Head Start and Oregon Prekindergarten

1 1 Head Start and Oregon PrekindergartenWhat is it and how can I help my clients apply?(Updated for 2014-2015)originally compiled by Melissa Marrs, Impact Northwest, 20112 Head Start Readiness Enhancement Project, 2011 Historical Background 3 year project, funded by Northwest Health Foundation Worked to ensure that Impact NW s eligible PCDS/home visiting families got enrolled (or on the waitlist) for Head Start and had the support they needed to stay enrolled. Before the project 37% of Impact NW s eligible children were enrolled or on the waitlist for Head Start After the project 97% of Impact NW s eligible children were enrolled or on the waitlist Lessons learned from the project resulted in compilation of the information/tips contained in these : Because Head Start and Oregon Prekindergarten are such similar programs, this guide refers to them primarily as Head Start 3 What is Head Start and Oregon Prekindergarten ?

2 Free preschool program for children 3-4 years old by September 1stof current school year Nutritious meals are provided Regular health/dental/vision/hearing screenings Mental Health Services for children Home visits from teachers and family advocates Access to resources Free adult education classes offered (ESL, Basic Ed, Driver s ed) Parent s encouraged to participate in policy council and volunteering in the classroom4 Area Providers of Head Start and Oregon Prekindergarten Mt. Hood Community College Portland Public Schools Albina Head Start Siletz Tribe Head Start -(classroom at Whitman Elementary) Neighborhood House NAYA/ Oregon Child Development Coalition, NAYA/Portland Public Schools Clackamas Head Start Oregon Child Development Coalition5 Obstacles to enrollment Lack of Information:Many families did not know about the services Head Start provides or did not know they were eligible for Head Start .

3 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, work\daycare 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.

4 6 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 passes7 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 for helping connect families 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.

5 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)8 How does a child qualify for Head Start ?These eligibility requirements vary by provider; this is a general snapshot. Contact specific providers for their own requirements. Age: must turn 3 or 4 by September 1st 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 ERDCOR Child has/is one of the following (sometimes with income qualification): A suspectedor diagnoseddisability(IFSP individualized family service plan or MECP Multnomah Early Childhood Program) Homeless(including living doubled up with other family, living in RV, campground, shelter, car, park, public spaces or substandard housing) Foster Child To qualify for Extended Day\Full Day Carevs.

6 Part-day programall 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 all children who qualify will get into Head Start , most programs have long waitlists. Waitlists are not first-come, first is not first come first served! 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.

7 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. Homelessness Parent\Child 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 Single parent Domestic Violence High risk pregnancy Disaster or tragedy (severe trauma) Chronic illness Early Head Start or previous Head Start /OPK experience Older sibling in program Returning Student Child on waitlist previous year without enrolling10 What will Families need to apply?

8 Different programs may need the following at different times in the application process, but all forms will be required. 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) Immunization records Document of Disability (if applicable) (for some programs: WIC Card indicating the WIC ID number and WIC Provider, if applicable)11 Head Start FAQMt.

9 Hood Community CollegePortland Public SchoolsNAYA-OCDCNAYA-PPSBest time to Apply?Feb -May(accept year round)Feb-May(accept year round)Feb-May(accept year round)How can I get updated application?Call 503-491-6111 to have one mailed, or website: do I apply?In person at main site (10100 NE Prescott) or call 503-491-6111 for help with applying. See also: , mail, or fax to neighborhood site or main site (4800 NE 74thAve 503-916-5724)Call LLuvia Merello for OCDC-Gresham site information: (503) 663-0896 or (503) 288-8177 Call Carrie Green for PPS site information (503) 916-5393 or (503) 288-8177 they have a website? languages are applications in?

10 English\Spanish\RussianEnglish, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian; on websiteEnglish, will families most likely be notified if they were selected?JulyLate June or early SeptemberLate June or early SeptemberWhen does Head Start begin?Mid-SeptemberAbout 3rdweek in SeptemberAbout 3rdweek in September12 Head Start FAQN eighborhood HouseAlbina Head StartBest time to Apply?Feb-April(accept year round)Year roundHow can I get updated application?Call Lena Avakyan 503-246-1663 x 7307(503) 282-1975 or (503) do I apply?503-246-1663 #7307In-person to main site or mail to main site (3417 NE 7thAve 503-282-1975)Do they have a website? languages are applications in?