The Webinar #1: A Conversation with Head
Start-State and Regional Leaders
May 25, 2011
What is the National Head Start
Association?
 The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization that
believes that every child, regardless of circumstances of
birth, has the ability to succeed in life if given the
opportunity that Head Start and Early Head Start
(collectively “Head Start”) offer to children and their
families.
 NHSA is the national voice of more than 1.1 million
children, 225,000 staff, and 2,800 Head Start and Early
Head Start programs in the United States.
What is the BUILD Initiative?

Multi-state partnership of funders, agencies,
policymakers and nonprofit groups.

Focused on comprehensive early childhood systems
that span ECE, health, mental health, family support
and special needs.

Supports 9 states directly and dozens more through
our publications, TA, conferences and partnerships.
Head Start-QRIS Survey Highlights
 In April 2011, NHSA and the BUILD Initiative
surveyed Head Start-State Collaboration Directors
about their knowledge, attitudes, and understanding
of their state QRIS.
 24 directors completed the survey.
 46% of directors have been in their position <6
years and 21% have been in their position <3 years.
Head Start-QRIS Survey Highlights
(Con’t)
 In describing their knowledge about QRIS, 13%
reported themselves as an expert, 83% as
knowledgeable, and 4% as a novice.
 87% generally (not specific to their state) indicated a
positive opinion and support the development and
implementation of QRIS.
 70% of collaboration directors were in their positions
when their state’s QRIS was designed and launched.
Head Start-QRIS Survey Highlights
(Con’t)
 65% of collaboration directors reported their
involvement in the design, implementation, and
evaluation of their state’s QRIS as significant or
moderate.
Head Start-QRIS Survey Highlights
(Con’t)
Collaboration directors’ top 6 categorical concerns about
having a QRIS in their state were:





Duplication: 65%
Provider supports: 60%
Use and reliability of assessments: 60%
Long-term funding for QRIS implementation: 55%
Including the various service delivery models in the
QRIS: 50%
 Participation rate of providers: 45%
Head Start-QRIS Survey Highlights
(Con’t)
Collaboration directors reported that Head Start
programs could easily participate in five areas of QRIS:





Standards: 83%
Financial Incentives: 65%
Provider Supports: 78%
Quality Assurance: 74%
Consumer Engagement: 65%
Khari Garvin – North Carolina’s Process
Overall Goal:
Thoughtful Planning:
To strengthen the North • Recognition of “growth
opportunity”.
Carolina QRIS system
• Cross-section of contributors &
via a process that
referral sources.
leverages the best of
• Consider holistically…
this and other states’
 The impact of changes on the entire
early care and
system.
education systems and
 Acknowledging required infrastructure
and supports.
other nationally
 Ensure development of an incentiverecognized
based system.
accreditations.
 Intentional inter-facing with other
workgroups ~ taking step together.
NC Proposed Program Standards:
The Reflection of Head Start
 Family Support / Family Engagement
 Community Partnerships
 Staff-child Ratio Requirements
 Administration / Policies & Procedures
 CSEFEL (Center on Social Emotional
Foundations for Early Learning)
Tom Rendon – Iowa Head Start State
Collaboration Office
Head Start and QRIS – Context
 New HSSCO Scope of Work: HSPS & QRIS;
support participation; support childcare participation
(Head Start families)
Iowa Context: Provider support for QRIS
 5 QRIS consultants at CCRR: process application;
promote QRIS; provide assistance
 Iowa State University provides ECERS training and
assessment
Iowa QRIS: Supports
(cont’d)
QRIS includes other quality standards


HS Performance Standards, NAEYC
Accreditation, and Iowa Preschool Program
Standards
Each has its own technical assistance and
support (e.g., curriculum and assessment
training)
Role of Head Start State Collaboration Office
Lauri Frichtl – Illinois Collaboration and
Partnerships
Successes and Challenges

Governance

Regulations/Standards

Professional Development

QRIS Program Support

Data/Accountability

Communication
Illinois Head Start Strategies

Head Start Association vs. Collaboration Office

Advocacy

State Legislation

Membership on Council Committees/Reporting
Structure

State Advisory Council Recommendation

Lessons Learned
Contact Information
Ben Allen, Ph.D.
Public Policy and Research Director
National Head Start Association
Email: ballen@nhsa.org
Gerrit Westervelt, Ph.D.
Executive Director
The BUILD Initiative
Email: gwestervelt@buildinitiative.org
Thank You!