Head Start-State Collaboration Office
Projects and Activities

The work of a Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) depends upon both national and state priorities. The HSSCO must work in partnership with entities in the public and private sector to improve the support and services available to families. The HSSCO also works closely with the Head Start community (both through the state Head Start Association and directors of programs) in the overall direction of the grant.

Since 1996, the HSSCO in Washington has engaged in a number of projects and activities designed to enhance early learning systems and services for children, families, and communities. Among the past and current projects:

Head Start Needs Assessment Survey

The Head Start Act of 2007 requires that each HSSCO conduct a statewide needs assessment of Head Start programs. The results of the assessment in each state are intended to inform the development of a five-year strategic plan for the HSSCO which must be updated annually. The Washington HSSCO in DEL released an electronic needs assessment survey in October 2008 which was open until January 2009. The purpose of the survey was to identify the challenges and strengths of Head Start programs in Washington with regard to collaboration, coordination, and alignment of services.

The survey was organized around the nine HSSCO priority areas: Health Services; Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness; Family/Child Assistance; Child Care; Family Literacy; Children with Disabilities; Community Services; Education (Publicly-funded Pre-K Partnership Development and Head Start Transition and Alignment with K-12); and Professional Development. Click to read a summary of survey results.

Head Start Center for Inclusion

The HSSCO currently serves on the advisory board for the Head Start Center for Inclusion. This project serves to provide practical information and tools to assist Head Start programs and personnel in their efforts to effectively include children with disabilities. For more information, visit www.headstartinclusion.org.

Head Start/AAPD Dental Home Initiative

Washington is one of the six pilot states selected by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to begin the work of the Head Start/AAPD Dental Home Initiative. The primary goal of this initiative is to build teams across the state that can work together over the next five years to further enhance access in communities most in need of dental services. The initiative will be implemented by the support of two key teams—a leadership team consisting of Head Start leaders, dentists, and other entities representing oral health (such as the WA Dental Service Foundation), and a mentorship team comprised of community dental providers and Head Start program representatives (directors and health specialists). The HSSCO currently serves as a member of the leadership team.

Early Learning Plan (ELP)

DEL’s Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) has been charged with the creation of a comprehensive plan which aligns the state’s various activities and efforts related to early learning. In conjunction with the role of DEL staff to ELAC, the HSSCO currently serves on the Management Team and Coordinating Support Group for the ELP Steering Committee. Click here for more information.

HS/ECEAP Partnership for Quality

In partnership with ECEAP, WSA, Region X and T/TA, the HSSCO has worked to form the Head Start and ECEAP Partnership for Quality. The group was formed to align efforts and improve the quality and efficiency of services to Head Start and ECEAP programs in Washington.

Rivers of Culture/Rios de Cultura Coalition

In partnership with the Migrant/Seasonal Head Start Collaboration Office and the American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start Collaboration Office, the HSSCO is currently assisting the Rivers of Culture/Rios de Cultura Coalition in the lower Yakima Valley in developing a plan for building a community-based early learning system.

The Rivers of Culture/Rios de Cultura Coalition involves many community partners dedicated to early learning, with a specific focus on building an early learning system grounded in culture and language. The HSSCO has assisted the Coalition by sponsoring facilitation needs and the implementation of a professional development needs assessment in partnership with New Perspectives Consulting, Educational Service District 105, and Heritage University.

Head Start/ECEAP Data Share Agreements

In an effort to assist Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) programs in their outreach and recruitment efforts to families, the HSSCO helped create a partnership with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide yearly access to DSHS client data.

Collaborative Leadership Institute

In partnership with the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP and others, DEL’s Head Start State Collaboration Office supports the Collaborative Leadership Institute (CLI), a 10-month intensive training institute for growing leaders in the early learning and care field. The goal of the CLI is a renewed and lasting network of leaders prepared to advance innovative approaches that benefit children and families in Washington.