Title
Approval of Head Start Birth to Five Health and Safety Report - Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8
Description
This report requests the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee, which serves as the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Governing Board, to approve the Head Start Birth to Five Health and Safety Report.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
The Office of Head Start mandates that grantees implement early childhood programs that strictly adhere to established health and safety standards. These standards are crucial for fostering a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment where children can thrive and engage in meaningful learning experiences.
To uphold these essential learning environments, grantees are required to conduct a comprehensive health and safety screener in every classroom within the first 45 days of the new grant period. The Head Start Birth to Five Program began its new five-year grant period on July 1, 2024, with the program year starting on August 3, 2024. This requirement prioritizes the well-being of children by identifying and addressing potential risks or shortcomings early in the program year.
An important aspect of this process is the involvement of the Governing Board, which must verify that the screening has been conducted. Furthermore, any deficiencies or areas of non-compliance identified during the screening process must be addressed and resolved promptly to ensure all enrolled children's continued safety and health.
The Health and Safety Screener focuses on five components:
- Facilities.
- Equipment and materials.
- Policies and procedures.
- Active supervision of children.
- Human resources.
The Head Start Birth to Five Program's Quality Assurance Monitoring team successfully conducted a comprehensive screening of 135 classrooms over the course of 30 days, starting in August and concluding in September.
The evaluation of the five screening components reveals that the Head Start Birth to Five Program has achieved a rating of 92 percent. This high score indicates strong performance in critical areas. For a thorough understanding of the program's strengths and areas for enhancement, refer to the comprehensive Health and Safety Report (Attachment A).
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The item is scheduled to be considered for approval by the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council on November 18, 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.