Project Title: Proposal to Provide Head Start Services in Loudoun County, Virginia Applicant Name: Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Address: 43711 Partlow Road, Ste. 12, Ashburn, VA 20147 Phone: (571) 252-2110; Fax (703) 669-1444; Cell (703) 862-0421 Website: www.lcps.org/headstart
Project Summary
The Loudoun County School District, operating as Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), has been the sole Head Start grantee in Loudoun County, Virginia for 26 years. Through this Funding Opportunity, the LCPS Head Start program proposes to continue offering high- quality Head Start services to 100 eligible children and families through the provision of early education, health, and social-emotional services that focus on the development of the whole child while simultaneously supporting the family. Although Loudoun has the highest median income in the nation, many children and families live in pockets of deep poverty with limited access to basic needs. Head Start eligible families experience other challenges including language barriers, access to health care, employment training, adult education, parenting skills training, and mental health assistance. Obtaining resources for these needs in an affluent county often provides additional barriers. To be ready to learn and succeed in school, children must first be supported cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. The LCPS Head Start program proposes to provide the comprehensive services needed to meet this goal for students in six preschool classrooms located in LCPS schools within the geographic boundaries of greatest need. Proposed services will be provided to children ages 3 or 4 by September 30th living anywhere in Loudoun County. The LCPS Head Start staff have the qualifications, knowledge and experience necessary to oversee a program of its size and scope. Staff members participate in continuous professional development to stay abreast of current research-based service delivery within their fields and emerging family and community needs. The staff have the capacity for effective planning and implementation of all requirements in the Head Start Act and Program Performance Standards as evidenced by past successful federal reviews. The integration of newly hired coordinators with Head Start veteran coordinators has resulted in a robust Management Team rooted in past success with an eye for continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery. The LCPS Head Start staff will continue to emphasize the importance of parent participation in all areas of the program from the classroom to the conference room. Effective governance of the LCPS Head Start program is shared by an actively engaged parent-led Policy Council with members from each center location and the LCPS School Board, whose highly- qualified members represent all areas of the county. The LCPS Head Start program will continue to receive system-wide support from Loudoun County Public Schools to provide transportation services, nutrition services and employee benefits in excess of the required 20% local share. The LCPS Head Start program will continue to nurture strong community partnerships in support of eligible children and families. The LCPS Head Start program, in collaboration with the Policy Council and the School Board, prepare a budget and monitor spending regularly to ensure Head Start federal funds are used to their maximum potential to reach as many eligible children as possible while maintaining high caliber services. This careful stewardship of federal funds will continue should LCPS Head Start be awarded this Funding Opportunity. Table of Contents
1. Demonstration of Need for Child Development and Health Services: Page 1 Location, Population, and Service Delivery Options
2. Achieving Early Learning and Development Outcomes to Promote Page 20 School Readiness for Children
3. Past Performance Page 34
4. Staffing and Supporting a Strong Early Learning Workforce Page 43
5. Planning and Implementation Page 48
6. Organizational Capacity and Governance Page 51
7. Budget and Budget Justification Page 61 1. Demonstration of Need: Location, Population, and Service Delivery Options:
• Head Start in Loudoun County, Virginia
The Loudoun County School District, operating as Loudoun County Public Schools
(LCPS), was awarded a grant to provide services from the Office of Head Start in 1994 and has remained the only Head Start Grantee in Loudoun County for 26 years. After a year of start-up,
LCPS provided Head Start services for 68 children and their families. With guidance from the annual Community Assessment, and the availability of an expansion grant, the Policy Council and the Governing Body supported a program expansion to serve 17 additional children and families in 2001 for a total enrollment of 85 four-year old students. The following year, LCPS
Head Start expanded again to include a classroom for 15 three-year-old students. LCPS Head
Start is currently funded to provide services for 100 children and their families.
With this Funding Opportunity, LCPS proposes to continue providing Head Start services for 100 eligible children and families living in Loudoun County, VA with no Delegate Agencies.
Loudoun County is located in Northern Virginia about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C. with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, Virginia’s horse country to the south and Dulles
International Airport on its eastern boundary. The county contains seven incorporated towns and numerous villages and planned communities within a land area of 520 square miles. Loudoun
County is bounded by seven counties in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland and is accessible to the entire Washington Metropolitan area. Loudoun celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2007.
