Head Start What is it and how can

Head Start What is it and how can I help my clients apply? Melissa Marrs, Impact Northwest

Head Start Readiness Enhancement Project n n 3 year project, funded by Northwest Health Foundation Worked to ensure that our eligible PCDS families got enrolled (or on the waitlist) for Head Start and had the support they needed to stay enrolled. Before the project— 37% of our eligible children were enrolled or on the waitlist for Head Start After the project— 97% of eligible children were enrolled or on the waitlist

What is Head Start? n n Free preschool program for children 3 -4 years old by September 1 st of current school year Nutritious meals are provided Regular health/dental/vision/hea ring screenings Mental Health Services for children n Home visits from teachers and family advocates n Access to resources n Free adult education classes offered (ESL, Basic Ed, Driver’s ed) n Parent’s encouraged to participate in policy council and volunteering in the classroom

Area Head Start Providers § § § Mt. Hood Community College Portland Public Schools Albina Head Start Siletz Head Start--(classroom at Whitman Elementary) Neighborhood House Clackamas Head Start

Obstacles to Enrollment n n Lack of Information: Many families did not know about the services Head Start provides or did not know they were eligible for Head Start. Form completion: Low literacy, language barriers, difficulty obtaining necessary documentation, not knowing when the best time of the year to apply is or which program to apply to, or how to apply (mail, in person etc. ) Transportation: Lack of transportation to get documents, get to appointments, get their child to school, workdaycare in different service boundary than their home address, households with multiple children taking long bus rides to school and back twice a day. Head Start Capacity: With so many children on the waitlist, Head Start did not have to ability to walk these vulnerable families through the enrollment process.

Obstacles to Retention in Head Start n n n n Difficulty establishing household routines Children having a hard time with the transition (crying, acting out, regressing, etc. ) Vulnerable families often experience crisis situations Highly mobile families Mental health challenges Substance abuse issues Multiple foster care placements

Solutions to obstacles—Enrollment • • Provide information to families about Head Start, the services it provides, its value to children & families Establish relationships with area Head Start providers Invite advocates from Head Start programs to speak to parent/child groups Inform families of application timelines, documentation necessary Assist families with form completion Make referrals for immunizations, health services Provide Transportation or bus passes

Solutions to obstacles--Retention • • • Coordinate with Head Start mental health specialists to establish supportive classroom environments for children with mental health/ behavioral challenges Connect with Head Start advocates regarding children and families with special/high needs Create a specialized home visit plan to help children and parents prepare for head start transition over the summer. • • Emphasize the importance of routines—help families create schedules/routines/plans/strategies Emphasize importance of regular attendance and being on time Emphasize that routines, attendance, etc are an important life skill for the entire family that will benefit entire school career Give family clear picture of what to expect from the program and from themselves

How does a child qualify for Head Start? These eligibility requirements vary by provider; this is a general snapshop. Contact specific providers for their own requirements. n n Age: must turn 3 or 4 by September 1 st for that school year Income guidelines: must be at or below 100 -130% of Poverty Level (most are 100% or less of FPL) or qualify for TANF, SSI or ERDC OR Child has/is one of the following (sometimes with income qualification): q A suspected or diagnosed disability (IFSP individualized family service plan or MECP Multnomah Early Childhood Program) q Homeless (including living doubled up with other family, living in RV, campground, shelter, car, park, public spaces or substandard housing) q Foster Child q To qualify for Extended DayFull Day Care vs. Part-day program all parents must meet the provider’s criteria for working certain amount of hours per week or being enrolled in school for certain amount of credits; contact provider for specifics. Not all children who qualify will get into Head Start, most programs have long waitlists. Waitlists are not first-come, first served.

