head start road map

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Head Start Road Map

Its a challenge for anyone outside the professional child care community to understand how

to interact with the Head Start network in order to provide environmental health expertise andassistance. Although this Road Map is specific to Vermont, it is easily applied to other states.Once the structure of Head Start becomes clear, entry points can be identified.

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start are national child development programs which providecomprehensive development services for low-income children and social services for theirfamilies. Head Start serves children ages 3-5 and their families. Early Head Start servespregnant women and children birth to age 3 and their families.

Office of Head Start - Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness byenhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision ofeducational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.

The Office of Head Start (OHS) advises the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families onissues regarding the Head Start program (including Early Head Start). The Office developslegislative and budgetary proposals; identifies areas for research, demonstration, anddevelopmental activities; presents operational planning objectives and initiatives relating toHead Start to the Assistant Secretary for Administration for Children and Families; andoversees the progress of approved activities. OHS provides leadership and coordination forthe activities of the Head Start program in the ACF Central Office including the Head StartRegional Program Units. The Office represents Head Start in inter-agency activities with otherFederal and non-Federal organizations.

Early Head Start promotes healthy prenatal outcomes, enhances the development of infantsand toddlers, and promotes healthy family functioning.

The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profitagencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantagedchildren and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading

and math skills they need to be successful in school. In FY 1995, the Early Head Start programwas established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of themounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth anddevelopment. Their website is available at:http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/about/index.html.
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National Head Start Association is an agency whose mission is to coalesce, inspire andsupport the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education. Theyhold a yearly conference that presents an opportunity to introduce the subject of indoor air

quality/IPM/green cleaning. Their website is available at:http://www.nhsa.org/.

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies promote nationalpolicies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and providevision, leadership and support to community Child Care Resources and Referral. Theirwebsite is available at:http://www.naccrra.org/.

State Head Start Associations Each state has an association that coordinates the regionalprograms.

For example the Vermont Head Start Association states on their website:

The Vermont Head Start Association was formed in order to:

1. Promote an advocacy agenda on behalf of low income children and families; and2. Provide a system of support for directors and parents.3. Strengthen and coordinate Vermont Head Start programs, systems and services.4. Strengthen collaboration between Vermont Head Start programs and other statewide

and local systems of early care, education and family services.

In order to carry out these purposes, the Association will advocate on matters of public policy,

provide or sponsor training to support the growth and development of parent leaders,directors and staff, and provide a platform for sharing information between programs. Pleasecontact us for addition information. Website available at:http://www.vermontheadstart.org/.

Head Start Grantee Regional Programs

Within each state are regional programs that are run by for-profit or non-profit agencies. TheHead Start Associations coordinate meetings, trainings and other services for the regionalentities. The regional agencies are autonomous to an extent and for the purposes of pilot

projects. Each regional program has a director and a health manager and each location has acenter director. The center director also coordinates the home-based program visiting staff.

Regulations

State - Head Start centers must comply with state early childhood program licensingregulations and regulations for family day care homes. These regulations stipulate procedures
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and types of products used in the facilities. For example, broad spectrum disinfectants arerequired for surfaces in the Vermont regulations and least-toxic pesticides are required.

Vermont Head Start centers also refer to Managing Infectious Disease in Child Care andSchools, A Quick Reference Guide, Edited by Susan S. Aronson, MD, FAAP and Timothy R.Shope, MD, MPH, FAAP for guidelines on disinfecting and sanitizing.

Federal The Federal program has regulations covering all aspects of child care includingbuilding maintenance. Specifically, relating to environmental health, the regulations stateagencies must provide a center-based environment free of toxins, such as cigarette smoke,lead, pesticides, herbicides, and other air pollutants as well as soil and water contaminants.Agencies must ensure that no child is present during the spraying of pesticides or herbicides.Children must not return to the affected area until it is safe to do so.

Structure of the Head Start Program

1. State Head Start Coordinator can introduce you to the regional directors and healthservice managers. They can help you schedule opportunities for workshops/presentations forthese groups and refer you to the staff members in the state Departments of Children andFamilies who oversee training and regulations.

2. Head Start Grantees Directors/Coordinators - have a broad leadership role that includesplanning, implementing and tracking the progress of the Head Start program. Coordinatorstrain, supervise and delegate tasks and projects to Head Start staff. Other responsibilitiesinclude developing lesson plans and approving learning materials used in the classroom. TheHead Start coordinator develops and tracks the program budget, promotes Head Start byparticipating in speaking opportunities and recruits new students to the program.

3. Health Service Managers/Coordinators work under the Director. They are responsible forcoordinating, managing and supervising the health services programs and activities for theirHead Start location. They may also work with other Head Start facilities in nearby areas.Health services include health, dental and nutritional programs. The Health Services Manageroversees the licensed dietitian or nutritionist at the facility. They must write a health, safetyand nutrition services plan for their location.

