GIVING HOMELESS KIDS A HEAD START IN OREGON

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN History 1965 federal Head Start – War on Poverty Increase social competence -- child’s everyday effectiveness in present environment and later in life Interrelatedness of social, emotional, cognitive and physical development Children develop in the context of family and culture Parents as primary educators of their children 1987 Oregon Prekindergarten -- replica of federal Head Start (20% over income versus 10%)

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Early Childhood Development and Health Services Child Health and Development Services Education & Early Childhood Development Child Health & Safety Child Nutrition Child Mental Health

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Family and Community Partnerships Family Partnerships Community Partnerships

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDEREGARTEN Program Design and Management Program Governance Governance and Management Responsibilities Management and Systems Procedures Human Resources Management Facilities, Material and Equipment

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Implementation and Enforcement Deficiencies and Quality Improvement Plans Noncompliance

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance Head Start Staffing Requirements and Program Options

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Services for Children with Disabilities Disabilities Service Plan Social Services Performance Standards Health Services Education Services Nutrition Services Parent Involvement

OREGON HEAD START PREKINDERGARTEN Eligibility -- lower than free lunch! 100% of poverty Family of three -- $17,170 annually or $1,431 per month Family of Four -- $20,650 annually or $1,721 per month

Oregon Head Start PreK 21 jointly funded grantees 8 state funded grantees 5 Tribal Head Start 1 Migrant/Seasonal Head Start (serving eleven counties)

Oregon Head Start PreK Diverse Service Delivery Private Non-profits 7 Community Action Agencies 3 Higher Education 5 Local Education Agencies

Giving Homeless Kids a Head Start Homeless kids and their parent/s living with friends -- multiple families living in one home Homeless kids and their parent/s living with grandparents and/or other relatives Homeless kids and their parents living in cars and campgrounds Kids and parents that become homeless

Neighborhood House Head Start PreK, SW Portland – Multnomah County Turning Point, Transitional Housing Project for homeless families (6 to 18 months) – classroom, office space, playground, classroom furniture Morning and afternoon classes Head Start located in Transitional Housing Project - children attend and parents participate in Head Start If children move out, families can self-transport and keep children in Head Start or Head Start will assist them in getting into a Head Start in their new area Contact: Angela Deparini, Head Start Manager (503)

Migrant/Seasonal Head Start PreK Oregon Child Development Coalition Silverton/Mt. Angel -- Marion County St. Joseph Shelter – provides clothing and food for families and activities for children Started seven years ago Recruit at the Shelter for enrollment in Head Start – flyers, phone and Shelter’s staff meetings, provides transportation to and from Shelter to Head Start site Refer families to the Shelter for housing Joint case management to assist with finding stable housing and transition to other Head Start site if they move out of service area Contact: Sister Marcella, Case Manager for Homeless Families (503)

Salem/Keizer Public School Head Start PreK, Salem -- Marion County Refers homeless children to Community Action Head Start of Marion and Polk Counties -- YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter Site Partners with the Salem/Keizer School District’s Homeless Department for joint recruitment of homeless children -- school district homeless liaison’s go out to the Shelters in the Salem/Keizer School District area and notify Head Start if age eligible children are in the Shelters Contact: Stephanie Whetzel, Head Start Coordinator (503)

South Coast Head Start PreK Coos Bay -- Coos and Curry Counties Women Crisis Shelter -- referral to Head Start if there are age eligible children Head Start provides transportation to and from the Shelter If family moves out of service area, they can self- transport or transfer to another Head Start site Informal joint case management for referral and advocacy Contact: Dale Hellend, Head Start Director (541)

Oregon State University Head Start PreK Corvallis -- Benton County School District’s Homeless Education Program serves as hub -- part of homeless network for families already homeless, families who are going to be homeless, families in the process of finding stable housing Recruitment - work with SD Liaison/Family Outreach Advocate, serve as initial referral sources and responders to referrals Assistance - payment for gas, purchase of bus passes, health assessments as soon as possible upon enrollment, coordinate with other Head Start to provide best placement considering transportation options Contact: Joanne Sorte, Head Start Director (541)

Head Start of Lane County Eugene, Oregon First Place Family Center, St. Vincent De Paul -- day center for homeless families, licensed child care center foe preschool age and drop-in child care EC Cares places children with disabilities and U of O provides graduate students This fall, Head Start will place six homeless children there -- provides bus passes Move to other sites, if needed -- keep in current site if waiting list Contact: Jake Spavins, Child Care Director (541)

Community Action Head Start Marion and Polk Counties, Salem Head Start for Homeless Collaborative Project -- research, common goal of self-sufficiency, evaluation to measure project outcomes YMCA/Salem Outreach Shelter -- Head Start is located in the Shelter, renovated to accommodate a Head Start classroom/playground by pooling resources; space shared during non-operation of Head Start 15 children in morning and afternoon classes, can accommodate 20 to allow flexibility to enroll as needed Head Start Family Educator and SD Homeless Liaison – referral and service coordination Bus passes donated each month, health and mental health for families without insurance, support group for parents, transportation provided regardless of location When move to stable housing, families can chose to continue in Outreach site or transfer to another site Contacts: Heather Simmons and Eva Pignottie (503)

GIVING HOMELESS KIDS A HEAD START