Title
Request Approval of the Head Start Birth to Five 2025-26 ERSEA Plan Updates - Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
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.
Every year, the Head Start Birth to Five staff and the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council review and update the ERSEA Plan to address program and community needs, as well as comply with Head Start regulations. The updates for the 2025-26 ERSEA Plan align with the modifications and new rules outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Key changes include:
- Redefining income.
- The addition of a housing adjustment calculation.
- An updated strategic plan goal for attendance.
- Incorporating points into the Selection Criteria for parents who work in Head Start.
Items in the ERSEA Plan are no long relevant and will be deleted:
- The current definition of income.
- Documents used to verify a family's financial status.
- Enrollment date for children in the Early Head Start Home-Based program.
- The requirement for parents to be working or attending school to be enrolled in the Early Head Start Center-Based program.
- Removing the old strategic plan goal.
- The elimination of points for families with childcare subsidies.
All updates are highlighted in yellow, while items being removed are highlighted in red; please refer to 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 was approved by the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council on October 21, 2024.
Locations
Alhambra Elementary School District, 4510 N. 37th Avenue
Cartwright Elementary School District, 5220 W. Indian School Road
Deer Valley Unified School District, 20402 N. 15th Avenue
Fowler Elementary School District, 1617 S. 67th Avenue
Isaac School District, 3348 W. McDowell Road
Laveen Elementary School District, 5601 W. Dobbins Road
Murphy Elementary School District, 3140 W. Buckeye Road
Pendergast Elementary School District, 3802 N. 91st Avenue
Phoenix Elementary School District, 1817 N. 7th Street
Riverside Elementary School District, 1414 S. 51st Avenue
Roosevelt Elementary School District, 6000 S. 7th Street
Washington Elementary School District, 4650 W. Sweetwater Avenue
Wilson Elementary School District, 3025 E. Fillmore Street
Council Districts: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.