4. Center Directors are responsible for the administration of the Head Start program at theircenter, including program design and management, oversight of record-keeping andmonitoring systems and development of community partnerships. They work in collaborationwith program consultants/managers and community child care providers to deliver services.
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5. Teachers/Teacher Assistants - create and employ curriculum that is developmentallyappropriate and meets the needs of children from diverse backgrounds. They are responsiblefor participating with a team on a daily basis in planning and adding the necessary parental

contribution. They create and maintain relationships with every child and family and assesstheir needs. They evaluate the progress on an on-going basis and implement the necessarymodifications. A Head Start teacher makes sure the required documentation is completed andcomplies with the standards set by the National Head Start program. Head Start teachers alsooften conduct parent/teacher conferences and sometimes in-home visits to meet performancestandards.

6. Early Head Start (EHS) Home Visitors are the primary case manager for EHS familiesenrolled in the home-base option and are responsible for providing in-home instruction aswell as a group socialization experience to parents and children (infants/toddlers) which will

enhance the parents' ability to fill the role of primary nurturer of their child. They maintain on-going contact with families and work with all other components (health, nutrition, familyservices, mental health, special services, parent education and resource/referral) to integrateservices into the family setting.

7. Food Service Providers/Custodians provide support for the direct service teams at HeadStart classrooms in the areas of food preparation and service, clean-up, and site sanitation.

Statewide/Regional Training Organizations

Bright Futures Child Care Information System isthe place for parents and child careproviders to get answers to questions about child care, early education, school age care, andthe services available to help ensure that high quality child care is available to every child inVermont who needs it, according to their website. This site also refers you to the organizationthat coordinates training and coursework for child care personnel in the state. Websiteavailable at:http://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_O.

Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center for Early Childhood and Afterschool

Professionals - provides information on professional development and career planning. Adatabase of professional trainers and an online application to become a trainer is available ontheir website. A committee reviews your application and determines if you have thecredentials to be included in their list. You must be able to prove that you have a certainnumber of hours as a trainer. Website available at: http://northernlightscdc.org/.
http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://northernlightscdc.org/http://northernlightscdc.org/http://northernlightscdc.org/http://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Ohttp://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13-SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6-S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mWgwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_Omailto:[email protected]://www.informedgreensolutions.org/


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Opportunities to Collaborate Within the State

Regional Directors/Coordinators and Health Services Managers hold monthly, quarterly and

annual Head Start association meetings. These are excellent opportunities to present theprogram to decision makers. The State Coordinator can assist in getting a place on the agendaand introducing you and your program.

The Health Services Managers are an important entry point because they are responsible forthe health of the children at the centers and are interested in environmental health issues.

Conferences

1. The National Child Care Policy Symposium and the Leadership and Professional

Development InstituteAvailable at:http://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposium2. National Head Start Association Annual Training ConferenceAvailable at:http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=37.3. Head Start's National Research ConferenceAvailable at:http://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspx.

Additional Resources

The Head Start Orientation Guide for Health Coordinators - available at:http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htm.

Office of Head Start Organizational Chart - available at:http://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/charts/ohs.htm.

Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd Edition.

Edited by Susan S. Aronson, MD, FAAP, and Timothy R. Shope, MD, MPH, FAAP. Availableat:http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/midsheets.dtl.
http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.naccrra.org/conferences/symposium/2012/2012-nps.phphttp://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposiumhttp://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposiumhttp://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposiumhttp://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=52http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=37http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=37http://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/charts/ohs.htmhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/charts/ohs.htmhttp://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/midsheets.dtlhttp://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/midsheets.dtlhttp://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/midsheets.dtlhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/charts/ohs.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources%20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htmhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-research-conference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspxhttp://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=37http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=52http://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposiumhttp://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policy-symposiumhttp://www.naccrra.org/conferences/symposium/2012/2012-nps.phpmailto:[email protected]://www.informedgreensolutions.org/


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Funding for the development of this document was provided by the Northeastern IPM Center.

Engage With the HeadStart Network in Your

State

Departmentof HumanServices

(Childrenand

Familiesetc.)

State HeadStart

Coordinator

ProfessionalDevelopment

Organization (VTNorthern Lights

CareerDevelopment

Center)

Bright FuturesChild CareInformation

System

Head StartGrantees

CenterDirectors,HealthServicesManagers

ClassroomTeachers/

HomeVisitors,Parents

ProfessionalDevelopment

Organization (VTNorthern Lights

CareerDevelo ment

Register as a Trainer

DirectorsTeachersHome Visitors

Register as aTrainer
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