Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Family Service & Parent Involvement. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!
Selection Process
POLICY:
The program has a formal process for establishing selection criteria and for selecting children and families that considers all eligible applicants for Head Start services. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.14
PROCEDURE:
1. Use the information from the annual Community Assessment to determine appropriate eligibility criteria for enrollment into Head Start. This information will be discussed with all parties involved including staff, parents, governing body members, and policy groups. The eligibility criteria will be approved by the Governing Board, Policy Council and the Policy Committees of each delegate program on an annual basis.
2. At least 10% of the total number of enrollment opportunities during an enrollment year are made available to children with disabilities.
3. A maximum of 10% of enrolled children may be from over-income families who meet the criteria and who could benefit from Head Start services. Over-income children are only enrolled in the absence of enough under-income children to fill the program slots.
4. Parents and staff review and update the program’s selection process and criteria annually to make sure enrollment opportunities continue to be based on community needs.
5. The program develops at the beginning of each enrollment year, and maintains during the year, a waiting list that ranks children according to the selection criteria to assure that eligible children enter the program as vacancies occur. Each enrollment slot is filled as soon as a vacancy occurs and not to exceed 30 days.