Waitlist is not first come first serve! Enrollment is based on a points system that assesses a child’s need for the Head Start services; children with highest need tend to be served. Each provider’s criteria for points varies; contact the provider to get their specific criteria. Here is a sample of the types of factors used to assess need. When completing an application make sure that your family shares all factors that could demonstrate the child’s need and help their child get selected. n n n n Homelessness ParentChild disability English Second Language Teen Parent Referral from an agency (Send referral letter with application) Substance abuse Foster Child or DHS child welfare involvement Domestic Violence n n n n n Single parent Domestic Violence High risk pregnancy Disaster or tragedy (severe trauma) Chronic illness EHS or previous HS experience Older sibling in program Returning Student Child on waitlist previous year without enrolling

What will Families need to apply? Different programs may need the following at different times in the application process, but all forms will be required. n n n Program Application, and in some cases Proof of Address (Additional paperwork required if family is homeless) Income verification for past 12 months (ex: TANF, SSI, ERDC Tax return, W-2, pay stubs for past 12 months, foster document, or written statement on company letterhead confirming income. ) Birth Verification (birth certificate, hospital record, baptism certificate, other document that has the child’s DOB on it may be accepted) n Immunization records n Document of Disability (if applicable)

Head Start FAQ Mt. Hood Portland Public Community College Schools Albina Head Start Best time to Apply? AprilMay (accept year round) Feb-May (accept year round) Year round How can I get updated application? Call 503 -491 -6111 to have one mailed http: //www. mhcc. edu/Communit y. Connections. aspx? id=1025 www. headstart. pps. k 12. or. us/ departments/headstart/4620. h tm www. albinajobs. org/familiese nrollment. html How do I apply? In person at main site (10100 NE Prescott) or call 503 -491 -6111 to get help with applying. In-person, mail, or fax to neighborhood site or main site (4800 NE 74 th Ave 503 -9165724) In-person to main site or mail to main site (3417 NE 7 th Ave 503 -282 -1975) What languages are applications in? EnglishSpanishRussian English/SpanishChinese, Vietnamese on website. Call for copy of Russian application EnglishSpanish on website When will families most likely be notified if they were selected? Late JulyAugust Late June or early September Within 2 weeks of program receiving complete application When does Head Start begin? About 3 rd week in September Early September

Head Start FAQ Siletz Neighborhood House Clackamas Best time to Apply? April (Accept Applications year round) Feb-April (accept year round) Summer prior How can I get updated application? Call 1 -800 -922 -1399 ext 1376 or go online at http: //www. ctsi. nsn. us/Siletz. Tribal-Services-Umpqua. Clackamas-County-warmsprings-Multnomah-Falls. Tillamook/education/headstart Call Lena Avakyan 503 -246 -1663 x 7307 Call Katlin Combest 503 -6754565 How do I apply? Mail or fax application. Fax: 541 -444 -2307 (number and address also on application) 503 -246 -1663 #7307 Family calls program to get on the waitlist What languages are applications in? English and Spanish, but other languages can be made available. EnglishSpanish When will families most likely be notified if they were selected? July June-August Late August early September When does Head Start begin? Usually 1 st or 2 nd week in September About 3 rd week in September

Additional Information Mt. Hood Community College Portland Public Schools Albina Head Start Special considerations? Only families who meet income at 100% FPL will be accepted. Student program for those attending MHCC full time Will give priority to 4 year olds on the waitlist before 3 year olds in most cases. Has one language specific classroom for Spanish speaking 3 year olds in NE Can accept slightly higher income levels for program if all parents in household are working or going to school at least part-time and receive ERDC How often is class? Part day=(Sept-June)4 days per week for 3. 5 hours per day Full day (year round)=M-F hours vary by site Student Program= Mon-Fri Part day (Sep. June)=M, T, Th, F, alternating Wed Am-8: 45 -11: 45 Pm-12: 15 -3: 15 Full day=Mon-Thurs 8: 453: 15 September-May 5 days per week Open 7: 30 -5: 30 Child needs to attend at least 6 hours per day, 8 hours if they have ERDC Transportation provided? Yes to many part-day sites. No-but some assistance is provided with bus tickets Boundaries of Program? (Address of where child sleeps at night must be in the program’s boundary to attend) Unless homeless Mid and East Multnomah County outside of PPS Boundaries PPS School boundaries www. pps. k 12. or. us North-Columbia River South-Johnson Creek West- Willamette River East 110 th Ave

