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2015-2016 REPORT TO THE PUBLICCommunity Action of Southeast IowaHead Start & Early Head StartAgency Mission StatementCommunity Action is dedicatedto alleviating the conditionsand causes of poverty bybuilding partnerships andstrengthening people throughquality services.Classroom LocationsDes Moines County (319) 752-5692Madison Head StartPreschool & Early Learning Center2132 Madison Ave., Suite 100Burlington, IA 52601Henry County (319) 385-2310Tolson Community Action CenterHead Start & Early Head Start1303 West WashingtonMt. Pleasant, IA 52641North Lee County (319) 372-4471Eichacker Community Action Center Head Start3433 Ave OFt. Madison, IA 52627Richardson Head Start & Early Head Start1020 34th St.Ft. Madison, IA 52627Head Start Mission StatementHead Start – A program wherechildren and families areeducated, challenged, andempowered to embrace theirpotential for success in life –one child, one family at a time.South Lee County (319) 524-6383Marie Tallarico Community Action CenterHead Start & Early Head Start220 South 22ndKeokuk, IA 52632Central Office LocationCommunity Action of Southeast IowaHead Start and Early Head Start Programs2850 Mt. Pleasant St., Suite 108Burlington, IA 52601Phone (319) 753-0193 * Fax (319) 753-06871
Head StartChildren ages 3-5 years are served through two center-based program options in Head Start: full day and part day programs. Full dayprograms are for children whose parents are working, in school, orin training. State Shared Visions funds partially fund the six full dayHead Start classrooms. These funds serve as “wrap around” fundsthat extend the daily program hours for five days per week. Partday programs operate for 3.5 or 4 hours per day, 4 days per week,and offer transportation. The Head Start program also receivesfunding from Early Childhood Iowa to assist with transportationcosts in each of the counties.HS EligibilityPublic Assistance: TANF, SSIFoster Child/HomelessIncome below 100% povertyIncome 100-130% povertyOver Income (above 131%)6%7%Children and Families Served in 2015-2016 Children Served: 30574% of eligible applicants were served Families Served: 286 Funded Enrollment: 264 Average Monthly Enrollment: 98.6% Average Daily Attendance: 81.4%Public Assistance: TANF, SSIFoster Child/HomelessIncome below 100% povertyIncome 100-130% povertyOver Income (above 131%)4%18%1%66%EHS Eligibility8%20%1%69%Actual Enrollment by Eligibility CategoryEarly Head StartThe Early Head Start program is a full day, full year, center-basedprogram for children 0-3 years of age whose parents are workingor in school/training, as well as pregnant women.Children and Families Served in 2015—2016 Children Served: 8077% of eligible applicants were served Pregnant Women Served: 14 Families Served: 75 Funded Enrollment: 70 Average Monthly Enrollment: 94.6% Average Daily Attendance: 79.8%Actual Enrollment by Eligibility CategoryOur programs maintain full compliance with the standards and regulations of the following: Head Start Act & Head Start Program Performance StandardsState (DHS) Childcare/Preschool LicensingChild and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) TransportationNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)(applicable sites/classrooms)Early Childhood IowaIowa Department of Education (IDOE) Shared Visions ProgramOur most recent federal reviewreflects 100% compliance!2
Health ServicesHead Start/Early Head Start knows that healthy children are more apt to succeed academically. That is why we take a comprehensive approach to our services. In additionto educating children academically, we teach children about hygiene, nutrition, dentalcare, etc. We arrange for children to have multiple screenings to help identify possiblehealth or academic need, making referrals to specialist when necessary. We also workwith families to ensure that children are able to receive needed services.Head Start(HS)Early Head Start(EHS)Medical ServicesWithin 45 days of entry, children receive a: physical exam or well baby check, lead level check, hemoglobin/hematocrit level check, vision screening, hearing screening, nutrition assessment, growth assessment, birthhistory assessment, and health history assessment.A) Children with current physical exams (excluding those enrolled less than 30 days)99%96%B) Children with all possible immunizations as of the end of the program year100%100%11213255161111C) Children receiving medical treatment (since 9/1/14) for the following chronicconditions:AnemiaAsthmaHearing DifficultiesVision ProblemsHigh Lead LevelsOral Health ServicesDental exams are required within 90 days of entry into the program. For EHS children, a brief “lift the lip” examcan be completed