Insights from Experts
Talking Points
Talking Points offers insights from experts on the topics we know are important to organizations working to strengthen communities, including organizational development, childcare, and housing stabilization. Our writers share their knowledge, research, and practical strategies for building the structures and systems you need to promote excellence in service delivery.
Talking Points is published a minimum of monthly. Subscribing also gives you access to our Monthly Round Up, where we highlight blog posts, upcoming events, and newsworthy research and reflections.
FY2025 Monitoring Kicks Off with Updates Aligned to Performance Standards
The FY2025 Head Start monitoring season is getting started, and the Office of Head Start (OHS) hosted a kickoff webinar last week. This year, there are changes to the monitoring process and the protocols. Many of these changes are to bring the protocols into alignment with the updated Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards). Here, we highlight some of the key takeaways from the FY25 Monitoring Kickoff Webinar and our initial review of OHS monitoring protocols.
OHS Highlights from the NHSA Fall Leadership Institute
The NHSA Fall Leadership Institute took place last week, and there was no shortage of federal updates. At the Office of Head Start (OHS) Town Hall, we learned about implementation of the new Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards) and heard about the types of resources and supports that will be available to programs. Attendees were encouraged to share what they learned in the session with others. Here are a few of the top highlights.
Changes to Community Assessment in the 2024 HSPPS Final Rule
When the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a new rule making changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), the Office of Head Start (OHS) described these changes as serving three primary purposes: increasing compensation for Head Start staff, integrating mental health services, and effectively meeting the evolving needs of communities. Community assessment is foundational to program planning and meeting community needs. Here, we explore what’s the same and what’s different about community assessment in the new Performance Standards.
6 Tips for an Outstanding Head Start Annual Report
Out of all the requirements for Head Start programs, one that is the relatively standard and low stakes is the annual report. Required each year, the annual report provides an opportunity to share highlights, successes, and important information with the community, alongside required financial reporting. Below are six tips to help programs create a compliant and high-quality Head Start annual report that communicates clearly and effectively to the public.
Community Assessments Reveal Widespread Affordable Housing Challenges, an Interview with Nicole Lessard
Nicole Lessard shares her insights on the value of community needs assessments and how data can be used for program planning and to meet families’ needs. Ms. Lessard is a consultant with Foundations for Families, specializing in community needs assessments, data research, and grant writing. She is experienced working with Head Start/Early Head Start programs across the country.
Changes Coming to Head Start Grant Application Instructions
In March, the Office of Head Start (OHS) hosted a webinar to preview the release the Head Start Grant Application Instructions with Guidance, Version 3.01. (If you missed the webinar, there is another chance to learn more. Register here for the April 4th webinar.) Since all Head Start/Early Head Start grantees must submit either a continuation or baseline application annually, the upcoming changes are important to understand.
Wage Comparability Studies: Where to focus in 2024
Jane Hanson shares her insights on how the November 2023 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from OHS could impact your wage study, where to find reliable wage data, and why making hourly wage comparisons is an important part of your analysis. Ms. Hanson is a Consultant with Foundations for Families specializing in wage comparability studies. Read an earlier interview about wage studies here.We had the pleasure of presenting our current thinking about wage comparability studies to a number of Head Start grantees at the Region IV Head Start Association Annual Training Conference & Expo. While we were in Atlanta, we heard from agencies that are still struggling to recruit and retain staff. Many programs are stuck in a challenging cycle - they don’t have enough teachers to open all their classrooms, and their current wages are making it difficult to recruit and retain qualified staff. If this cycle goes on long enough, the program can become underenrolled and even end up in the Full Enrollment Initiative.
HS Expansion, EHS Expansion, and EHS-CCP NOFOs Posted and Applications Due May 14
On March 14, 2024, three Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) grants were posted on grants.gov. Grant applications are due May 14, 2024.Details on the grants open for competition, funding amounts, estimated number of awards, and anticipated project start dates are listed below. These details have not changed since the grants were forecasted earlier this month.
HS Expansion, EHS Expansion, and EHS-CCP Grants Forecasted
On March 5, 2024, three Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for expansion and partnership grant opportunities were forecasted on grants.gov. This includes Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Grants; American Indian and Alaska Native EHS Expansion and EHS-CCP Grants; and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion, EHS Expansion, and EHS-CCP Grants.
How to Conduct a Meaningful and Responsive Community Assessment
Community assessments are a foundational requirement for Head Start/Early Head Start programs and have taken on new significance and utility as programs navigate unprecedented staffing shortages, participation in the Full Enrollment Initiative, and evolving community needs. Some programs are also planning for a Change in Scope Request, which requires a justification built on up-to-date and relevant community and program data.
Support for Programs in the Full Enrollment Initiative
If you attended last month’s NHSA Winter Leadership Institute, you might have heard the Office of Head Start (OHS) presentation in which it was shared that, nationally, Head Start enrollment is at 82%. OHS expressed a continued commitment to the Full Enrollment Initiative and the importance of compliance with enrollment requirements. Many programs are in the Full Enrollment Initiative currently, or will be designated soon, and there are strategies and supports to help programs manage the process.
Focus and Flexibility to Support Program Planning in 2024
Throughout 2023, we heard from programs that are juggling multiple moving pieces in program planning and operations. Programs are navigating action planning for the Full Enrollment Initiative, competing in DRS, or considering a change in scope request. Other programs are getting ready for federal monitoring review or preparing a baseline or continuation application; and for some, these timelines are changing.
OHS Releases New RAN Protocol and Sample Reporting Form
This month, the Office of Head Start (OHS) released a Risk Assessment Notification (RAN) protocol and sample reporting form to assist programs that experience a child health and safety incident. This new information follows the kick off of FY2024 Head Start monitoring and is in direct response to a concerning increase in the number of child health and safety issues among Head Start/Early Head Start programs in recent years.
FY2024 Monitoring Kicks Off with New Tools and Information
The FY2024 Head Start monitoring season is in full swing as the Office of Head Start (OHS) hosted its Monitoring Kickoff Webinar, new protocols have been posted, and programs have been notified if they’re receiving a FY2024 review. This year, there are meaningful changes to the content and format of reviews. Here, we highlight some of the key takeaways from the kickoff webinar and our initial review of OHS monitoring protocols and materials.
What You Need to Know About FY2024 Federal Monitoring Reviews
The start of the new program year is here, and with it comes a new federal monitoring review season. During the last few years, there have been changes to content and format of reviews, due in large part to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we talk about what’s the same, what might be different, and how your program can prepare for a FY2024 federal monitoring review.
Wage Comparability Studies and the Staffing Crisis, An Interview with Jane Hanson
Jane Hanson shares her insights on the importance of wage comparability studies, requirements for Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and how data can be used to address the staffing crisis. Ms. Hanson is a Consultant with Foundations for Families, specializing in wage comparability studies and data research. She is experienced working with community agencies across the country, helping to provide programs with data to understand and meet staff, family, and community needs.