Additional Information Siletz Neighborhood House Clackamas Special considerations? Native American curriculum based on Native culture. Priority given to children who are descendent member of a federally recognized tribe Enrollment is based on scoring criteria with highest scores obtaining first available slots. Scores are based on a variety of needs and risk factors. How often is class? Monday-Thursday 8: 30 -12: 00 Currently Mon – Thurs 3. 5 hours per day. Morning and Afternoon sessions available 3 year olds attend 2 times a week for 2. 5 -3 hours and 4 year olds attend 3 times per week for 2. 5 -3 hours Transportation provided? Yes-if the family is in the transportation area. No child can be in transit for more than one hour Currently on a VERY limited basis Yes-if the family is in the transportation boundaries Boundaries of Program? (Address of where child sleeps at night must be in the program’s boundary to attend) Unless homeless No Geographic boundaries Southwest Portland Clackamas County

Head Start Provider Websites n Albina Head Start Website & Applications: http: //albinajobs. org/familiesenrollment. html n Portland Public Schools Head Start & Applications: http: //www. pps. k 12. or. us/departments/head-start/ n Siletz Tribal Head Start Website & Applications http: //www. ctsi. nsn. us/Siletz-Tribal-Services-Umpqua-Clackamas. County-warm-springs-Multnomah-Falls. Tillamook/education/headstart n Neighborhood House Oregon Pre. Kindergarten Website: http: //www. nhweb. org/programs/pre-kindergarten. shtml n Mt Hood Community College Head Start Website: n n http: //www. mhcc. edu/Community. Connections. aspx? id=1025 Clackamas County Head Start Website: http: //cccchs. org/

Other Helpful Website Links Other resources for Head Start or other pre-K enrollment purposes: n Poverty Income Guidelines: http: //www. ocpp. org/cgibin/display. cgi? page=poverty n PPS School Boundary Map: http: //www. pps. k 12. or. us/schools/maps. htm n PPS Find Neighborhood School: http: //www. pps. k 12. or. us/schoolsc/find_your_school. php n School District Boundary Map for all districts in Multnomah County: http: //www. mesd. k 12. or. us/pa/Boundarymap 08. pdf

What is Early Head Start and how does it relate to Head Start? n n n Early Head Start is a lot like Head Start but is for children prenatal – 3 yrs. All eligibility and application requirements for Head Start pertain to Early Head Start; see previous slides for requirements per provider. There are 3 providers of Early Head Start services locally: Albina Early Head Start, Mt Hood Community College Early Head Start and Neighborhood House Early Oregon Pre. Kindergarten. See previous slides for contact information. Early Head Start offers two service options: q Center-based, full-day model (for children of parents who are working or in school, just like with Head Start); or q Home-based model (weekly 1. 5 hr home visits throughout the school-year focused on child development and parent-child relationship, bi-monthly parent-child groups, extensive child development & health screenings, connection to family resources). Center-based Early Head Start has long waitlists because there are not many slots available locally; home-based services tend to have more openings. Enrolling a family in home-based services can put them at an advantage to getting into center-based Early Head Start and into Head Start.

Resources/Programs for families who do not qualify or who do not get into Head Start Program Description Contact/ Additional Info Early Head Start For children under 3 years old. Center-based for workingschool parents, home-based for nonworkingschool. Same application process as Head Start. See previous slides with contact information for Albina Head Start, Mt Hood Community College Head Start, and Neighborhood House Oregon Pre. Kindergarten Multnomah Early Childhood Peer program Includes special needs and typically developing children in an integrated preschool setting. The program offers half-day sections a $5 a session for peers. Qualifying families don't pay fees. 503 -262 -4100 or http: //www. mesd. k 12. or. us/se/sped/EC/ Peers. shtml Portland Public Schools Pre-K Programs Nine pre-kindergarten programs are available. Five sites are part-day, 3 sites are full-day; those 8 are tuition free. One site is full day Japanese Immersion and charges monthly tuition. There are 4 additional schools in PPS that operate private, part-day preschools charging monthly tuition. To qualify for the tuition-free sites, children must live in PPS boundary and their neighborhood school must be a Title I school. http: //www. pps. k 12. or. us/departments/ki ndergarten/ 503 -916 -3230 or 503 -916 -3184.