in the classroom. Iowa Department of Public Health’s I-Smile program visits our HS and EHSclassrooms 3 times per year to apply protective varnish to the children's teeth.A) EHS children receiving dental exams or preventative care(n/a)98%B) HS children receiving a dental exam82%(n/a)13%(n/a)96%(n/a)Of these, the number of children identified as needing dental treatmentC) HS children receiving a fluoride treatmentMental Health ServicesMental Health Consultants observe our Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms a minimum of 3 times peryear to ensure that our classrooms are positive environments in which children can thrive. The consultants willalso observe individual children when parents or teachers have a concern.A) Children receiving an individual mental health assessment152B) Children/families referred for further mental health services83Disability ServicesWithin 45 days of entry, children receive Brigance and ASQ screenings to help identify possible developmentalconcerns. Children are observed and further concerns are referred to a specialist.A) Children with a diagnosed disability resulting in an IEP or IFSP*32 speech/language impairments *8 non-categorical/developmental delay*1 Hearing Impairment*5 (EHS) uncategorized4153
Kindergarten TransitionHead Start helps age-eligible children, and their families, prepare for the kindergarten transition.Transition support provided to the children: Teachers worked with children to increase social skills and problem solving abilities by using Positive Behav-ioral Intervention & Supports (“PBIS”) strategies. Teachers read books about getting ready for kindergarten to alleviateany of the children’s concerns. Children viewed the video “Kindergarten, Here I Come”. Children went on a field trip to the school they will be attending. Children practiced eating lunch “cafeteria style”. They discussed the dif-ferences between that and eating family style in Head Start.Transition support provided to the families: Books about kindergarten were available for families to borrow from the classroom Lending Library. Teachers discussed kindergarten transitioning at each of the two Parent-Teacher Conferences and an-swered the family’s questions. Family Development Specialists provided training to families on advocating for their children during the tran-sition process and once they move on to the public school. Families received a summer calendar that included transition ideas for the children entering kindergarten. Families received a copy of the pamphlet Getting School Ready in Iowa. Families received training from Family Development Specialists on the transition process. At the final homevisit, families received and reviewed “From Head Start to Kindergarten—A Parent’s Guide to Transitioning”.Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment SystemIn our Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms we are using the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment system(referred to as GOLD). The 2015-2016 program year was the fifth year that GOLD was fully implemented into ourprograms.Teaching staff document multiple observations on each child, ineach area of development. The documentation is entered intoeach child’s GOLD record. Data are reviewed at scheduled intervals, called checkpoints. Head Start has three checkpoints eachyear: Fall, Winter, Spring. Our full year Early Head Start classrooms also have a fourth checkpoint: Summer.At the time of these checkpoints, we run reports in order to summarize the data. We identify the children’s skill level in each ofthe areas of development, as well as growth since the previouscheckpoint. An example of the data is provided in the Spring2016 chart. The chart shows each area of development and thepercentage of our Head Start children that were meeting or exceeding the widely-held expectations for that area, as of theSpring 2016 checkpoint.Spring 2016Areas of DevelopmentPercent of ChildrenMeeting/ExceedingExpectationsSocial Emotional88%Physical-Gross Motor86%Physical-Fine maticsGOLD checkpoint data are used for setting goals for individual children and classrooms, planning staff development,and reporting progress to parents & funding sources.4
