...Title
Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report - September 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 2022-23. The reports include a breakdown of each Education Service Provider, Child Care Partnership, the Policy Council, and the administrative support budget. The current year's expenditures align 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 September, overall enrollment was 2,189 out of 3,451 available slots.
At the end of September, the Education Service Providers' enrollment was 1,886 slots filled out of 2,963. Instructional staff shortages and pending classroom licensure continue to impact enrollment. The Greater Phoenix Urban League has 12 teacher and 12 assistant vacancies; Booker T. Washington has one teacher and one assistant vacancy. The Greater Phoenix Urban League is waiting for three classrooms to be licensed in the Cartwright Elementary School District. Booker T. Washington is waiting for 15 classrooms to be licensed in the Roosevelt Elementary School District and one in the Phoenix Elementary School District.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program provides year-round in-person home visitation. At the end of September, 150 slots out of 300 were filled. Some vacancies are due to children turning three and no longer eligible for the program. Many children transition to a Head Start preschool or a school district preschool program. Other vacancies are due to home visitor staffing shortages; 15 out of 28 positions are vacant.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partners Program provide full-day, year-round in-person childcare. At the end of September, 153 slots out of 188 were filled. Some vacancies are due to children turning three and no longer eligible for the program. Many children transition to a Head Start preschool, a school district preschool program, or move to a three-year-old classroom in the childcare center. Other vacancies are due to instructional staff shortages. Cactus Kids Preschool continues to have six teacher vacancies, and Immanuel Care for Children has one.
Recruitment to increase enrollment continues through social media messaging, billboards, community events, bus shelter posters, and digital messaging in two Ranch Market locations. Education Service Providers and Child Care Partners continue to recruit instructional staff through social media, job search websites, and collaboration with colleges. The Early Head Start Home-Based program is working with the City's Human Resources Department to recruit highly qualified home visitors.
School Attendance
The annual target for attendance set by the Office of Head Start is 85 percent. Attachment B indicates year-to-date average attendance through the end of September is 48 percent for the preschool program. The Child Care Partnership's year-to-date average is 52 percent at the end of September. The low percentage is due to instructional staff shortages and waiting for preschool classrooms to be licensed.
Medical/Dental Exams
Head Start regulations require all children have medical and dental exams annually. At the end of September, 1,548 medical and 1,488 dental exams were completed, totaling 3,036 exams, as illustrated in Attachment C.
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.