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SUBJECT: Enrollment and re-enrollment – Head Start Only PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE: In accordance with 1305.7 of the Performance Standards, ATCAA Early Head Start/Head Start must: A. Ensure each child enrolled in a Head Start program must be allowed to remain in Head Start until kindergarten is available for the child in the child’s community. B. Maintain its funded enrollment level and fill vacancies in a timely manner. C. Once finding a child income eligible and the child is participating in a Head Start program the child remains income eligible through that enrollment year and the immediately succeeding enrollment year. When a child moves from the Early Head Start program to a Head Start program family income must be re-verified. If the parents wish to enroll their child who has been in the Early Head Start program into a Head Start program, the agency must ensure, whenever possible, that the child receives Head Start services until enrolled in school. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE: A. 1. In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards for age requirements, families enrolling in Head Start must present a birth certificate or other official document to verify each child’s age. The Family Advocates or Home Visitors will screen all eligibility applications to verify that each child is age eligible for the program in which they wish to enroll. Head Start enrolling children must be at least three years old by December 2nd. December 2nd is the age-eligibility date for public schools in Amador and Tuolumne counties. 2. When children reach the age requirements for kindergarten; Teachers, Home Visitors, and Family Advocates will initiate a transition to public schools by informing parents of public school options, enrollment dates and assist with enrollment packets as needed. 3. Teachers and Family Advocates may share information with the Local School District if the parent signs a “Consent to Exchange” form that allows staff to do so. 4. An additional year in Head Start may be appropriate placement for a kindergarten eligible child with a disability if this decision is supported by the parent and the Individual Education Plan team. The program design has to meet the individual needs of the child outlined in the Individual Education Plan. B. 1. In order to maintain full enrollment Family Advocates will notify Eligibility Staff of openings immediately when they occur. 2. Eligibility Staff will track the vacancy to ensure it is filled within 30 days. 3. Eligibility Staff will verify the next child on the wait list, selecting the child with the highest priority points. Priority points are assigned in accordance with the PPC approved Selection Criteria. If there is no one on the waiting list then staff will follow the Recruitment Procedure (see the ATCAA Early Childhood Services Procedure for Recruitment of Children). 4. The child’s application will be given to Family Advocates or Home Visitors to complete the Eligibility Application Processing Procedure to enroll the child. 5. Head Start has up to 30 calendar days to fill a vacancy. If a vacancy falls 60 calendar days or less within the program closing, a program may elect not to fill the vacancy. Whether or not a vacancy is filled within the 60 calendar days of the program closing is a decision that is made by the Eligibility staff, based on the type of program and the best interest of the child wishing to enroll. (i.e.: combination Head Start/State-funded program and/or year-round option.) C. 1. For children participating in a Head Start program for a third year, income will be collected by the Family Advocate or Home Visitor and submitted to the Eligibility Staff for determination of continued Eligibility. 2. To ensure the most appropriate placement and services following participation in Early Head Start, transition planning must be undertaken for each child and family at least six months prior to the child's third birthday. If a Early Head Start child’s transition plan indicates a parents wish to transition from an Early Head Start Program serving infants and toddlers to a Head Start Program serving children ages three and older; a Transition/Transfer Request Form must be filled out by the Family Advocate or Home Visitor and must be submitted along with current income to the Eligibility Staff. Income will need to be re-verified and the Eligibility Application Process will be followed. 3. If a parent has requested a transfer from one Early Head Start program to another Early Head Start program or from a Head Start program to another Head Start program, a Transition/Transfer Form Request must be filled out by the Family Advocate or Home Visitor and submitted to the Eligibility Staff. For these types of transfers, new income does not need to be collected, as the child is already participating. 4. Returning, transferring and transitioning children receive additional priority points to ensure that families who wish to continue with Head Start services may continue to receive them. See Selection Criteria for a detailed description of the priority list. 5. Eligibility Staff reviews the Transition/Transfer Request form and determines if the child is eligible, if space is available, and placement is appropriate in the requested center or home base program. Eligibility Staff then approves or denies the request stating the reason in the comments section on the form. 6. Eligibility Staff returns the completed Transition/Transfer Request Form to the Family Advocate or Home Visitor and they notify the parent of the decision. 7. If the transfer is approved then the child will transition into the next placement. If the transfer is denied the Family Advocate, Teacher or Home Visitor will discuss other available options for preschool in the community. For further information, see the Service Area Plan. PPC Approved on 2/15/2008 edited 07/09/2010 03:53:37 PM |