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Head Start Road Map

Its a challenge for anyone outside the professional child care community to understand how to interact with the Head Start network in order to provide environmental health expertise and assistance. Although this Road Map is specific to Vermont, it is easily applied to other states. Once the structure of Head Start becomes clear, entry points can be identified. Head Start Head Start and Early Head Start are national child development programs which provide comprehensive development services for low-income children and social services for their families. Head Start serves children ages 3-5 and their families. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children birth to age 3 and their families. Office of Head Start - Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. The Office of Head Start (OHS) advises the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on issues regarding the Head Start program (including Early Head Start). The Office develops legislative and budgetary proposals; identifies areas for research, demonstration, and developmental activities; presents operational planning objectives and initiatives relating to Head Start to the Assistant Secretary for Administration for Children and Families; and oversees the progress of approved activities. OHS provides leadership and coordination for the activities of the Head Start program in the ACF Central Office including the Head Start Regional Program Units. The Office represents Head Start in inter-agency activities with other Federal and non-Federal organizations. Early Head Start promotes healthy prenatal outcomes, enhances the development of infants and toddlers, and promotes healthy family functioning. The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. In FY 1995, the Early Head Start program was established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development. Their website is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/about/index.html.

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Safer Indoor Environments Through Purchasing Decisions

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National Head Start Association is an agency whose mission is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education. They hold a yearly conference that presents an opportunity to introduce the subject of indoor air quality/IPM/green cleaning. Their website is available at: http://www.nhsa.org/. National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and provide vision, leadership and support to community Child Care Resources and Referral. Their website is available at: http://www.naccrra.org/. State Head Start Associations Each state has an association that coordinates the regional programs. For example the Vermont Head Start Association states on their website: The Vermont Head Start Association was formed in order to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Promote an advocacy agenda on behalf of low income children and families; and Provide a system of support for directors and parents. Strengthen and coordinate Vermont Head Start programs, systems and services. Strengthen collaboration between Vermont Head Start programs and other statewide and local systems of early care, education and family services.

In order to carry out these purposes, the Association will advocate on matters of public policy, provide or sponsor training to support the growth and development of parent leaders, directors and staff, and provide a platform for sharing information between programs. Please contact us for addition information. Website available at: http://www.vermontheadstart.org/. Head Start Grantee Regional Programs Within each state are regional programs that are run by for-profit or non-profit agencies. The Head Start Associations coordinate meetings, trainings and other services for the regional entities. The regional agencies are autonomous to an extent and for the purposes of pilot projects. Each regional program has a director and a health manager and each location has a center director. The center director also coordinates the home-based program visiting staff. Regulations State - Head Start centers must comply with state early childhood program licensing regulations and regulations for family day care homes. These regulations stipulate procedures

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Safer Indoor Environments Through Purchasing Decisions

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and types of products used in the facilities. For example, broad spectrum disinfectants are required for surfaces in the Vermont regulations and least-toxic pesticides are required. Vermont Head Start centers also refer to Managing Infectious Disease in Child Care and Schools, A Quick Reference Guide, Edited by Susan S. Aronson, MD, FAAP and Timothy R. Shope, MD, MPH, FAAP for guidelines on disinfecting and sanitizing. Federal The Federal program has regulations covering all aspects of child care including building maintenance. Specifically, relating to environmental health, the regulations state agencies must provide a center-based environment free of toxins, such as cigarette smoke, lead, pesticides, herbicides, and other air pollutants as well as soil and water contaminants. Agencies must ensure that no child is present during the spraying of pesticides or herbicides. Children must not return to the affected area until it is safe to do so. Structure of the Head Start Program 1. State Head Start Coordinator can introduce you to the regional directors and health service managers. They can help you schedule opportunities for workshops/presentations for these groups and refer you to the staff members in the state Departments of Children and Families who oversee training and regulations. 2. Head Start Grantees Directors/Coordinators - have a broad leadership role that includes planning, implementing and tracking the progress of the Head Start program. Coordinators train, supervise and delegate tasks and projects to Head Start staff. Other responsibilities include developing lesson plans and approving learning materials used in the classroom. The Head Start coordinator develops and tracks the program budget, promotes Head Start by participating in speaking opportunities and recruits new students to the program. 3. Health Service Managers/Coordinators work under the Director. They are responsible for coordinating, managing and supervising the health services programs and activities for their Head Start location. They may also work with other Head Start facilities in nearby areas. Health services include health, dental and nutritional programs. The Health Services Manager oversees the licensed dietitian or nutritionist at the facility. They must write a health, safety and nutrition services plan for their location. 4. Center Directors are responsible for the administration of the Head Start program at their center, including program design and management, oversight of record-keeping and monitoring systems and development of community partnerships. They work in collaboration with program consultants/managers and community child care providers to deliver services.