• Documentation of Need
Historically a rural, agriculturally based county, Loudoun has become a thriving metropolitan suburb. Loudoun County’s population has tripled since 1990 which has resulted in heavy commercial and housing development particularly in the eastern parts of the county. As
1 of 74 the home to major organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security, United Airlines,
Verizon, and Dulles International Airport, Loudoun County has diverse and expanding job and business opportunities. In contrast to eastern Loudoun, the western area of the county maintains a strong rural economy and supports many wineries, farms and a large equine industry. Loudoun
County is characterized by relative affluence with the highest median household income in the nation. This figure is more than double the national average, and more than five times the 2019-
2020 Head Start eligibility criteria for a family of four. 1
This climate of affluence introduces additional challenges for families experiencing poverty and deep poverty within the county boundaries. Although Loudoun has the lowest child poverty rate in the state, 3.0% in 2017 (as compared to Virginia’s 14% and the nation’s 18%),
47.4% of these children are living in deep poverty which is 50% below the federal poverty guidelines. Almost a third of the children living in poverty are under age 6.2 Pockets of higher overall poverty exist in Loudoun County along several census tracts including one in Sterling,
VA (Census Tract 6112.05 with 12.5% poverty and 102 children under age 6) and one in
Leesburg, VA (Census Tract 6105.05 with 9.2% poverty and 132 children under age 6).3 While the food insecurity rate for children in Loudoun County is relatively low at 9.5%, 66% of these children are likely ineligible for assistance due to income limitations and/or immigration status.4
Loudoun County has also seen a dramatic rise in the number of students who meet the eligibility criteria for McKinney-Vento status as homeless, a 16% increase from the 2018-2019 school year. The number of eligible students in LCPS federally and publicly funded preschool programs alone rose by 33%. Further, with the high median income and high cost of living in Loudoun, a
1 US Census Bureau American Community Survey Data, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs 2 Voices for Virginia’s Children, https://vakids.org 3 US Census Bureau American Community Survey Data 3/1/2019, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs 4 Loudoun Hunger summit, www.loudounhunger.org
2 of 74 large gap exists between the poverty threshold and level of income necessary for a family to be self-sustainable (able to afford essentials such as food, housing, transportation and health care).
➢ Demographics
RACE & ETHNICITY
Loudoun County Head Start Eligible
White 67.6% 72.0%
• White persons not Hispanic (55.3%) (15.6%)
Black 8.0% 12.1%
American Indian/ Alaska Native 0.5% 0.7%
Asian 20.0% 6.8%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.0%
Two or More Races 3.9% 8.4%
Hispanic (can be of any race) 13.8% 59.0%
LANGUAGE
Primary Language Other than English 31.0% 67.6%
➢ Poverty Statistics5:
Loudoun County Overall Poverty Rate - 2018 Number %
Residents Born U.S. Citizens 9,042 3.2%
Residents Born Citizens of Countries Other than U.S. 4,685 5.3%
Overall Poverty Rate 13,727 3.7%
5 Voices for Virginia’s Children, https://vakids.org
3 of 74 Child Poverty Rate: 2017 Loudoun Virginia U.S.
