SUBJECT: Enrollment and re-enrollment – Head Start Only

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE: Children enrolled in ATCAA Head Start remain eligible for Head Start services until they are eligible for kindergarten.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE:

1. A child may be age-eligible for kindergarten but remain in Head Start based on the Individual Education Plan.

1. A Local Education Agency may meet with the Head Start Education Service Manager and the parents to determine if a child should remain in Head Start for an additional year. Information will be included in the child’s Individual Education Plan.

2. The Family Service Manager maintains records of each program option’s enrollment level. When a vacancy occurs, the Family Service Manager will fill the open slot within 30 calendar days.

1. A child who has 5 consecutive days of unexcused absences and whose family cannot be contacted by phone or home visit will be considered dropped from the program.

1. Any child dropped or suspended is welcome to reapply to ATCAA Head Start.
2. A parent or guardian may appeal any action taken, following the complaint procedures in the Parent Handbook.

2. The Family Service Manager will not fill a vacancy when 60 calendar days or less remain in the program year, unless current enrollment is below the funded count.

3. A child who is income eligible and is participating in a center or home base program remains income eligible through the current year and the immediately succeeding year.
4. Application Process:

1. Families or agencies interested in the ATCAA Head Start/State Preschool program may contact the Head Start office in Tuolumne County. Families or agencies interested in ATCAA Head Start/General Childcare at the Jackson or Ione Centers in Amador County may call the centers to request an application. If the request is made by phone an application will be mailed to the interested party.
2. Once the application is received in the Head Start office is will be stamped with the date.
3. The application will be placed in the application box located in each office or sent to the Service Area Assistant for processing.
4. The office staff will send a letter to the family acknowledging their application was received.
5. If an incomplete application is received, Head Start staff will make every effort to contact the family (i.e.) phone call, letter or personal contact to assist the family to complete the application.
6. The Family Services Manager or designee will screen the application to determine eligibility for the program.
7. When the application is determined to meet the eligibility requirements, the application will be entered into the tracking system to determine the priority status and be placed on the wait list.
8. Family Advocate or Home Visitor will notify the office when they have an opening.
9. The Family Services Manager or designee will keep all completed applications in the office until an opening occurs. When an opening occurs, the Family services Manager or designee will distribute the completed application to the center or home base program with the opening.
10. The Family Advocate or Home Visitor will set up the enrollment appointment with the parent/guardian and complete the enrollment process.
11. The Family Advocate or Home visitor will discuss with the family options available to them.
12. The Family Advocate will give the teacher a written notice of all children entering the program.

For further information, see the Service Area Plan.

 PPC Approved on 2/15/2008

edited 02/27/2008 10:50:40 AM