Family SupportThe most unique thing about our programs is our Family Support System. Family Development Specialists work closely with each family to assist them with identifying their needs andachieving their personal goals as they work to become self-sufficient. In 2015-2016,Strength & Needs Assessments were completed and Family Partnerships were developedwith the families of over 375 children. During this process, the Family Development Specialists provideongoing resources and support to the families. They work especially closewith those families experiencing emergency and/or crisis needs such as:homelessness, lack of adequate food or clothing, loss of benefits, mentalhealth concerns, etc. The Family Development Specialists are also there to“fill in the gaps”. In order to ensure that children receive appropriate medical,dental and mental health care, Family Development Specialists help familiesaccess health insurance, schedule appointments for medical and dental care,and can provide transportation to and from those appointments.Family Development Specialists are also an important part of the Head Start to Kindergarten SchoolReadiness Transition process. Training, regarding the transition process and parent advocacy, was provided at Parent Group meetings and in the home. The Family Development Specialists work closely withteachers and principals at the public schools to set up transition visits to the Kindergarten classroomsand even attend those visits with the children. The Family Development Specialists also share the datesand times of Kindergarten Round-Up with families and talked with them about what to expect.Community PartnershipsAnother big part of our program is the partnerships we have with local service providers inour communities. We partner with the local health departments via their I-Smile program tooffer free fluoride varnishing (3 times a year) to the children. We also work with the Lion’sClub to provide free vision screening for each child. Local mental health providers, such asYoung House Family Services and Optimae Life Services, visit our classrooms to provide observations andrecommendations to the teachers for children experiencing difficulties. They also provide individualizedtherapy services for Head Start & Early Head Start children and families. We partner with Great Prairie AreaEducation Agency (AEA) and the local school districtsto coordinate services for children with developmental, speech, and physical delays and disabilities. It isthrough these continued, strong partnerships that weare able to meet the needs of low-income childrenwithin our communities.5
Parent/Family InvolvementAt Community Action of Southeast Iowa, we understand that parents are the most importantinfluence on a child’s development and education. Research has shown that children whoseparents are involved in their learning, enjoy school more and do better in school. We encourage and welcome parents, and extended family members, tobe involved in their child’s experiences and education throughout the school year. A variety of participation options areavailable as we understand that everyone has different interests and limitations in their lives.Families have been involved with the classroom by spendingtime at school with their children, helping the teachers makematerials for the classroom, or joining us for meals, classroomcooking experiences, or field trips. Field trips are always a favorite for the children and their families. Some field trips haveincluded the Mexican Fiesta in Fort Madison, the Farm &Home store in Keokuk to see new baby chicks, the park, library, post office and to a local restaurant to learn how tomake pizzas. Parents have also joined us for neighborhoodwalks aimed at teaching the children about direction, theircommunity, safety, and nature.Families plan and participate in special events that take place at the centers. The Teddy Bear Clinic isa popular event with families. Children bring a teddy bear, or another stuffed animal, to school to be“checked out” by a nurse to make sure he or she is healthy. The nurse checks the bear’s height,weight, and blood pressure. We also have events and family activities that take place in the evenings. Family dance night, pumpkin decorating, miniature golf, cookouts in the park, and making seasonal decorations are just a few examples of activities that familieshave chosen to do.Parents are also involved in the decision-making process at HeadStart & Early Head Start. They work with teachers and other staff asmembers of their local Parent Committee (or Parent Group) to makeplans for their individual centers. Parents are also members of thePolicy Council and Board of Directors where they make decisionsabout the program, budget, and personnel. Others help with interviews for potential staff as members of the PersonnelCommittee. There is also a Menu Planning Committee where theycan review, plan and make suggestions about the food served atHead Start.There are also many educational opportunities provided. Families have attended meetings to learnmore about Child Abuse Prevention, parenting strategies/techniques, Positive Behavioral Interventions& Supports (PBIS), Raising the Thinking Child, the Head Start to Kindergarten Transition process andexpectations, Parent Leadership & Advocacy, Lead Poisoning (signs and prevention), Mental Health &Stress Management, Family Budgeting & Money Management, Tax preparation, etc.At Head Start, there truly is something for everyone!6
