Title
Request Approval of the Head Start Birth to Five 2024-25 ERSEA Plan Updates
Description
Request the Economic Development and Housing 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 Economic Development and Housing 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 that the selection of enrollees is made fairly and systematically. The selection criteria ensures that children 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.
Annually, Head Start Birth to Five staff and the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council review and update the ERSEA Plan based on program and community needs and Head Start regulations. The two updates for the 2024-2025 ERSEA plan are Head Start regulations that are now part of the federal monitoring process. The first update is to provide ineligible families with community resources for childcare and preschool. The second is to conduct a new intake for any child who withdraws from the program and wants to re-enroll. All updates are highlighted in yellow; see Attachment A.
Contract Term
This is the first year of a five-year contract. The contract term is from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. 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 item is scheduled to be reviewed by the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council on Feb. 12, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.