Facilities and Learning Environments reinforce the importance of designing and maintaining all facilities so they actively support children and families in both indoor and outdoor environments. Transportation supports the safe and efficient movement of children from one point to another.
Explore the specific regulations in the Head Start Act and the Head Start Program Performance Standards that grantees should consider when they want to purchase, construct, or renovate a facility using Head Start grant funds. Use this facilities guidance resource to support the development and analysis of facilities applications in regard to these regulations.
The poverty guidelines, which are issued every year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services, are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes. Grantees often have questions regarding who is eligible for enrollment in Head Start and other social services programs. These frequently asked questions will assist them in understanding how to use the guidelines to assess eligibility and other questions they may have.
Eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) tasks are some of the most important work performed by Head Start programs.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides information that will assist programs in determining the gross income of those families with members in the armed forces. Family service staff will find this information beneficial in determining the eligibility of children of military families for enrollment in the Head Start program.
The HHS Poverty Guidelines are used to determine income eligibility for participation in Head Start programs. Program staff may refer to these resources when working with families.
Research on continuity of care has found that instability is high with low-income families. Extending eligibility redeterminations to 12 months or more provides financial stability for families. It also gives continuous early care and education for children.
Program directors and human resources managers may use this resource to enhance their search strategies for hiring and retaining qualified staff. This article outlines each phase of an effective search strategy.
The community assessment describes the context in which Head Start programs operate and is useful for ensuring that the correct services are provided to the appropriate population. This resource can assist program staff in coordinating their efforts to gather information required for a community assessment. The assessment paints a picture of the community and describes the different needs of families who may receive services. In addition, the community assessment covers the community's history, its economic and political scene, and its strengths and challenges.
All of the grant related standard forms are posted on the Grants.gov Forms Repository website. Fiscal staff, grants writing staff and senior staff within Head Start programs and organizations applying for grants can download PDF versions of grant application forms. There also are reporting forms, certification forms, and disclosure forms.