Number % Number % Number %
Children 0-17 Living at or Below 3,871 3.0% 258,038 14.0% 13,353,000 18%
100% Poverty
Of these, Children Under Age 6 1,233 31.9%
Children 0-17 Living in Deep 1,834 47.4% 127,332 46.5% 5,883,000 8.0%
Poverty (Below 50%)
➢ Incidence of Family Risk Factors: Percentage of Head Start Eligible Children
Family Risk Factors 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Average
Child has a chronic illness/suspected disability 15.6% 18.1% 15.9% 16.5%
Child has a mental health concern -- -- 9.3 9.3%
Parent/Guardian has a chronic illness/disability 18.3 23.8 21.5 21.2%
Parent/Guardian has a mental health concern -- -- 25.2 25.2%
Single parent/guardian 56.9 59.0 55.1 57.0%
Incarcerated parent/guardian 8.3 24.8 26.2 19.8%
Unemployed parent/guardian 57.8 70.5 57.9 62.1%
History of abuse or domestic violence 17.4 25.7 36.4 26.5%
History of child abuse/neglect 7.3 5.7 13.1 8.7%
Teenage birth parent 25.7 23.8 30.8 26.8%
Parent/Guardian substance abuse 1.8 10.5 3.7 5.3%
Parent/Guardian with low education ( 4 of 74 The Virginia Department of Education estimated there will be 655 four-year-old children considered to be “at-risk” residing in Loudoun County during the 2019-2020 school year. LCPS Head Start provides services to approximately 85 four-year-old students living at or below poverty each year. The locally funded Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) preschool program, LCPS Starting Toward Excellence in Preschool (STEP), provides preschool services to approximately 300 four-year-old students from families with income up to 200% of poverty. This leaves approximately 270 children considered to be “at risk” without state or federally funded preschool services. Throughout the 26 years as a grantee, LCPS Head Start has consistently maintained full enrollment with a robust waiting list. There is a high need for Head Start child and family services in Loudoun County, Virginia. • Incidence of Community Health Problems: The Inova Loudoun Hospital conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment in 2016 and identified the following as significant health needs in Loudoun County: access to dental and primary care, access to mental health services, obesity related concerns for children and adolescents, excessive alcohol use, and the incidence of Lyme disease.6 Residents without insurance, immigrants, undocumented workers, minority populations and those with language barriers experience greater challenges in accessing care than the general population. Lack of transportation options, lack of health insurance coverage, and service affordability were all identified as significant barriers. Services are not well distributed throughout the county, especially in the western areas where public transportation is limited. Low-income individuals and racial/ethnic minorities have the highest uninsured rate, are least able to see a doctor due to cost and rely on emergency departments for primary care. 6 Inova Loudoun Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment, https://www.inova.org/sites/default/files/about-inova/Inova%20in%20the%20Community/2016-ILH-CHNA.pdf 5 of 74 The incidence of Lyme Disease in Loudoun County (54.0 per 100,000) far exceeds the Virginia average (14.1 per 100,000). The per-capita supply of mental health providers (1 provider for every 781 people) in Loudoun County is below the Virginia average. Access to mental health services for adolescents and services to meet long-term mental health needs is especially challenging. Bullying, drug use, gang involvement, and childhood obesity are all concerns for this population. Obesity related concerns for children and adolescents were also noted as a top community health concern. Prescription drugs, opioids, and alcohol were the most commonly cited substances abused. In county health rankings, Loudoun ranked 126 out of 133 counties for “excessive drinking” with indicators for “binge plus heavy drinking” and the “12 percent of driving deaths with alcohol impairment” exceed Virginia and U.S. averages. • Directing Resources to the Geographic Areas of Greatest Need Active community outreach and diversified recruitment efforts enable program staff to recruit and enroll children with the greatest need for services. In order to best direct resources to the areas of greatest need, the LCPS Head Start staff will continue to identify current and emerging family and community needs. LCPS Head Start Family Service Professionals (FSPs) begin data collection with the application and enrollment process. The FSPs capture qualitative data that reflects each family’s structure, strengths and needs. An initial needs assessment is conducted which allows staff to immediately identify geographic pockets of families with high needs and to determine the type of needs. This data is transferred into an in-house quantitative measuring instrument called the Scaled Family Assessment Tool. This tool allows program staff to measure the strengths and areas of need based on the seven Family Outcomes outlined in the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework. Once data is entered, the ChildPlus Data Management System is then able to produce reports that highlight 6 of 74 the areas of need by family, classroom, geographic area, and program. Additionally, the FSPs compile a Family Database which reflects an in-depth analysis of socio-economic factors that each family is experiencing such as employment status, transportation access, primary language, and custody. This data is analyzed and distributed to all LCPS Head Start Service Area Coordinators to guide service delivery by geographic area to ensure equitable distribution of services and