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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20082530.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START BASIC TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Application for Federal Assistance for the Head Start Basic Training and Technical Assistance Grant from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, Family Educational Network of Weld County, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commencing January 1, 2009, and ending December 31, 2009, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado,that the Application for Federal Assistance for the Head Start Basic Training and Technical Assistance Grant from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,on behalf of the Department of Human Services, Family Educational Network of Weld County, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said application. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 22nd day of September, A.D., 2008. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS is L".;.. f6 WELD COUNTY, COLORADO sc ATTEST: " 174„ r."mi.CUSED Ile' � 1Qfl�+a(� H. Je ke, Chair Weld County Clerk to the r P • u` . 'Robert D asde o-Tem BY: G7G1 - Dep t Clerk the Board Willi F. Garcia APP AST G avid E. Long my At ney a oug s adema her Date of signature: it)lrabe 2008-2530 4 C 1-{ ;C l G-L,(5 1 HR0079 /O/o71/4,1 MEMORANDUM a ifs 6 DATE: September 15, 2008 Will TO: William H. Jerke, Chair, Board of County Commissioners O FROM: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Service epartment COLORADO RE: Grant Application for a t alfd Mgr t& Se onal Head Start Enclosed for Board approval are two (2) Grant Applications for 2009 for the Family Educational Network. The Grant applications are for the Head Start Program and the Migrant &Seasonal Head Start Program. These Agreements were presented at the September 8,2008, Board Work Session. 0,4- sa,ctici,1l4I co Regional Head Start will serve 4-8@ children for a total of$4;489,860.00. r l'6O 61,469, o tx.) Migrant& Seasonal Head Start Program will serve 562 children for a total of$2,814,779.00 The term of these Agreements is from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. If you have questions please give me a call at extension 6510. Com.FE N W C.HS M HSGrantApp091508 2008-2530 APPLICATION FOR 2.DATE SUBMITTED: Applicant Identifier 08CH0019 FEDERAL ASSISTANCE 1.TYPE OF SUBMISSION 3.DATE RECEIVED BY STATE: State Application Identifier Application Preapplication EI Construction ❑Construction 4.DATE RECEIVED BY FEDERAL AGENCY Federal Identifier OBCH0019 El Non-Construction ❑Non-Construction 5.APPLICANT INFORMATION Legal Name: Weld County Dept of Human Services-FENWC Organizational Unit: Department: Family Education Network of Weld County Organizational DUNS: 139136811 Division: Address: Name and telephone number of the person to be contacted on matters Street: 315A North 11th Ave involving this application(give area code) Prefix:Ms First Name:Judy City: Greeley Middle Name: County: Weld Last Name: Griego State: CO Zip Code:80631 Suffix: Country: USA Email: griegoja@co.weld.co.us 6. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(EIN) Phone Number(give area code) Fax Number(give area code) 970-352-1551 x 6510 970-346-7691 8 I 4 . 6 0 0 0 8 1 3 8.TYPE OF APPLICATION 7.TYPE OF APPLICANT(enter appropriate letter in box) B New X Continuation Revision Other(specify) If Revision,enter appropriate letter(s)in box(es): Other(specify) 9.NAME OF FEDERAL AGENCY: USDHHS/ACF/ACYF/Head Start 10.CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC g 13 • 6 0 0 11.DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF APPLICANTS PROJECT: ASSISTANCE NUMBER: PY 2009 Head Start Basic 8 T&TA Continuation Grant TITLE(Name of Program):Head Start 12.AREAS AFFECTED BY PROJECT (Cities,Counties,States etc.): Weld County,Colorado 13.PROPOSED PROJECT: 14.CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF: Start Date: 1/01/2009 Ending Date: 12/31/2009 a.Applicant4 b.Project 15.ESTIMATED FUNDING 16.15 APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS? a Federal S 2,814,779.00 a. YES THIS PREAPPLICATION/APPLICATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS FOR REVIEW ON b Applicant S 703,695.00 c State S 0.00 Date b. NO n PROGRAM IS NOT COVERED BY E.O.12372 d Local S 0.00 X OR PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED BY STATE FOR REVIEW e Other S 0.00 f Program Income $ 0.00 17.IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? g Total $ 3,518,474.00 Yes If"Yes?attach an explanation. X No 18.TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF,ALL DATA IN THIS APPLICATION ARE TRUE AND CORRECT. THE DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DULY AUTHORIZED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE APPLICANT AND THE APPLICANT WILL COMPLY WITH THE ATTACHED ASSURANCES IF THE ASSISTANCE IS AWARDED a.Authorized Representative Prefix Mr. I First Name Robert Middle Name D. Last Name Masden Suffix b.Title Chair,Weld County Board of Commissioners c.Telephone number 970-356-4000 (� (Pro—Tern) d.Signature of Authorized Representative 1/ I - - \1.n e.Date Signed 09/22/2008 ��L 0 �4-��� Standard Form 424(Rev.9-2003) Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102 0 aD' - ;(53 o :e' N IN n Or) O 0 O UO) ) W W ki ^ N q i O) v) - ay: : O CO O O CO r m a CO- 0) co- O oD o N Oi c0 7 'R -N. m` o N-V S In M N CO S OD OD N N N Cr _2 Z o c`'i M f, 0 N 69 69 69 N N ¢.zr V c _ ' Ii o o0 0 -0 N- . 