Resources/Programs for families who do not qualify or who do not get into Head Start Program Description Contact/ Additional Info Portland Parks and Recreationpre. K programs at Community Centers Operates 13 community centers located throughout Portland. Offers between 150 - 200 part-day Pre. K classes per season throughout the year. Classes typically 2 - 3 days per week, 2 - 3. 5 hours per day, 6 - 8 weeks per season. Specific offerings and costs vary by community center; cost ranges from $90 - $200 per 6 - 8 week series. Most community centers also provide a variety of other parent-child activities. All services charge fees for all but some scholarships available through individual community centers. Varies by community center and by season. http: //www. portlandonline. com/parks/ ? c=38277 Friendly House preschool Provides half-day educational program for children ages 3 -5. Offers a meal and snack during each class session, developmental screenings and assessments, and parenting support. Provides scholarships on sliding fee scale. Located in NW Portland. Abby Strom, Director preschool@friendlyhouseinc. org 503 -228 -4391 http: //www. friendlyhouseinc. org/progr ams/children/preschool/

Resources/Programs for families who do not qualify or who do not get into Head Start Program Description Contact/ Additional Info Co-op Pre. Schools A cooperative preschool is a program that is operated by a group of parents who help the teacher in the classroom, are given opportunities for education, and are involved in decision-making. Fees are lower than typical preschool because parents volunteer in classrooms. Circle of Friends Coop Preschool (503) 916 -5762 9015 SE Rural St Rm #2 at Kelly Center next to Kelly Elementary Part-day programs. Call for application and fee information Brooklyn Co-Op Preschool (503)234 -7103 SE 29 TH and Steele in Reedwood Friends Church Mornings. Call for fee information. For other locations, call Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (503) 293 -6161 http: //lefh. net/pcpo/Member_Schools/member_schools. htm PCDS (Parent Child Development Services) and other Home. Visiting & Child Development Programs Parent Child playgroups, home visits, and child developmental screenings to promote positive parenting, healthy child development and school readiness. Catholic Charities El Programa Hispano (503) 669 -8350 xt. 6827 or 6829 Hacienda CDC (503) 459 -3704 or 3568 Impact NW (503) 988 -5961 IRCO (503) 235 -9396 Morrison Child & Family: Listos para Aprender (503) 736 -6519 Mt Hood Community College (503) 491 -6111 Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) (503) 2241044 Neighborhood House (503) 246 -1663 xt 4007 Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) (503) 249 -17821

Resources/Programs for families who do not qualify or who do not get into Head Start Program Description Contact/ Additional Info Conectando, Instruyendo, y Aprendiendo (CIA) For Spanish speaking families with children ages 2, 3 or 4 years of age by Sept. 1 st and in Portland Public Schools boundary. Bi-monthly home visits, from a trained Home Visitor, who is a member of the community s/he serves; includes monthly groups. Focus on kindergarten-readiness. Catherine Moore, Coordinator, cmoore@pps. k 12. or. us or 503 -916 -5628 Juntos Aprendemos Provides weekly kindergarten-readiness classes 30 weeks per school year to Latino preschoolaged children & their parents at Rigler, Scott, Glenfair, and Chavez Elementary Schools. Focuses on learning letters, numbers, colors and developing classroom-based social skills and familiarizing parents with public education system and importance of school. Sadie Feibel, Director of Education Programs sadie@latnet. org or 503 -283 -6881

Resources/Programs for families who do not qualify or who do not get into Head Start Program Description Contact/ Additional Info Childcare Resource & Referral of Multnomah County Provides childcare information & referral services to parents, including: a database of child care providers and preschool providers to assist in referral for parents to find childcare and preschools. Also connects families to sources of financial assistance for childcare and preschool. Provides information on children's development and age specific questionsconcerns, including kindergarten transition. Specialists available to consult with parents concerning children's social-emotional adjustment and-or special needs for childcare. Parent training available. Contact (503)548 -4400 http: //www. ccrr-mc. org/

Internal Organization/Program Systems to Improve Access to Head Start • • Designate a primary contact with Head Start providers for your program or agency Create centralized and shared (electronic) folder to keep updated Head Start applications, timelines, information, resources, procedures (i. e. , Head Start decision tree, template for letter to Head Start) • Create centralized reporting/tracking system to trigger notification of when child will be eligible for Head Start and when to start application process. • Prepare and keep in stock a “transition kit” with activities, books, handouts discussing transition to school to prepare children/parents (for example, Parents as Teacher curriculum offers lesson plans for pre-k and kindergarten transitions)