referrals. The LCPS Head Start program will also continue to host Community Resource Fairs tailored to the geographic areas where families have the greatest needs. ➢ Geographic Areas of Greatest Need Based on Selection Criteria Scores: Classroom Location City County Area Average Eligibility Score Dominion High School* Sterling East 677.2 Sully Elementary School Sterling East 655.9 Sugarland Elementary School Sterling East 671.7 Rock Ridge High School Ashburn East Central 524.8 Tuscarora High School* Leesburg Central 687.2 Woodgrove High School Purcellville West 517.5 * Full-Time LCPS Head Start Classrooms 7 of 74 ➢ Community Need Index7 During the 2018-2019 school year, all LCPS Head Start classes operated for four hours a day, four days a week (512 annual hours). In March 2019, LCPS Head Start was awarded a Duration Supplement from the Office of Head Start that provided additional federal funds to support an increase in annual hours to 1,020 at two of the six class sites for the 2019-2020 school year. In collaboration with the Policy Council and the Governing Body, the two class sites that serve the children with highest Selection Criteria Scores, living in the Census Tracts with the highest levels of poverty and in zip codes identified as having the highest Community Needs 7 The Community Need Index™ is based on five social and economic indicators: the percentage of elders, children, and single parents living in poverty; the percentage of adults over the age of 25 with limited English proficiency, and the percentage of the population that is non-White; the percentage of the population without a high school diploma; the percentage of uninsured and unemployed residents; and the percentage of the population renting houses. Scores range from lowest need (1.0-1.7) to highest need (4.2-5.0); www.cni.chw-interactive.org 8 of 74 Index scores were selected for full day services. Data collected for the annual Community Assessment as well as the results from the annual Self-Assessment also revealed the need for LCPS Head Start to increase instructional time for all students. Until additional Duration Supplemental Funding is made available, LCPS Head Start created a community-based plan to begin offering additional services to all enrolled students during the 2019-2020 school year. LCPS Head Start Staff, in collaboration with the Policy Council and the Governing Body, secured in-kind support from the LCPS Transportation Department and LCPS Food Services to expand all classes to five days a week, 160 days a year, without additional federal funding. Part-time students now attend school for 640 annual hours, which represents a 25% increase. Beginning in September 2019, LCPS Head Start provides services for six and a half hours a day, five days a week at two sites and four hours a day, five days a week at four sites. All enrolled children and families benefit from the addition of 32 planned instruction days over the course of the school year. Location City Annual Hours Months Max. Number of Days Per Day Students Dominion High School Sterling 160 6.5 9 20 Rock Ridge High School Ashburn 160 4.0 9 20 Sugarland Elementary Sterling 160 4.0 9 15 Sully Elementary Sterling 160 4.0 9 16 Tuscarora High School Leesburg 160 6.5 9 20 Woodgrove High School Purcellville 160 4.0 9 20 9 of 74 • Proposed Program Type: Head Start With this Funding Opportunity, LCPS proposes to continue solely offering high-quality, comprehensive Head Start services to eligible Loudoun County residents. The Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) Early Head Start program, a community partner agency, provides center-based services for 32 eligible children and home-based services for 52 eligible families in Loudoun County, Virginia. Children in the center-based programs receive full-day, full-year care with a child-centered approach to learning, daily nutritious meals and services to provide comprehensive solutions to each child’s health and educational needs. In the home-based program, Early Head Start parent educators provide weekly 90-minute education sessions in the home. Families gather twice a month for play and socialization and are linked with a variety of resources and services according to their individual needs. The LCPS Head Start Program has a strong partnership with the NVFS Early Head Start program. The Head Start Family and Community Partnership Coordinator (FCPC) works closely with Early Head Start’s Family Advocate in regard to service delivery and referrals. The agencies collaborated to create an internal referral form to simplify the process for the families aging out of Early Head Start and applying for Head Start services. The FCPC identifies Head Start eligible mothers who are pregnant or have a child under age three during the enrollment process and helps any interested families complete the internal referral form to apply for Early Head Start services. The FCPC also attends Early Head Start Family Meetings to introduce families to the LCPS Head Start program, answer questions and explain the application process. The LCPS Head Start program has maintained full enrollment throughout 26 years of service provision with an active waiting list at each site to fill any enrollment vacancies during the school year in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Virginia 10 of 74 Department of Education has identified approximately 270 four-year-old children living in Loudoun County considered “at risk” for whom there are no enrollment opportunities available after Head Start and the Virginia Preschool Initiative STEP programs are fully enrolled. Due to the strong partnership between NVFS Early Head Start and LCPS Head Start, the