0 r c seu t» to r; m it ,O pI ir.•.4.-.'.".*:41 . U ,tx p .: O ,r 0 Z W CL 1_ U : co r P�C O v 7Y c L O d m N N0 t¥:r.�. a) 69aG, > a 7 F a r`� 1111111111 U W trif NCG m +t m z o Li o a'O m z �` U co wLL 0. O 4cya= ^ , U- 0 O 0 m = Q N LL U.I �,- r O) O O O o r r C.) 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Ir7U , '.., �„ IuIII163 Mf9 d rW ul a' Itest cc Z C7 C w v 2 CJs lOt re hj[ Iuu1 $ 11111,OM NI sol CI `O' iU 'r o st N `r ILI Ca `CO m v 0, co ado 'a:; 1- Z t.; iJ } m o^ u U In ri N H M M R c I 0 0 0 N m a C • E. Tu la E N" s2f' b Ol C 0 O CO ...,.4,,4,•„;" m rn an ft, vcr o M o0 0 r.:.: N N c O O Oyt O N cr J :*"% t` J to U Y a L J t .4 Z H y ll Z {d4. Ca kx ` P al co Co a7 r M- r 'r (r W a7 cri , co- . . N N PART IV PROGRAM NARRATIVE The Family Educational Network of Weld County provides a comprehensive early childhood education program that focuses on early childhood development and provides support to families within Weld County, supported by the Head Start framework. FENWC works with a variety of agencies to identify the needs of families and determine eligibility according to funding sources. Services are individualized so that they are responsible to the needs of each family. The following services are available to eligible children and families through FENWC. • Education Services Teaching staff writes and uses Individual Development Plans (IDP'S) for each child. This working document stimulates social, emotional, motor and intellectual learning experiences; self-reliance, self-esteem and self-confidence are encouraged, thus, they establish the underpinnings of future educational success. • Health Services The Program's Health Component works in collaboration with various agencies and private providers to furnish a broad range of medical, dental and mental health activities. Children identified with disabilities are identified and services provided for them. The Program provides health, safety and nutrition education to the parents to promote sound physical and mental child development. • Family Services/Parent Involvement Family Services works directly with a variety of human service agencies to obtain needed assistance for families and to provide social services, educational and employment training to parents. This support enables families to improve the quality and condition of their lives. FENWC considers parents an integral part of the Head Start team. Parent participation is encouraged in the decision-making process, not only regarding their children's education but also in the overall operation of the program. The Program supports parents in their role and joins them in the process of developing goals for their children. MISSION STATEMENT FENWC's mission is to provide children and families with a high quality, comprehensive program which promotes self-esteem, fosters social and educational competence, develops independence, and enables children and families to be lifetime learners and responsible, valued members of their community. VISION STATEMENT Our Vision is that FENWC will continue to be a high quality program where the staff is respected, educated and supported as strong leaders in the field of education. To that end we endeavor to foster unity within the community and nurture collaborative efforts within the school districts. Our Program strives to work closely with governing bodies to support families, children and staff to meet their diverse needs. The Family Educational Network of Weld County is committed to providing families with a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive program that promotes self-esteem, fosters social-competence, develops independence, and enables children and families to experience future successes. Funding for FENWC comes primarily from Federal Grants, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children, Youth and Families/Administration of Children and Families/Head Start Bureau/Region VIII. Other funding sources come from the State of Colorado, passed through local school districts and CCAP funding from the Department of Human Services. Children qualify through the following funding sources: the Regional Head Start Program, Colorado Preschool Program and School District Disabilities Funds. FENWC currently has fourteen sites located throughout Weld County. I. OBJECTIVES, NEED FOR ASSISTANCE AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA The Weld County Division of Human Services' Family Educational Network of Weld County (FENWC), 1551 North 17th Avenue/P.O. Box 1805, Greeley, Colorado, 80632, provides a comprehensive early childhood education program which focuses on early childhood development and provides support to eligible families