Title
Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report - February 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, 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 2021-22. The report includes a breakdown of each Education Service Provider, the Policy Council, Child Care Partnerships and administrative support budgets. Current year expenditures are in line 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 February, enrollment was 2,465 out of 3,451 available slots.
All Education Service Providers continue to provide in-person instruction. At the end of February, preschool enrollment was 2,145 slots filled out of 2,963. Due to positive cases of COVID-19, seven classrooms were quarantined for five days; one in Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, two in Greater Phoenix Urban League, and four in Washington Elementary School District. Greater Phoenix Urban League opened three new classrooms bringing the number of closed classrooms down to 20; low enrollment and staffing shortages continue to be a challenge. The Education Service Providers are actively recruiting to fill staff vacancies, while Head Start Birth to Five staff actively recruit eligible families for the program.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partners provide year-round in-person childcare. At the end of February, 131 slots out of 188 were filled. Families continue to use alternate childcare options due to concerns of exposure to the virus.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program provides year-round home visitation. At the end of February, 189 slots out of 300 were filled. Biweekly socialization sessions were held virtually due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases. Many of the vacancies are due to children turning three and becoming ineligible for the program. Income-eligible children can enroll in Head Start preschool, private preschools are an option, or those with special education needs can enroll in the local school district's developmental preschool.
The Head Start Birth to Five program is experiencing the same enrollment and staffing shortage challenges as other grantees in the Nation. Head Start staff continue to recruit through community events, flyers, and parent referrals.
School Attendance
The annual target for attendance set by the Office of Head Start is 85 percent. Attachment B indicates that year-to-date attendance is 50 percent for the preschool program through the end of February. The Child Care Partners average remained at 44 percent at the end of February. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the percentages.
Medical/Dental Exams
Head Start regulations require all children to have medical and dental exams annually. Through the end of February, 2,040 medical and 2,001 dental exams were completed totaling 4,041 exams, as illustrated in Attachment C. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the numbers. Many families delay doctor or dentist visits due to concerns about exposure to the virus.
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.