ability of Early Head Start to meet the needs of eligible families living in Loudoun, and the number of unserved eligible four-year-olds, this grant proposal is written to solely provide Head Start services in Loudoun County, Virginia. ➢ Approximate Number of Eligible 4-Year-Old Children by Geographic Area: Zip Code City County Area Approx. Number of Eligible 4-Year-Olds 20164 Sterling East 227 20165 Sterling East 46 20166 Sterling East 54 20147 Ashburn East Central 51 20148 Ashburn East Central 25 20105 Aldie South Central 34 20152 South Riding South Central 45 20175 Leesburg Central 37 20176 Leesburg Central 88 20132 Purcellville West 23 20180 Lovettsville North West 11 20117 Middleburg South West 11 20184 Upperville South West 3 11 of 74 • Proposed Program Option: Center-Based The LCPS Head Start program currently uses the center-based option to provide services and proposes to continue this option with this Funding Opportunity. LCPS Head Start centers are located throughout Loudoun County in order to serve the children with the greatest need for services. Three centers are located in the east, two centers are centrally located, and one center is located in the west. The center-based option is the most appropriate option to meet the needs of the community because of the high number of parents/guardians who are working or in school (an average of 75.1%) and because of the expansive recruitment area. The LCPS Transportation Department provides bus service to enrolled children living anywhere in the county. The LCPS Head Start Management Team provides careful oversight of the setting, ratios and group size, duration, licensing and square footage requirements for compliance with all areas of 1302 Subpart B of the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Percentage of Head Start Eligible Families Family Economic Profile 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 Average Two Parents: Both Parents Employed 16.5% 7.0% 8.7% 10.7% Two Parents: One Parent Employed 32.0 32.0 31.0 31.7% Two Parents: Both parents Unemployed 0.0 3.0 3.9 2.3% One Parent: Parent is Employed 34.0 30.0 33.0 32.3% One Parent: Parent is Unemployed 16.5 28.0 23.3 22.6% • Full-Day, Full-Year Services in the Community The Loudoun County Department of Family Services (DFS) offers child care subsidies and referrals for low-income families through several separate service departments. DFS 12 of 74 provides funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia state to subsidize child care for Head Start enrolled children and their siblings (Head Start Wrap-Around Daycare) if the parents or guardians are working or attending school. Unlike the child care subsidy program available to all income-eligible Loudoun County residents, the Head Start Wrap-Around program does not have a waiting list to access funding. This partnership between DFS and Head Start provides a continuous day of activities for enrolled children including school and child care allowing for full-day, full-year child care arrangements. The majority of Head Start families are income- eligible for these funds and the services are available within a few days. This program continues until the Head Start child begins kindergarten. Families choose a child care option such as a private for-profit provider, a babysitter or services from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. LCPS Head Start has a partnership with DFS to streamline the application process for families who are working or in school. Families who are interested in accessing these services sign a Release of Information allowing LCPS Head Start staff to share their child’s enrollment information with DFS. • Access to Other Early Childhood Education Programs in the Geographic Area In addition to operating a Head Start program, Loudoun County Public Schools operates the STEP Preschool program (Starting Toward Excellence in Preschool), a state funded Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) program. This program provides preschool services for children who are four years-old by September 30th and eligible for free or reduced lunch. The LCPS Head Start and STEP programs share a single point-of-entry to ensure that LCPS Head Start serves the children with the greatest need for services. This close collaboration affords unserved Head Start eligible children access to another early education program in the county. To date, the STEP program has served 104 Head Start eligible students during the 2019-2020 school year. 13 of 74 The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) provides child care services for children ages 3-5 years at five locations throughout the county. This program is available year-round. PRCS also provides preschool services for children ages 2½ to 5 years at ten locations throughout the county. This program follows the public school schedule. These services are fee based but lower than most private child care providers. Privately, there are many providers that offer child care services and preschool programs for any age-eligible child in the county. This includes child care centers and licensed home child care providers. Through a collaboration of several human resource organizations, the Child Care Connection website was created to provide lists of regulated and licensed child care providers, information on child care assistance, training opportunities, tips for selecting quality child care and information about starting a home child care business. A more comprehensive list can be found on Loudoun County’s Child Care Connection website. If a family does not have internet access, a hard copy of this list can be obtained from DFS or the LCPS Head Start