Title
Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report - March 2023
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 are slightly below the expected percentage due to staffing vacancies.
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 March, overall enrollment was 2,467 out of 3,451 available slots.
At the end of March, the Education Service Providers' enrollment was 2,180 preschool slots filled out of 2,963 available slots. Instructional staff shortages and pending classroom licensures continue to impact enrollment. Deer Valley Unified School District continues to maintain full enrollment of 100 slots.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program provides year-round, in-person home visitation. At the end of March, the program filled 134 slots out of 300. Some vacancies are due to children turning three and no longer eligible for the program. Many children transition to a Head Start or school district preschool program. Other vacancies are due to home visitor staffing shortages, with 14 out of 28 positions still vacant.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partners program provides full-day, year-round in-person childcare. At the end of March, the program filled 153 slots out of 188. 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. Immanuel Care for Children continues to meet full enrollment with 32 slots filled.
Staff recruitment to increase enrollment continues through 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, offering hiring, retention and referral incentives.
Full Enrollment Initiative
On March 24, 2023, the Head Start Birth to Five Program received a letter from the Office of Head Start acknowledging under enrollment in all program options. Based on the Head Start Act criteria, the Birth to Five Program will develop and implement a plan to eliminate under enrollment by May 31, 2024. The Full Enrollment Initiative is an 18-month process to help under enrolled grantees reach full enrollment. Support is provided by the Office of Head Start's Region 9 Training and Technical Assistance staff. Monthly updates will be provided to the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council and Governing Board, demonstrating progress and compliance with this mandate.
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 March is 58 percent for the preschool program. The Child Care Partnership's year-to-date average is 53 percent at the end of March. The low percentage is partially due to instructional staff shortages and awaiting preschool classroom licensure. The attendance is based on funded enrollment and thus impacts the overall attendance percentages.
Medical/Dental Exams
Head Start regulations require all children to have medical and dental exams annually. At the end of March, 2,535 medical and 2,440 dental exams were completed, totaling 4,975 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.