throughout Weld County through the Head Start framework. FENWC currently serves 562 Head Start eligible children. The primary objective of FENWC is to provide the following services in order to foster families' increased social competence, prepare children for school success, and prepare children and families to be healthy, productive members of their community: Parent Involvement; Health Services; Nutritional Services; Social Services; and Educational Services. FENWC encourages active parent involvement through the following opportunities: Policy Council; Parent Committee; in the classroom as volunteers or observers; volunteers in the service areas; working with the children at home; and, taking the lead as the primary educator/caretaker of the child. When eligible families are enrolled, they receive an informational packet with details about the 2 program and specific component areas and responsibilities. The packet includes educational, nutritional, mental health and disabilities educational materials. Parents receive educational information via the Parent Involvement Van, Home Visits, Parent Committee Meetings and through information sent home with their children. Parents can check out books and videos from the Parent Involvement Van and through the mobile lending libraries that visit the centers. Area agencies also coordinate visits to families with Head Start case managers or participate at Parent Committee Meetings. A major emphasis continues to be parent education, again with the objective of increasing the social competence of families by building parenting skills and teaching skills for becoming vocal advocates for their children's education. For children to develop high self-esteem and be successful in school it is important that our program work with the parents so that they understand the important role they have as their children's primary educators. A further objective is to assist parents in their efforts to gain the confidence to work with their children at home, feel comfortable in a school setting to support their children, feel empowered to further their own educational and skill levels, find employment, and be able to access needed support services. FENWC is currently partnering with the Weld County Department of Social Services to administer a Federal Building Healthy Marriages Demonstration Grant. Many Head Start families are participating in the grant activities. Need for Assistance — Community Assessment Geographic Area (map attached) The Family Educational Network of Weld County provides Head Start services to eligible families in Weld County at 14 sites in the following areas: Greeley - There are 7 sites in Greeley, Colorado, providing services to children living in Greeley and the rural northeast and northwest. Frederick — A two-classroom facility at Frederick, Colorado, serves the towns and rural areas of Fort Lupton, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Erie, and Mead and the rural southeast and southwest. Hudson — Two classrooms at Hudson, Colorado, provide services to children in the towns and rural areas around Hudson, Keenesburg, Prospect Valley and Roggen. Gilcrest/Platteville — Two elementary school classrooms in School District Re-1provide services to local area children. Milliken — Two classrooms at Milliken, Colorado provide services to children in the Milliken/Johnstown area. 3 Wage Comparability Study — The program conducted a wage comparability study in the fall of 2007. Salary for several positions was below comparability for that position at that time when compared with the other RHS programs in Colorado. This included Education, Disabilities, Health and Family and Community Partnerships Specialists, as well as Education Coordinators, Center Directors and Teachers. This disparity also existed when these positions were compared to comparable positions in local school districts, although school district credential requirements were higher than those for Head Start personnel. This disparity did not exist when salaries were compared to local salaries for private early childhood facilities and child care homes. FENWC makes every attempt to hire teachers with a minimum of an A.A., and Teacher Assistants must have a minimum of a high school diploma with 1800 verifiable hours working with children under the age of 6 in a preschool setting. Minimum credentialing standards for teachers and teacher assistants in the private sector are lower than those in Head Start. If increased funding to keep up with the cost of services does not materialize and/or reduction in Federal funding continues, the Program faces the potential of salary or staff cutbacks in order to continue to provide required range of services to the funded number of children and families. II. PROGRAM APPROACH AND RESULTS OR EXPECTED BENEFITS The Family Educational Network of Weld County proposes to continue a comprehensive Head Start Program in Weld County, providing services to eligible children and families. The program's targeted enrollment is 562, with no fewer than 56 slots available for children with disabilities to be