Title
Request Approval of the Head Start Birth to Five ERSEA Plan Updates
Description
Request the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee, which serves as the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Governing Board, to approve revisions to the Head Start Birth to Five Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) Plan.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
The Head Start Birth to Five program is required to develop and implement a written plan defining the program's practices and procedures for children's eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance. As the Governing Board for the Head Start Birth to Five program, the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee is requested to approve the revised ERSEA Plan Attachment A.
The Office of Head Start requires ERSEA Plans to include specifics for determining eligibility, how eligible children are recruited, establishing a viable wait list, selecting children most in need, how children will be enrolled and tracking children's attendance. These requirements are designed to ensure the selection of enrollees is made fairly and systematically. The use of the selection criteria ensures children who are most in need are selected first. The ERSEA Plan includes the Head Start Birth to Five program's process for alignment with other federal programs such as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
On April 21, 2022, the Office of Head Start expanded its interpretation of "public assistance" to also include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Including SNAP as a categorical eligibility was implemented due to the sharp decrease in families who qualify for Head Start through the current definition of public assistance and to align with other public programs. This alignment will reduce the challenges families have with navigating the eligibility processes for federal programs. Changes to the City's Head Start Birth to Five ERSEA Plan are highlighted in Attachment A.
Contract Term
The remaining two years of the five-year contract term are July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024. This request does not change the term of the contract.
Financial Impact
The grant funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children, Youth and Families. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council approved this item on May 9, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.