office. • Plan to Enroll Students with Disabilities The LCPS Head Start program follows a comprehensive plan to enroll students with disabilities to meet the needs of the community and in accordance with the Head Start Act and the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Infant and Toddler Connection of Loudoun Early Intervention program and the LCPS Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) department are the primary providers of disability services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) for children ages four and under in Loudoun County. The Infant and Toddler Connection provides services for children with disabilities and developmental delays from birth to three years of age. Preschool children identified with a disability receive services through the LCPS ECSE Department. Services are 14 of 74 provided through a resource teacher in the classroom, in the child’s home, or in a child care center. Children enrolled in LCPS Head Start and STEP who are identified with a disability receive services from the LCPS ECSE Department. Both programs have seen an increase in referrals and services provided during the past three school years.8 The LCPS Head Start program is a member of the Early Intervention Community Partners, a group of community representatives focused on identifying and providing services for children with disabilities from birth to five years old. This group meets quarterly and facilitates referrals to the appropriate agencies to provide needed services to children with disabilities and their families. The LCPS Head Start Supervisor enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LCPS Supervisor of Special Education Services annually to define the collaboration plan to provide services for eligible preschool children with a disability. In addition to this MOU, the LCPS Head Start program follows the LCPS Head Start Collaboration Guidelines for Recruitment, Enrollment and Service Coordination. This comprehensive plan outlines the roles of staff in both departments to ensure services are provided in the least restrictive environment. The LCPS Head Start program actively recruits eligible students who have a suspected disability or currently have disabilities services in place through a comprehensive county-wide recruitment process. The LCPS Head Start program collaborates with LCPS ECSE to identify eligible preschool students receiving services under IDEA for whom a Head Start classroom may represent the least restrictive environment to achieve the goals in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students with an IEP receive a high Selection Criteria Score, giving them priority enrollment status in LCPS Head Start. If a child is currently receiving Special Education services (resource or class-based) he/she may apply for the Head Start preschool program. Students may 8 Infant and Toddler Connection of Loudoun, https://www.loudoun.gov/2778/Infant-Toddler-Early-Intervention; LCPS ECSE Department, https://www.lcps.org/page/909 15 of 74 be dually enrolled in Head Start and ECSE with the maximum amount of time in the least restrictive environment or students may receive resource level ECSE services during the LCPS Head Start school day. This dual enrollment ensures the fullest participation in Head Start program services for enrolled children with disabilities. If a family expresses a concern for the development of their child during the application process, the LCPS Head Start program refers the family to the LCPS Child Find department. Child Find provides free developmental screenings for children ages 2 (by September 30) to 5 (and not age-eligible for kindergarten). Although infants and toddlers are not requested as support for this Funding Opportunity, the LCPS Head Start program serves as a resource to families who suspect their infant or toddler has a disability through referrals to the Infant and Toddler Connection of Loudoun. • Evidence of Community Engagement Designed to Improve Service Delivery, Increase Access to Services and Prevent Duplication Effective community partnerships are critical in supporting the well-being of Head Start children and families by providing accessibility to resources to fulfill family needs. The LCPS Head Start program staff have fostered strong community connections across all areas of service delivery over the past 26 years as a Head Start grantee in Loudoun County. Each service area coordinator is responsible for nurturing existing community partners within their field in addition to adding new partners to meet any emerging or unfulfilled needs. The Health/Nutrition Coordinator and the Mental Health Coordinator co-facilitate the Head Start Health/Mental Health Advisory Committee which meets biannually. Community partners that provide health and mental health services to children and families in Loudoun attend meetings to share available resources from their organization and to provide guidance to the LCPS Head Start program regarding service delivery. This collaboration increases access to services while avoiding 16 of 74 duplication through the opportunity to network with agencies providing similar services. The LCPS Head Start program has a Family Service Staff responsible for assessing and addressing family needs. This team consists of two Family Service Professionals (the Family and Community Partnership Coordinator and the Mental Health Coordinator) and two Family and Community Partnership Assistants (one bilingual in Spanish). LCPS Head Start staff begin to assess family needs early in the application and enrollment process in order to modify the service delivery model to meet the needs of the current