enrolled and no more than 56 children in the 10% over-income category to be enrolled. Priority is based on the program's Recruitment Plan, reviewed annually by the program and Policy Council, and approved by the Policy Council. Centers will operate two 3 and '/ hour double sessions 4 days a week. The Full Day Full Year classrooms will operate 8 hours 5 days per week. The size of Weld County (4,000 sq. miles) and the challenges faced by the rural nature of the community, as well as the skyrocketing cost of transportation services have forced the Program to rethink its ability to transport children. In 2009, the Program will provide transportation services through contracted providers or gas vouchers for families for hardship and special cases in the rural areas only. For the balance of the population, the Program has developed a menu of available, low or no-cost public services that families can access. In addition, the Program will initiate a buddy system-carpool system through which parents can work together to determine means to transport Children to school. All preschool classrooms will be staffed at a 1:9 maximum ratio, with 2 teachers and a maximum of 17 children in each classroom. These ratios significantly impact the program's budget, but they meet Head Start Performance Standards. 4 The proposed Program Option for the grant period is Center Based: 4-day, Tuesday through Friday, 3 1/2 hour double sessions serving preschool children and their families, for 128-134 days in 18 double session classrooms and three Full Day Full Year classrooms serving 17 children each Monday through Friday for 8 hours per day for 184 days. The number of children actually served at each site may vary as a result of the ebb and flow of the population as well as FENWC's open enrollment system through which the program continually replaces children who leave the program FENWC assesses the needs of families and their children and ensures that an individualized program is adopted to meet their particular needs. A Family Needs Assessment and Partnership Agreement are completed with each family by a Center Director to decide how the Head Start Program may best support the family. Once the assessment and agreement are complete, a plan is developed for the family, which takes into consideration the individual needs of the child and family. Goals and objectives are developed with the family's participation. Regular follow-up is provided. In addition to regular classroom literacy education and activities for children, the program will continue to provide a Read-A-Thon month for children and families, Literacy Bags and a Literacy Fair. Each year the Program solicits new and gently used books in Spanish and English for the Read-A-Thon which is a month- long activity designed to get the entire family reading. In collaboration with Aims Community College, the program checks out Literacy Bags to children on a weekly basis. The bags contain books and activities for children and the entire family to enjoy. When bags are returned, new bags can be checked out. The program has also collaborated with Promises for Children to apply for grant monies to double the number of Literacy Bags in the program. In addition, in a community-wide initiative, the program participates in quarterly Literacy Fairs, family events that encourage literacy, enhance parenting skills and promote school readiness. Literacy will be encouraged for adults as well as General Education Diploma (GED) support, English as a Second Language (ESL), or basic skills for employment. Participants lacking a high school education will be enrolled in GED/ABE classes or Remediation activities. The need for literacy enrichment will be determined through the Family Partnership Agreement, and all families will receive the service coordination and support necessary to reach identified goals. The FENWC/Employment Services - "Literacy in Technology Program" will provide adult educational services. FENWC and Employment Services of Weld County have implemented a Wide Area Network, which includes adult literacy programs and General Education Diploma (GED) programs. The project will continue to use the highly successful INVEST- 5 Destinations Curriculum/Program, which has a successful rate of educational gain. Studies indicate a full grade-level gain for eight hours of study, using the Destinations approach. Monolingual non-English speaking families will be provided with English as a Second Language classes either through the "Literacy in Technology Program's Rosetta Stone Curriculum or referrals to appropriate agencies in the community. Upon mastery in the English language, the families can proceed into remedial and vocational education to promote self-sufficiency and employability retention, if the need is indicated on the Family Partnership Agreement. The adult educational level is a minimum high school graduation or GED, or equivalent grade level at the end of the program. Many are then able to move on to vocational or higher education. With an increased literacy level, it will be possible for parents to continue their