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Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness for
economically disadvantaged children by enhancing their social and cognitive
development through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social
and other services. Head Start programs serve children ages 3-5 and their
families. Early Head Start programs serve pregnant women and children birth to 3
and their families. The federal Office of Head Start (OHS) provides grants to
operate both Head Start and Early Head Start programs directly to public and
private agencies in Nevada. Programs engage parents in their children's learning
and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and
employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents
in the administration of local Head Start programs.
Find
a Head start program near you!
Head Start Collaboration
Through statewide partnerships, the Nevada Head Start State Collaboration and
Early Childhood Systems Office enhances relationships, builds systems, and
promotes comprehensive quality services to meet the needs of young children and
their families. The office exists through grants from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Head Start and the Health Resources Services Administration, Maternal Child
Health Bureau.
The Nevada Head Start State Collaboration and Early
Childhood Systems Office is currently leading efforts to build a comprehensive
system of early childhood services across the state, so all children can enter
school ready to learn.
Intended Outcomes for All Children in Nevada include the
following as agreed on during planning meetings over a two year span:
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All
children are supported and ready to make a successful transition to school.
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All
children have access to early childhood services that are accredited or meet
national standards
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Parents
know child development
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Parents
know what to expect from programs and advocate for their children or self
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Families
partner in decision making at all levels and are satisfied with the services
they receive
-
Families
with young children are supported in their communities (employment,
education, etc)
-
All
children have access to medical home and health insurance
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Social,
emotional, mental health and developmental needs of young children & their
families are supported by community-based services
-
Early
childhood service provider workforce stabilizes
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Early
childhood workforce receives professional development to ensure quality
services for all children (e.g. mental health, disabilities, etc.)
-
More
families report that community-based services are organized so they can use
them easily
OVERVIEW, PURPOSE, ACTIVITIES
"Through statewide partnerships, the Nevada Head Start State
Collaboration and Early Childhood Systems Office enhances
relationships, builds systems, and promotes comprehensive quality
services to meet the needs of young children and their families"
The Nevada Head Start State Collaboration and Early Childhood
Systems Office (HSSCO/ECCS) is a federally funded by two federal
grants. The HSSCO grant is received from the Administration for
Children and Families – Office of Head Start. The Early Childhood
Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) grant is through the Health Services
and Resources Administration – Maternal Child Health Bureau. The
Nevada HSSCO/ECS is located in the Director's Office of the Nevada
Department of Health and Human Services.
The HS SCO works in eight initiative areas to:
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Improve the
availability, accessibility, and quality of child care services
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Improve
collaboration with welfare systems
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Expand and
improve education opportunities in early childhood programs
including caregiver/teacher education
-
Initiate
interaction with community service programs
-
Improve
opportunities for children with disabilities
-
Improve
access to family literacy services;
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Improve
coordination of services for homeless children and families
See this PowerPoint Presentation for more information on the Head Start
State Collaboration Office (.ppt)
The Early Childhood Comprehensive
Systems Project works across five areas, all of which have a
relationship to the eight HSSCO initiative areas. This is the primary
purpose of combining the two projects.
- Medical Homes / Health Care
- Social-Emotional Development /
Mental Health
- Early Care and Education
- Parenting Education
- Family Support Services
See this PowerPoint Presentation for
more information on the
Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Project
(.ppt)
Collaborations and partnerships are
essential to developing a comprehensive Early Childhood System. In
addition, seven core elements must be woven through a comprehensive
system of Early Childhood Services:
- Governance
- Financing
- Standards
- Monitoring/Accountability
- Communications
- Family Leadership Development
- Provider/Practitioner Support
The graphic illustration below
depicts how these elements integrate to form an Early Childhood
Comprehensive System.
A partnership committee composed of representatives from various
state and local child-serving agencies that serve young children and
their families assist the HSSC/ECS Office in achieving its mission. The
partnership committee representation reflects expertise across the
various initiative areas and includes representatives in the areas of
health, mental health, parent education, early childhood education,
literacy, disabilities, welfare, child care, homelessness and other
family support services. The role of the partnership committee is to
provide input and guidance to the HSSC/ECS Office. Committee members
participate in an annual strategic planning session to update the work
plan for Nevada.
Contact Information
The Head Start State Collaboration and Early Childhood Systems Office is
located at:
Margot Chappel
- Director
Head Start Collaboration and Early Childhood Systems Office
560 Mill Street, Suite 205
Reno, Nevada 89502
(775) 688-7453 (desk)
(775) 671-2257 (cell)
(775) 688-2662 (fax)
mchappel@dhhs.nv.gov
The website address is:
http://dhhs.nv.gov/HeadStart.htm
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