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5. Teachers/Teacher Assistants - create and employ curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and meets the needs of children from diverse backgrounds. They are responsible for participating with a team on a daily basis in planning and adding the necessary parental contribution. They create and maintain relationships with every child and family and assess their needs. They evaluate the progress on an on-going basis and implement the necessary modifications. A Head Start teacher makes sure the required documentation is completed and complies with the standards set by the National Head Start program. Head Start teachers also often conduct parent/teacher conferences and sometimes in-home visits to meet performance standards. 6. Early Head Start (EHS) Home Visitors are the primary case manager for EHS families enrolled in the home-base option and are responsible for providing in-home instruction as well as a group socialization experience to parents and children (infants/toddlers) which will enhance the parents' ability to fill the role of primary nurturer of their child. They maintain ongoing contact with families and work with all other components (health, nutrition, family services, mental health, special services, parent education and resource/referral) to integrate services into the family setting. 7. Food Service Providers/Custodians provide support for the direct service teams at Head Start classrooms in the areas of food preparation and service, clean-up, and site sanitation. Statewide/Regional Training Organizations Bright Futures Child Care Information System is the place for parents and child care providers to get answers to questions about child care, early education, school age care, and the services available to help ensure that high quality child care is available to every child in Vermont who needs it, according to their website. This site also refers you to the organization that coordinates training and coursework for child care personnel in the state. Website available at: http://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us/vtcc/reset.do?0Mmr3gjumkz13SgYEjWekr3%3dxguw3YEa.aU7zaju.xnn.xGOSG-O6S0%2bS0%256U0q%256UG6.q6GgwEkeUs3peYY.wjRszYgwUVm31mLUjsegsUWVjUVm3mW gwkmpwUVm31mLUjsegkz13S66SqhOD06q6G_O. Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center for Early Childhood and Afterschool Professionals - provides information on professional development and career planning. A database of professional trainers and an online application to become a trainer is available on their website. A committee reviews your application and determines if you have the credentials to be included in their list. You must be able to prove that you have a certain number of hours as a trainer. Website available at: http://northernlightscdc.org/.

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Opportunities to Collaborate Within the State Regional Directors/Coordinators and Health Services Managers hold monthly, quarterly and annual Head Start association meetings. These are excellent opportunities to present the program to decision makers. The State Coordinator can assist in getting a place on the agenda and introducing you and your program. The Health Services Managers are an important entry point because they are responsible for the health of the children at the centers and are interested in environmental health issues. Conferences 1. The National Child Care Policy Symposium and the Leadership and Professional Development Institute Available at: http://www.naccrra.org/conferences/2012-national-child-care-policysymposium 2. National Head Start Association Annual Training Conference Available at: http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=37. 3. Head Start's National Research Conference Available at: http://www.cvent.com/events/head-start-s-11th-national-researchconference/event-summary-6c5b5454fe2446fe8c4c9ed70c52fc4e.aspx. Additional Resources The Head Start Orientation Guide for Health Coordinators - available at: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ttasystem/health/Health/Health%20Manager%20Resources/Health%20Manager%20Resources %20Program%20Staff/TheHeadStartOr.htm. Office of Head Start Organizational Chart - available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/charts/ohs.htm. Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd Edition. Edited by Susan S. Aronson, MD, FAAP, and Timothy R. Shope, MD, MPH, FAAP. Available at: http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/midsheets.dtl.

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Safer Indoor Environments Through Purchasing Decisions

The Plain Facts

Engage With the Head Start Network in Your State

Department of Human Services (Children and Families etc.)

Bright Futures Child Care Information System

State Head Start Coordinator

Head Start Grantees

Professional Development Organization (VT Northern Lights Career Development Center)

Professional Development Organization (VT Northern Lights Career Development

Center Directors, Health Services Managers

Register as a Trainer

Directors Teachers Home Visitors

Register as a Trainer

Classroom Teachers/ Home Visitors, Parents

Funding for the development of this document was provided by the Northeastern IPM Center.

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