education and/or receive vocational or other training leading to gainful employment, and leave the welfare and public assistance rolls. Networking endeavors of FENWC include establishing stronger working relationships with the Weld County School Districts. We have developed a "neighborhood school" concept; twelve of fourteen sites are located on elementary school campuses or within the elementary school facility. Transitional activities are occurring at all sites. FENWC staff has the opportunity to share in the in-services and training of the school districts, parents have early exposure to the school system and; therefore, are enabled to assist their child toward a successful educational experience. Children are successfully transitioned into the public school system; as service delivery is enhanced by the public school, and special needs children continue receiving services without interruption. FENWC staff is involved in many community organizations and boards that provide direct and support services for families and children. By this involvement our program is apprized of the needs of families and the community, and is able to assist families with many of their needs. Employment and literacy are a great need of Head Start families. Our relationship with the Weld County Department of Human Services, Employment Services allows Center Directors to effectively assist families with their employment and literacy needs. The Computer Learning Lab of Employment Services coordinates with the program to connect computers in all Head Start centers via a Wide Area Network (WAN) which allows our families easier access to a literacy program. The program also offers the benefits of educational opportunities for staff. If the programs through Employment Services do not meet the needs of the families, there are numerous resources in the community that families can be 6 referred to, including Right to Read, Aims Community College and Catholic Charities Northern. FENWC has an excellent working relationship with community agencies. The Education Component will utilize Creative Curriculum in all classrooms and supplement it with phonological awareness and SLA strategies as a curricular framework to meet the diverse needs of the children served. Children's primary language will be spoken and written in the classroom as a springboard to learning English. At Center Committee and Policy Council meetings, parents will be encouraged to help with curriculum planning to ensure that the program is meeting the individual and cultural needs of the children. Regular outcomes assessment of children's progress toward individual goals will help maintain classroom focus and monitor and adjust curriculum delivers to ensure success for all children. The program will continue to utilize the ASQ screening tool to identify possible delays or disabilities. If the screening pinpoints a possible developmental problem, professionals will complete further assessment, by which the most suitable means to serve a child will be determined. After the process is complete, and after securing a professional determination, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be written by an interdisciplinary team including the parents. Team development of the plan ensures that the child receives the benefit of support in the classroom as well as in the home. Follow-up and support for the family are done via home visits, parent/teacher conferences and telephone contacts (when possible). This process supports the unique needs of each child and family. To promote a viable, functional Policy Council, FENWC will continue to conduct training on roles and responsibilities, beginning with Center Committee Meetings. After parents have received initial training, they will select Center Committee officers and representatives to the Policy Council. New Policy Council members attend an annual orientation at the program's expense to ensure they are able to fulfill their duties. In addition, the Policy Council members meet annually with the Governing Body, the Weld Board of County Commissioners for training and orientation. Policy Council meets monthly, with the exception of the months of May, June and July, unless the Council determines that a special meeting is warranted. The Family Educational Network of Weld County is committed to providing at-risk children and families with a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive program that will promote self-esteem, foster social competence, develop independence, and enable children and families to experience future lifetime 7 successes. The program believes that to ensure success we must work with entire families for children to develop self-esteem and be successful in future life endeavors. It is critical that the program work with the parents so they understand the important role they have in their child's life, as the primary educator. FENWC works with parents so they may gain confidence to work with their children at home and learn now to advocate for their children in the school setting. The current Community Assessment and school district counts