2015—2016Head Start / Early Head Start FundingFEDERAL HEAD START GRANT FUNDINGPersonnel -Includes all HS/EHS staff wagesFringe Benefits -Includes benefits for all HS/EHS staffTravel -Includes out-of-area travel costsSupplies -Includes all office, classroom and tures 1,701,580 1,670,297 865,056 858,133 6,692 5,090 82,472 47,100 300,699 380,992 363,139 358,026 3,319,638 3,319,638Indirect Costs -Includes salary and fringe benefit costs forpositions that provide services to all programs within theagency, such as fiscal, HR, agency administration andmanagement. Also includes related operating costs suchas required audits, space, phone, utilities, etc.TOTALFederal Head Start Grant Funding* Head Start— 2,201,283 Head Start Training— 32,341 Early Head Start— 1,066,063Early Head Start Training— 19,951*See chart above for an explanationof budgetary expenditures. Child and Adult Care Food Program Reimbursement Breakfast— 44,860 Snack— 12,649 Lunch— 117,919Other Funding That Supports the Program Iowa DOE Shared Visions— 430,611 Early Childhood Iowa Henry & Des Moines County— 48,336 Lee & Van Buren County— 32,200Donated Space, Services and Materials— 297,847Agency Financial AuditWe are proud to report that our most recent audit, completed byMeriwether, Wilson & Company, P.L.C., Showed 100% compliance!7
Community SupportThe Office of Head Start understands the importance of involvingfamilies and communities in the support and overall education oflocal children. To promote community involvement, Head Start requires that each program obtain at least 20% of the total grantamount in matching “in-kind” funds, which are received from thecommunity and other non-federal sources. In other words, for every 5 it costs to run the program, we only receive 4 in federal funding.Cash donations from the community help us towards our goal. Donated materials and time (volunteer hours) are assigned a dollar value tocontribute towards the matching funds requirement as well. This means that volunteer hours and donatedfunds and supplies help our program twice; once in direct contribution and once in helping us to meet our required support amount!We appreciate the community members that were able to donate during the 2015-2016 school year! 740 volunteer hours were contributed from September 1st of 2015 through August 31st of 2016. Thattranslated to a donation valued at 44,857! Volunteer hours come in many forms such as parents andpeople from the community helping in the classroom, people sharing their hobbies with the children, andspecialists volunteering their professional time. Volunteers are from all different backgrounds and education levels, volunteering anywhere from a couple hours per yearAs you can see, all donations addto several hours each week. Parents help with lunch time andup and are much appreciated!reading books; firemen share fire safety information with children; speech therapists work with many children; we have evenhad a visit by a pony! A variety of materials have been donated to the program includ-ing hats, mittens, coats, art supplies, parking lot material to fillholes, diapers, etc. Items come from individuals, communitygroups and local organizations. Some donations are made atcentral office for the whole program to make use of while otheritems are dropped off for use in a specific center or classroom.During the 2015-2016 school year, material donations werevalued at 32,726! In addition to the donations noted above, Head Start also received donations in the form of discounted/donated space at several of our locations, as well as labor, funds, and material donations to help relocate our Des Moines County classrooms. These additional donations during the 2015-16 program yeartotaled 220,264.2016-2017Proposed Federal Grant FundingDuring the current 2016-2017 program year,Community Action of Southeast Iowa’s matchingfunds requirement is expected to be 856,401.If you are interested in making a donation of yourtime, funds, or materials, please contact ourCentral Office at 319-753-0193, or your localHead Start Family Development Specialist.PersonnelFringe BenefitsTravelSupplies 1,719,691 909,173 6,692 82,756Other 335,043Indirect Costs 372,247TOTAL 3,425,6028
Community Action of Southeast Iowa . Head Start and Early Head Start Programs . 2850 Mt. Pleasant St., Suite 108 . Burlington, IA 52601 . Phone (319) 753-0193 * Fax (319) 753-0687 . 2015-2016 REPORT TO THE PUBLIC. Community Action of Southeast Iowa . Head Start & Early Head Start.
