Since 1990, the Head Start Bureau has funded Head Start-State Collaboration grants to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships at the State and local levels. The purpose of these partnerships is to:
- Help build early childhood systems and
enhance access to comprehensive services and support for all
low-income children throughout the state;
- Encourage widespread collaboration
between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and
initiatives that augment Head Start’s capacity to be a partner in
state initiatives on behalf of children and their families; and
- Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting the Head Start community and other low-income families.
The Head Start-State Collaboration Offices play an important role in building partnerships at the state and local levels to ensure Head Start’s participation in systems-integration strategies to benefit low-income children and families. Head Start and Early Head Start staff, other early care and education professionals, Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) providers, policymakers, and state and local organizations will benefit from the resources and contacts developed by and for the State Collaboration Offices.
The Head Start-State Collaboration Offices ensure the coordination of Head Start services with health care, welfare, child care, education, community service activities, family literacy services, services to homeless families, and activities related to children with disabilities.
Early childhood
professionals will find resources and activities in the eight
priority areas for the State Collaboration Offices, as well as
information about professional development, policy development, and
regional and state partnerships.
| Topics Covered in the Head Start-State Collaboration Offices |
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