point to slower growth in Weld County towns, such as Milliken, Johnstown, Frederick and Firestone. In addition, the Fort Lupton area, once burgeoning, has experienced a minor exodus, reducing the need for as many Head Start slots. In the Greeley/Evans area, the downturn in population growth appears to have reversed itself, with the school district reporting a steady population again this year. The program proposes to continue in its current status for the 2008-9 program year. The Family Educational Network of Weld County is committed to providing at-risk children and families with a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive program which will promote self-esteem, foster social competence, develop independence, and enable children and families to experience future lifetime successes. Belief Statements: We believe • In a high quality program which provides continued education and services to families and children before, during and after Head Start services, • In building a network of partnerships with the community, staff and families to establish mutual respect of the services we share among one another, • That educating children, families and staff in basic health and nutrition practices will establish a firm foundation for positive and culturally relevant learning and well-being, • That the power of families happens when the community comes together and shares the responsibility of helping the families and educators share their ideas and opinions to be better heard and respected, • That working together as a team, including staff and families, we can create a comprehensive program which will meet everyone's needs, 8 • In a supportive, culturally sensitive learning environment for children, parents and staff that is developmentally and age- appropriate and promotes social competence, emotional physical and cognitive growth, • In promoting and respecting personal and professional growth, and in helping to build a community that respects and supports the individual needs of each staff member, adult, and child in our program, thereby ensuring that children and families with diverse needs are valued members of society. RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED Expected Program Benefits: • To improve the child's health and physical abilities, including taking appropriate steps to correct present physical and mental problems and to enhance every child's access to an adequate diet, • To improve family attitudes toward their future health care and physical abilities, • To encourage self-confidence, spontaneity, curiosity and self-discipline which will assist in the development of the child's social and emotional health, • To enhance the child's mental processes and skills with particular attention to conceptual and communications skills, • To establish patterns and expectations of success for the child, which will create a climate of confidence for present and future learning efforts and overall development, to increase the child's and the family's ability to relate to each other and to others, and • To enhance the sense of dignity and self-worth within the child and family. Based on the results of the Program Information Report, Community Assessment, Self-Assessment, Staff and Parent Surveys, monthly Monitoring Reports, ECERS, ITERS and ELLCO, and the PRISM reviews, the following goals have been established for our three-year strategic plan (attached): 1) strengthen the internal and external communication system; 2) reach full enrollment yearly; 3) train teaching staff to provide developmentally appropriate activities so that each child will be prepared for school success; 4) recruit, hire and maintain qualified staff. 9 Results: The following goals that were identified through the Self- Assessment, Child Outcomes and NRS data, planning groups, the Community Assessment, parent and staff surveys and 2005 PRISM review and have been achieved. • Adoption and use of a written curriculum. • Revision of program calendar to ensure a minimum of 128 child contact days. • Redoubling enrollment efforts to ensure full enrollment on the first day of the program. • Review and revision of program Policies and Procedures to ensure they reflect actual practice. • Separation of Federal funds from parent fundraising funds. • Revision of the program's Monitoring System to more effectively implement Federal regulations, monitor findings and respond quickly to problems. • Inclusion of Child Outcomes in the Self-Assessment process. • Continued movement toward 100% implementation of national initiatives, including Father Involvement, staff qualifications, Management Initiative, T/TA Plan initiative and literacy-based curriculum. Results from ongoing monitoring, the 2008 Self Assessment, Strategic Plan progress toward goals, the 2008 Community Assessment, 2007-8 Child Outcomes data, focus groups, and parent/staff surveys have been analyzed to develop additional goals for the upcoming program year. These goals are reflected in the attached Training and Technical Assistance Plan, and will drive the development of the 2009 Work Plans. 10 Hello