for Head Start Services? (continued) Who is Eligible for Head Start Services? (continued) Priority is also given to: Priority is also given to: Children with special needs Children with special needs Homeless children Homeless children Foster children Foster children Children who will attend kindergarten the following year Children who will attend kindergarten the following year Returning Head Start children Returning Head Start children

How Many Children Do We Serve? 17 Grantees provide services in 100 Alaskan communities 17 Grantees provide services in 100 Alaskan communities There are just over 3,100 Head Start slots available statewide in FY 2009 There are just over 3,100 Head Start slots available statewide in FY 2009 A conservative estimate is that over 7,700 children in our state are currently eligible but are not served A conservative estimate is that over 7,700 children in our state are currently eligible but are not served For more details please refer to: Alaska Head Start Association Fact Sheet Program Year

What Services Do We Provide? Educational Services Educational Services Pre-Literacy Pre-Literacy Pre-Math Pre-Math Social and Emotional Development Social and Emotional Development Violence Prevention Violence Prevention Language Development Language Development Creative Arts Creative Arts Physical Health & Development Physical Health & Development

What Services Do We Provide? continued Family Education & Empowerment Family Education & Empowerment Home visits are made by the child’s teacher Home visits are made by the child’s teacher Family goals are set and assistance is given to help meet these goals Family goals are set and assistance is given to help meet these goals Referrals to other community resources or agencies Referrals to other community resources or agencies Family Advocacy is provided for families that need additional assistance Family Advocacy is provided for families that need additional assistance

What Services Do We Provide? continued Health, Dental, Mental Health and Nutritional Services Health, Dental, Mental Health and Nutritional Services Immunizations required Immunizations required Physical exam (including vision and hearing) required Physical exam (including vision and hearing) required Dental exam required Dental exam required Health, Mental Health and Nutrition consultations are provided Health, Mental Health and Nutrition consultations are provided Head Start is required to follow up on all identified concerns Head Start is required to follow up on all identified concerns

What Are The Goals? Early Intervention Early Intervention Family Involvement and Empowerment Family Involvement and Empowerment Developing an Educational Foundation Developing an Educational Foundation Social and Emotional Development Social and Emotional Development Addressing any and all obstructions to learning (health, nutrition, transportation) Addressing any and all obstructions to learning (health, nutrition, transportation) In summary… SCHOOL READINESS! In summary… SCHOOL READINESS!

What is Needed? AHSA Critical Issues 2009 Increase State of Alaska Investment Increase State of Alaska Investment Develop a comprehensive state plan Develop a comprehensive state plan Dedicated workforce development funds Dedicated workforce development funds Support increased health care access Support increased health care access Capital funds to address current and future needs Capital funds to address current and future needs

Other Resources Alaska Head Start Association Pre-K Position Paper Alaska Head Start Association Pre-K Position Paper ISER Research Summary – Jan 2009 “The Cost of Crime: Could the State Reduce Future Crime and Save Money by Expanding Education and Treatment Programs?” ISER Research Summary – Jan 2009 “The Cost of Crime: Could the State Reduce Future Crime and Save Money by Expanding Education and Treatment Programs?” Economic Impact of Early Education and Child Care Services in Alaska McDowell Group – July 2006 Economic Impact of Early Education and Child Care Services in Alaska McDowell Group – July

Questions ? Thank You !