THE MISSION: HEAD START of Greater Dallas provides children with the foundation of skills and knowledge they need to be successful in school and life and fosters self-reliant families and communities.

FAMILY ADVOCATE OVERVIEW

HEAD START Family Community CHILD

Eligibility  HEAD START – Children three to five years old. Children three to five years old.  EARLY HEAD START – Pregnant moms and children Pregnant moms and children six weeks to three years old six weeks to three years old (zero to three). (zero to three).  Families meeting the income guidelines. guidelines.

Recruitment  Community agencies;  agencies serving children with disabilities; disabilities;  hospitals and churches;  Schools (Kindergarten Round- Up); Up);  radio, TV, newspaper, internet;&  community assessment.

Selection  99 point screening system that prioritizes families for enrollment. prioritizes families for enrollment.  At-risk families with:  domestic violence issues;  child abuse issues;  mental health issues;  single parent families;  families with children with disabilities;  families who do not speak English;  children who are four; and  low-income families.

2006 Income Guidelines 1 9, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,600

Enrollment  Enroll children throughout the year to meet and maintain the year to meet and maintain center’s funded enrollment. center’s funded enrollment.  Vacancies are filled as soon as possible and no later than as possible and no later than 30 days after vacancies occur. 30 days after vacancies occur.

Folder Review  Center team reviews database forms for completeness. for completeness.  Family advocates note missing data for follow-up & identify families for follow-up & identify families that need immediate services. that need immediate services.  Center team sets up enrolled children’s folders. children’s folders.

Re-enrollment  Children who need Head Start for a second year pre-enroll. for a second year pre-enroll.  Families update information.  Information is shared with families to maintain children’s families to maintain children’s academic progress and academic progress and achieve family goals. achieve family goals.

Attendance  Maintain 85% attendance.  Family advocates contact family after child has been family after child has been out three consecutive days out three consecutive days with a call, home visit or with a call, home visit or correspondence. correspondence.

Family Partnerships  Home visits are made by Family Advocates to assess family Advocates to assess family strengths and needs. strengths and needs.  Partner with families to set goals.  Refer families to in-house & community resources.  Chart each family’s progress toward self-reliance and follow up as needed to document outcomes.

FAMILY ADVOCATE  Intensive case management.  Parent support groups.  Parent education.  Community partnership.

Community Development HEAD START of Greater Dallas, Inc.’s nonfederal share is 20% of its grant each year. The nonfederal share for this year is over $8,000,000. The basic rule of thumb for achieving the nonfederal goal is to get goods and services donated in-kind before any federal money is spent.

Volunteers  We use:  parent and community volunteers,  community service volunteers, and  student interns.  Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.  Nonprofessional volunteers volunteer at a rate of $11.14 per hour. rate of $11.14 per hour.  Professional volunteers volunteer at their professional rate. professional rate.

 Board members volunteer at a rate of $100 per hour. a rate of $100 per hour.  Policy council members volunteer at a rate of $50 volunteer at a rate of $50 per hour. per hour.  Advisory committee members volunteer at a rate of $25 - $50 volunteer at a rate of $25 - $50 per hour. per hour.

Donated Goods  Office furniture;  center furniture;  computer equipment;  computer software.

Space  Center space;  space for training;  meeting space; and  donated land.

Mileage  Parent mileage for dropping off and picking up their children at and picking up their children at the center. the center.  Mileage for board, policy council and advisory committee members. and advisory committee members.  Mileage for volunteers performing their volunteer assignment. their volunteer assignment.

Consultant/Contract Services  Medical/dental discounts.  Special services discounts.

Other Nonfederal  Grants;  vendor discounts;  collaborations.

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