It’s Been 5 ½ Years Since the 2007 Head Start Reauthorization….

Khari M. Garvin, M.Ed. DirectorNC Head Start Collaboration Office

Office of Early Learning / DPIkhari.garvin@dpi.nc.gov

Head Start Act 2007

• Children experiencing homelessness are Categorically Eligible for enrollment*

• Head Start programs must use the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness– Families lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate

nighttime residence

• Children experiencing homelessness must be identified and prioritized for enrollment

2

The state of things….Children Experiencing Homelessness Served by

Head Start and Early Head Start

National Data

Source: Head Start National PIR Data

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

18,164 / 1.05M

(1.7%)

28,306 / 1.11M

(2.5%)

34,129 / 1.141M

(2.9%)

38,958 /1.146M

(3.3%)

40,855 /1.12M

(3.6%)

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The state of things….(cont’d)

National Data

Source: Head Start National PIR Data

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

18,164vs

52,734

28,306 vs

50,291

34,129vs

53,825

38,958 vs

54,480

40,855 vs

55,462

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Compared to “over-income” children

The state of things….(cont’d)

National Data

Source: Head Start National PIR Data

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

18,16452,734

59,275

28,306 50,291

65,164

34,12953,825

69,264

38,958 54,480

70,045

40,855 55,462

72,716

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Compared to children with special needs

The Landscape….

• Approx. 42% of children experiencing homelessness are under age 6 Source: National Center on Family Homelessness (2010)

– Approx. 52% of children living in shelters are under age 6Source: Homeless Children and Youth (Child Trends Data Bank, 2013)

• Other data show significant increases in the identification of homeless children & youth in public schools (esp. in the last 3-4 years)Source: A Critical Moment: Child and Youth Homelessness in Our Nation's Schools (NAEHCY, 2010)

PRIORITIZE

IDENTIFY

Identification

&

Prioritizing

Where do homeless families live?Source: 2011-2012 SY, U.S. Department of Education

Doubled-Up 75%

Shelters 15%

Hotels / Motels 6%

Unsheltered 4%

IdentifyingMUST

MUST

MUST

SHOULD

use non-traditional sources for recruitment– Shelters – Faith community – M-V Liaisons – Motels

utilize enhanced Community Assessments

amend your screening protocol (i.e. types of questions asked of prospective enrollees)

pay attention to children & families already enrolled

SAMPLE Enrollment Application Questions

1. Check the following living situations that apply:__ Living in own home, rented home, or apartment__ Living with friends or relatives temporarily__ Living in a shelter__ Living in a hotel or motel__ Living in other circumstances (explain)

2. Have you moved in the last 12 months? If so, how many times? What were the circumstances?

Prioritizing

• Selection Criteria

COMPUTERIZED & MANUAL SELECTION CRITERIA RATINGS Children are selected for Center-Based enrollment, in Head Start and Early Head Start, whose family income meets the current Head Start Family Income Guidelines or whose family is categorically eligible and have the greatest number of points in the following categories (select only one item from each category):

Age 4 year old next school year 25 3 year old next school year 15

Income/ Categorically Eligible Homeless 50 Foster Care 40 Public Assistance 40 Below Income Guidelines 40 Working low income (Up to 130%) 05 Over Income 00

Disability Disability diagnosed, multiple 25 Disability diagnosed, single 20 Disability suspected 05 No Disability 00

Parental Status Single Parent 25 Other Family Type or Relative(s) 15 Two Parent 05

Other Transition from the EHS Program 25 Referral from Protect Service/Emrg. Asst. 15

Prioritizing

• Selection Criteria• Reserving slots*• Enrolling immediately (even w/o req’d paperwork)*• Strategically placing and/or delivering services in

ways that favor the population– Partnering w/ shelters for classroom space (but not for self-contained

classrooms)– Home-based services to address doubled-up– Mobile classrooms

• Work to change State policies re: “homelessness” (e.g. Childcare Subsidy laws and policies)

Program Impacts

• Attendance / Enrollment• Family Partnerships & Goals• MH Supports• Transportation• Enhanced communication /monitoring-

tracking system in place with families

Resources

Office of Head Starthttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

National Center for Homeless Educationhttp://www.serve.org/nche

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Developmenthttp://www.hud.gov

U.S. Dept. of Educationhttp://www.ed.gov

Horizons for Homeless Childrenhttp://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org

The National Center on Family Homelessnesshttp://www.familyhomelessness.org 16

Questions?