Head Start Policies & Procedures

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Head Start Policies & Procedures

Policy Number:
EECD-10 / Effective Date:
/ Page:
1 of 1
Proposed Effective Date:
10/1/2014 / Regulation Name & Number
Performance Standard - 1306.33 / Draft Number:
1
Policy Council Approval Date: / Board Approval Date:

SUBJECT: Home Based Program Operation

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:

The home-based program option is designed for families whose children and parents are primarily in the home environment and offers comprehensive Early Head Start services through regular home visits and group playgroup experiences. It is the relationship with the home visitor that forms the foundation for effective service delivery. Home visitors also provide education and guidance and empower parents to advocate on behalf of their young children. Comprehensive, high-quality home visitation services strengthen and support families so that they, in turn, can provide the best possible support for their child.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE:

Once a child has entered the Early Head Start Home Based program the Home based Visitor (HBV) will:

1.  Provide one 90 minute visit per week per child as required by the performance standard 1306.33(a)(1).

a.  Planned home visits that are canceled by program staff will be made up within 30 days to meet the overall required number of visits.

b.  After the third missed visit canceled visit by the family, excused or unexcused, a case conference will be initiated by the HBV to include the Home Based Specialist (HBS), Family Service Coordinator and/or Education Coordinator. At this conference, an action plan will be developed. This plan will be documented in COPA and may include making up the visit(s).

c.  Medical or social service appointments may not replace home visits or scheduled playgroup activities.

d.  A minimum of 45 visits per year per child are required.

e.  HBV must plan the content of the visit jointly with the parent(s).

f.  HBV must conduct the home visit with the participation of parents.

g.  Home visits may not be conducted with babysitters or other temporary caregivers.

2.  The purpose of the home visit is to help parents improve their role as their child’s primary teacher, to assist parents in the use of the home as the child's primary learning environment, and improve parenting skills. Therefore the structure of the Home visit is as follows:

Beginning Routine:

a.  Greet family upon arrival – give child a preferred activity to engage in during this time.

b.  Check on family information over past week, any new updates, concerns, issues,

c.  Review educational activities left from last week’s plan.

d.  Review this week’s plan and activities that are being presented. Review individual goals that are the focus for the week.

Content of Visit:

e.  As the child is engaging in each activity, the HBV will share with the parent skills the child is learning.

f.  The HBV must work with parents to help provide learning opportunities that enhance their child's growth and development.

g.  Home visits must, over the course of a month, contain elements of all Head Start program components. The home visitor is the person responsible for introducing, arranging and/or providing Head Start services.

Closing Routine:

h.  Recap plan and activities presented during visit (this includes skills children acquired and or needs continued support in).

i.  Check off activities completed on lesson plan while recapping plan with parent(s). Make notes about child/family progress.

j.  Leave any follow-up activities/handouts review/complete.

k.  Complete weekly In-Kind form, document parents overall comments about HV on weekly plan, get parent input into next week’s lesson plan, and record closing time of visit with parent.

l.  Upon return to the center, the HBV will document the HV in COPA.

3.  Provide 24 Playgroups annually.

a.  Play groups are offered bi-weekly unless prior approval from the HBS has been obtained.

b.  HBV must follow the nutrition requirements specified in 45 CFR 1304.23(b)(2) and provide appropriate meals to the children during playgroups.

c.  Attendance is strongly encouraged. If a family misses more than 2 playgroups, the HBS must be notified and a plan developed to address the situation. The plan will be documented in COPA and addressed at the next home visit.

d.  Transportation will be discussed with each family. Whenever possible, the family should self-transport or utilize their resources. Transportation will be provided if possible.

4.  Structure of playgroup- Professionalism is expected at all times

Beginning Routine:

a.  The HBV will greet each child and their family and introduces new families.

b.  The HBV is well prepared with all materials and the environment is inviting.

c.  The HBV posts and reviews the agenda for the playgroup – introducing all activities available.

d.  Enlists the help of parents to facilitate different parts of the playgroup.

Content of Playgroup:

e.  The purpose of these playgroup activities for the children is to emphasize peer group interaction through age appropriate activities in a Head Start classroom, community facility, or on a field trip.

f.  Playgroup activities must be focused on both the children and parents.

g.  These activities must be designed so that parents are expected to accompany their children and actively participate.

h.  Children who are not an immediate family member may not attend the playgroups.

i.  Playgroup must contain developmentally appropriate activities that support each of the following domains: Social/Emotional Development, Language and Literacy Strategies, Cognitive Development, Creative Representation, Sensory Development, Music and Movement, Motor Skills and Health for all children.

j.  The HBV explains to the parents the skills their child(ren) are learning within each activity presented.

Closing of Playgroup:

k.  The HBV discusses possible follow-up activities the family can do with the child over the next week.

l.  The HBV encourages parents to evaluate each playgroup in his/her own words as a group or individually with input into the next playgroup.

m.  The home visitor summarizes the playgroup with all parents and completes the weekly In-Kind form.

n.  After playgroup completion, HBV will document in COPA family attendance or reason for nonattendance.

5.  Changes in Schedules:

a.  Permanent change in weekly visit schedule should be emailed to the HBS.

b.  Unplanned changes/no show visits should be reported to the HBS via email.

i.  HBV should be prepared for such cancelations and be prepared to contact other families in need of a make-up visit.

ii. HBV should also utilize this for time recruitment of potential new families.

6.  HBV will send copies of the Monthly Nutrition Project to the HBS, and Monthly HV Attendance and Playgroup Attendance to the Administrative Assistant.