Title
Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report - April 2022
Description
This report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee, which serves as the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Governing Board, with an updated summary of the Head Start Birth to Five Program's financial and programmatic status.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 requires each Head Start Grantee to share monthly information with the Governing Board and Policy Council on program planning, policies and operations. In compliance with the Act, the Head Start program provides a monthly report on the following areas:
- Fiscal expenditures;
- Enrollment reports;
- School attendance;
- Medical/dental exams; and
- Program information summaries.
Fiscal Expenditures
Attachment A shows year-to-date expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2021-22. The report includes a breakdown of each Education Service Provider, the Policy Council, Child Care Partnerships and administrative support budgets. Current year expenditures are in line with the approved budget.
Enrollment Reports
The Office of Head Start requires programs to report the total number of children enrolled on the last day of each month. At the end of April, enrollment was 2,529 out of 3,451 available slots. The increase in enrollment is due to lower numbers of positive COVID-19 cases and families beginning to feel more comfortable bringing their children to the centers.
All Education Service Providers continue to provide in-person instruction. At the end of April, preschool enrollment was 2,184 slots filled out of 2,963. There were no classroom closures during the month.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partners provide full-day, year-round in-person childcare. At the end of April, 140 slots out of 188 were filled.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program provides year-round home visitation. At the end of April, 205 slots out of 300 were filled. Families attended in-person socialization events for the first time since March 2020.
The Head Start Birth to Five Program continues to recruit for all program options. April recruitment efforts included four digital billboard advertisements along major highways throughout the city including the Interstate 10, the Interstate 17, and the Loop 101. The Head Start Birth to Five Program advertisements will be displayed through the middle of October 2022.
School Attendance
The annual target for attendance set by the Office of Head Start is 85 percent. Attachment B indicates that year-to-date attendance is 51 percent for the preschool program through the end of April. The Child Care Partners average remained at 47 percent at the end of April. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the percentages.
Medical/Dental Exams
Head Start regulations require all children to have medical and dental exams annually. Through the end of April, 2,501 medical and 2,397 dental exams were completed, totaling 4,898 exams, as illustrated in Attachment C. The increase in number is due to families feeling more comfortable taking their children to the doctor for wellness checks.
Program Information Summaries
Please see Attachment D.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.