Idaho Head Start Collaboration
 

Idaho Head Start State Collaboration is a private non-profit organization made up of members from agencies that are included in the development of state policies that affect programs serving low-income children and their families.

Despite its federal-to-local program structure, Head Start recognizes that the states play an important role in the formulation and implementation of policies and initiatives that affect low-income children and families. Collaboration on behalf of children and families is one of Head Start's highest priorities.

The purpose of the Head Start-State Collaboration grants is to create visible partnerships at the state level to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships.

These partnerships are intended to:
1. Help build early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children.
2. Encourage widespread collaboration between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services and initiatives and augment Head Start's capacity to be a partner in State initiatives on behalf of children and their families; and
3. Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in policies, plans, processes and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and other low-income families.
4. Ensure that Collaboration involves coordination of Head Start services with 1) Health Care; 2) Welfare; 3) Child Care; 4) Education (personnel development); 5) National service; 6) Family literacy services; 7) Activities relating to children 8) Homeless families with children.

The objectives of the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Project are:
1) Improve access to health care.
2) Improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of child care.
3) Improve collaboration with welfare systems.
4) Expand and improve education opportunities in early childhood programs (e.g., transition).
5) Initiate interaction with AmeriCorps (the National Service Program).
6) Improve access to family literacy services.
7) Improve opportunities for children with disabilities.
8) Homeless children.

History of the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Office

     In Idaho, the Head Start-State Collaboration funding award goes through the office of the Governor, who has been given the opportunity to designate a lead agency to apply for the grant. The Governor has designated the lead agency as Health and Welfare, in the Family and Community Services Division.

    ACYF funded the first wave of Head Start-State Collaboration grants in 1990. In 1992, ACYF funded the second wave of grants.

    In 1996, ACYF funded the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration grant in Wave III. The original grant award was awarded for five years.

    In 1997, the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Office was awarded an additional supplemental grant for professional development of staff and managers who work with young children in Head Start, child care, family child care, public schools, and other early childhood settings.

    In 1998, the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Office was awarded an additional supplemental grant for state and community planning.

    In 1999, the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Office was awarded an additional supplemental grant for Strategic Planning.

    In 2000, the Idaho Head Start-State Collaboration Office was awarded an additional supplemental grant for Building Partnerships Through Unified Planning for School Readiness and Transition.

Copyright © 2008 Idaho Head Start Association
www.idahoheadstartassoc.net
Last modified: 04/11/08