Title
Request Approval of the Head Start Birth to Five 2023-24 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 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.
Prior to the beginning of each school year, Head Start Birth to Five staff and the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council review and update the ERSEA Plan based on the program's needs. Staff has highlighted all updates recommended on the ERSEA Plan for the school year 2023-24 in yellow in Attachment A. Changes to the plan include additional acceptable documentation for address verification, a broader definition of over-income, and other small language changes for clarification.
Contract Term
The remaining year of the five-year contract term is from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. This request does not change the term of the contract.
Financial Impact
The grant is funded by 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 Feb. 13, 2023.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.