Head Start - State Collaboration Office
| Mission Statement | |
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To impact the lives of low-income children and families by influencing state and local policy and the effective delivery of services, while linking Head Start Programs and communities through collaborative relationships. |
Head Start Collaboration Needs Assessment Report - 2008
Montana State Head Start Association
- Child Care
- Disability Services
- Education
- Family Literacy
- Health / Mental Health
- Community Service
- Welfare
- Homelessness
Collaboration Office Target Areas
Child Care
Head Start and all low-income families will have access to high quality child care services and programs for their children.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office recognizes the need to develop policies and practices that promote the collaboration and coordination that is essential to improving child care availability, quality, and affordability. The Collaboration Office provides information and training about partnerships and high quality services necessary to support working families. Quality child care is a critical element in a child's early years. Head Start and Early Head Start programs may provide full day or part day services for children, partner with child care providers or help families locate and choose appropriate full day services. In order to support programs and families, The Head Start Collaboration Office:
- Is on the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council (MECAC) and the Public Policy Committee of MECAC.
- Is employed by a Child Care Partnerships a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R).
- Is on the Board of Montana Association for the Education of Young Children (MtAEYC).
- Has access to and communicates with Montana Child Care Association.
- Conducts periodic training and information sessions for CCR&Rs, Head Start and Early Head Start programs and others.
- Housed in the Early Childhood Services Bureau and has daily contact with all state government specialists in child care.
- Works daily with Montana Head Start Association
Disability Services
Head Start and all low-income families will have access to high quality services for their children with disabilities.
Many productive collaborations exist to coordinate services for children and families. Head Start classrooms offer an ideal setting for the integration of preschool children with disabilities. Partnerships that bring both entities together enhance and strengthen the services available to young children. The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office can assist with collaborative agreements, strategies, and the publicizing and sharing of successes. At the state level we work with following entities in a variety of ways to ensure best practices.
- Office of Public Instruction – Preschool Special Education Services, Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD), Montana Behavior Initiative.
- Developmental Disabilities of DPHHS – Part C – Infant/Toddler services
- Child Care plus+ at the Rural Institute on Disabilities at the University of MT.
- Parents Lets Unite for Kids – PLUK
- Montana Head Start Association
Education
Head Start and all low-income families will have access to high quality services and programs for their children in the area of education.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office strives to improve the education services offered to low-income children and families. Information and support can be provided regarding transition agreements between early childhood programs and schools. When school and programs work together, families find success. The Collaboration Office is very active in the area of education. In 2006, an intense school readiness focus was started by working with the Governor’s Office to host two Summits. 19 local community teams have formed to support school readiness. The Collaboration Office oversees the work of the School Readiness Task Force with guidance from the National Governor’s Association, ECSB and the Governor’s Office. We work with the following partners on various aspects of education:
- Early Childhood Partnership for Professional Development
- Early Childhood Career Development Advisory Council
- Montana Association for the Education of Young Children
- Early Childhood Project at MSU
- Technical Assistance providers for Head Start and Early Head Start
- Office of Public Instruction
- The Montana Governor’s Office and the National Governor’s Association
- The School Readiness Task Force and local Community Teams
- Montana Head Start Association
Family Literacy
Head Start and all low-income families will have access to high quality family literacy programs and activities as they move toward self-sufficiency.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office recognizes the need to form community partnerships that assist and support families in the attainment of literacy. Head Start programs offer a unique and hospitable environment for parents to pursue education in many forms. The Collaboration Project will support programs as they seek to meet varying family needs. Federal financial support for family literacy programs has greatly diminished in the recent past. However, for Head Start programs much training and support is available and local partners could be included. At the state level we are involved in some projects that will ultimately benefit families directly.
- Bill of Rights for Children with Incarcerated Parents – creating a tool kit of useful information for families.
- Fatherhood Initiative – Head Start and Early Head Start programs have created a strategic state plan.
- Head Start Day at the Capitol – is every January of a Legislative year
Health / Mental Health
Head Start and all low-income families will have access to high quality services and programs for their children in the area of Health Care, which includes insurance, medical homes, mental health and oral health.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office focuses on assisting communities in their quest to develop a network of providers that will actively address the needs of children and families in the areas of medical, mental health, dental care, and nutrition information. Many aspects of life are affected by health and well being. Working together, the health care and Head Start communities can minimize many obstacles that prevent families from having a medical "home." In late 2005, The Collaboration Office took on coordination of the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant for Family and Community Health of DPHHS. Much of that work is focused on healthy young children and families being ready for school and life. In order to accomplish the work we work very closely with:
- The Oral Health officer of DPHHS and the Montana Oral Health Alliance – Community Based Prevention Committee
- Family and Community Health Bureau of DPHHS and Advisory Council
- The Medicaid Office of DPHHS
- Children’s Mental Health Office of DPHHS
- Montana Dental Association
- Montana Primary Care Office
- Child and Adult Care Food Program
- Montana Governor’s Office
- Montana Mental Health Association
- Region VIII Oral Health Specialist
- Joint Committee for Healthy Kids of OPI
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) of DPHHS
- Head Start and Early Head Start Health Coordinators
Community Service
Head Start and all low-income families will have sufficient and meaningful volunteer opportunities in their communities.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office is aware of the need to develop new and more creative ways to provide volunteer opportunities for families and programs to meet the needs of both. We are committed to working with national, state, and local programs to foster the values and practices of volunteerism. Examples are: Americorp VISTA, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Foster Grandparents, Green Thumb, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, churches, local service organizations, schools, hospitals, etc. The Collaboration Office:
- Works with the Prevention Resource Center of DPHHS
- Conducts some volunteer training on pertinent early childhood issues
- Has been home to four VISTA volunteers
- Works with Montana Head Start Association
Welfare
Head Start and all low-income families will be appropriately supported as they move toward self-sufficiency.
The Montana Head Start/State Collaboration Office is committed to assisting families, programs, agencies, and organizations in the collaboration process as they build and strengthen the support services available for families participating in welfare programs. The Project will help to identify barriers and advocate for minimizing those barriers created by policies that do not work in practice or implementation. We work with:
- Child Care Resource and Referral Offices
- Early Childhood Services Bureau
- Human and Community Services Division
- Montana Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Office (TANF)
- Montana Governor’s Office
- Montana Head Start Association
Homelessness
Head Start and all low income families should have access to affordable and adequate housing.
Families who become homeless will be appropriately served by meaningful and relevant community partnerships. The Collaboration Office encourages community partnerships and strategies to best meet the needs of families who are homeless by working with:
- The Montana Homeless Coalition
- The Montana Hunger and Homeless Coalition
- Continuum of Care Network of the HRDCs
- Montana Head Start Association
Civil Rights
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of race, national origin, ethnic background, sex, religious affiliation, or disability, you have a right to file a complaint.
To file a complaint of discrimination contact:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
1961 Stout Street - Room 1426
Denver, CO 80294
(303) 844-2024; (303) 844-3439 (TDD)
(303) 844-2025 FAXhttp://www.hhs.gov/ocr/discrimhowtofile.html
OR
Jamie Palagi, Chief
Early Childhood Services Bureau
DPHHS, P. O. Box 202925
Helena MT 59620-2925
or call toll free (866) 239-0458