families. Family data analysis by geographic region informs the development of Head Start events to increase access to community agencies and organizations in the specific areas of need. For example, during the 2019-2020 school year, the LCPS Head Start program plans to host three Resource Fairs in the communities with the greatest needs (Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg) and invite community agencies to best address their targeted needs. For example, the Loudoun County Department of Family Services participates in the Resource Fairs to reach Head Start families that may be eligible for child care assistance. Representatives from food pantries attend the Resource Fairs in their geographic location to assist local Head Start families in accessing their services. Partners from local health assistance programs, such as Healthworks, will attend events in the communities that have high rates of individuals without health insurance. Events such as these allow for a targeted recruitment strategy to connect families with the most necessary community resources more effectively than at-large community recruitment efforts. The number of enrolled children from McKinney-Vento eligible families has steadily increased over the past three school years. In the 2019-2020 school year, 75.5% of enrolled students are identified as McKinney-Vento eligible, which is an increase of 75% from the previous school year. The majority of these families request assistance in obtaining basic needs 17 of 74 such as food, clothing, and household items. Therefore, in addition to the Resource Fairs, the LCPS Head Start Family Service Staff connects families to community agencies as needed throughout the school year. For example, agencies such as LINK, Loudoun Hunger Relief and the Tree of Life provide access to food. The LCPS Head Start Family Service Staff established an internal voucher referral system with the Good Shepherd Alliance and Women Giving Back to streamline the process for families to receive free clothing in Loudoun County. Assisting families in obtaining child care assistance has shown to be an essential step in achieving self- sufficiency. The Department of Family Services Child Care Assistance program allows LCPS Head Start staff to assist families in completing the steps to obtain financial assistance with child care and accepts a copy of the family’s LCPS Head Start Acceptance Letter as proof of eligibility. This collaboration between the programs allows eligible families to access services with fewer barriers and without delay. In addition to basic needs, the LCPS Head Start program continues its tradition by supporting families with holiday assistance. The Salvation Army has a local office that offers a comprehensive holiday assistance program and has partnered with the LCPS Head Start Program to streamline the registration process for Head Start families. A Memorandum of Understanding has been established to reduce the required paperwork for LCPS Head Start families to participate in the Angel Tree holiday assistance program. Two other community agencies, the Community Empowerment Group and LINK, Inc., are housed in the same neighborhoods where most of the high needs Head Start families are currently living. The LCPS Head Start Family Service staff have partnered with these agencies to eliminate the eligibility portion of the application for families that have already been deemed Head Start eligible. Furthermore, the LCPS Head Start Family Service staff assists families with translation 18 of 74 and transportation services as needed as they connect with local community agencies. Local community agencies that serve Head Start eligible children and families (including the Loudoun County Department of Family Services, Loudoun County Health Department, LINK, Loudoun Hunger Relief, and the Good Shepherd Alliance) support LCPS Head Start by referring their clients to the program. This service delivery model is designed to improve service delivery, increase access to services, and prevent duplication. Unemployment Rates in the Washington, DC Metro Area - June 2019 Arlington County, VA Falls Church City, VA Alexandria City, VA Fairfax City, VA Fairfax County, VA Loudoun County, VA Manassas Park, VA Fauquier County, VA Manassas City, VA Prince William County, VA Clarke County, VA Stafford County, VA Warren County, VA Spotsylvania County, VA Montgomery County, MD Jefferson County, WV Fredericksburg City, VA Calvert County, MD United States Charles County, MD Prince George's County, MD District of Columbia 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 Data Provided By: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 19 of 74 2. Achieving Early Learning and Development Outcomes to Promote School Readiness • Curriculum and Teaching Practices The LCPS Head Start program proposes to continue implementing the research-based HighScope Curriculum should this Funding Opportunity be awarded. The HighScope curriculum has recently been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as one of seven curricula that contain the core components necessary for a comprehensive preschool curriculum.9 HighScope is developmentally appropriate for three- and four-year-old students of all backgrounds due to its focus on active learning and student interest and choices. HighScope is based on child development theory and research. With HighScope, students have direct, hands- on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. They construct their own knowledge through interactions with the world and the people around them. The LCPS Head Start Education Staff carefully plan learning experiences in reading, mathematics and science to expand students’ thinking with meaningful, diverse materials and with nurturing interactions. To support dual language learners, students who have disabilities and/or students experiencing homelessness, individualized scaffolded and differentiated learning opportunities are provided. The Education Staff effectively monitor student progress by recording daily anecdotes describing what children do and say, use the Key Developmental Indicators (KDI) Scaffolding Charts to rate their developmental level and record it in the Child Observation Record (COR). This process allows staff to intentionally plan appropriate learning experiences that match children’s interests and abilities and promote progress toward the program’s school readiness goals. The LCPS Head Start program uses the Conscious Discipline Curriculum to complement HighScope. Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive emotional intelligence and classroom 9 VDOE Report on Early Childhood Plan: A Plan to Ensure High-Quality Instruction in all VPI Classrooms, 2018 20 of 74 management system that integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) in an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach. It is designed to modify teacher and child behavior in order to build a school and classroom culture built on safety, connection, and problem-solving instead of external rewards and punishment. Conscious Discipline consists of a philosophy, common language, and set of behavior management strategies and positive discipline techniques that help adults manage their thoughts, feelings, and actions in the face of daily stressors, as well as teach these skills to students. Instead of scripted lessons delivered as a discrete component of the day, each section is taught through associated classroom structures, rituals, or routines designed to set behavioral expectations, build school and classroom connectedness, and scaffold social and emotional skill development during every day teachable moments. The Education Staff learn and model these skills in their classrooms through intensive training and self-study, as well as ongoing coaching and support from the LCPS Head Start Education Coordinator and the Mental Health Coordinator. The use of this curriculum promotes progress toward the program’s school readiness goals by fostering the culture of safety and connectedness necessary to allow students to fully attend to the individualized learning opportunities provided by the Education Staff. • Establishing and Measuring School Readiness Goals The LCPS Head Start program staff establish annual school readiness goals to monitor all students’ status and progress across the domains of language and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge, approaches to learning, physical well-being and motor development, and social and emotional development that will improve their readiness for kindergarten. Each school readiness goal is aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), the kindergarten Standards of Learning for Virginia, and the Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early 21 of 74 Learning and, as such, reflect the ages of the children that will receive Head Start services (age three or four by September 30th). Each goal is comprised of four sections: teaching practices, data, professional development plan, and strategies/action plan. Parents/guardians are invited to participate in classroom activities and are provided educational tips/strategies to share with their children at home to maximize student outcomes. In addition to generalized action steps geared toward all students, the school readiness goals also include steps tailored to those who are dual language learners. The LCPS Head Start staff ensure that these goals are culturally and linguistically appropriate through the provision of a responsive learning environment that is led by a diverse teaching staff representative of the class majority who speak a language other than English. The LCPS Head Start Education Staff recognize that linguistically and culturally diverse Head Start students come to the classroom with previously acquired language and require language supports such as picture cues, songs, chants, and gestures within their daily lessons and routines to provide meaningful instruction and English language development. The Head Start Education Coordinator, in collaboration with the Management Team, oversees the process for reviewing and revising the program’s school readiness goals annually. Prior to the annual agency wide Self-Assessment, the Education Staff hold a focused Education Self-Assessment to analyze child outcome data and determine goals in any domains that require revision in order to best meet the needs of students across the program as a whole. The results of the Education Self-Assessment are compiled to be presented at the annual Self-Assessment. Parent input is also a key component in establishing school readiness goals. All program goals, including the school readiness goals, are reviewed and updated each spring through the agency wide Self-Assessment process which includes input from the Policy Council, the LCPS School Board, parents/guardians, community members, teachers and Head Start staff. Data from child 22 of 74 outcomes, parent surveys, and the Community Assessment are among the information used to guide the revision. All parents/guardians of enrolled children are invited to participate in the annual Self-Assessment process at which time the school readiness goals are discussed in depth. After receiving training on the process, the Self-Assessment Team works in small groups to discuss each Head Start service area. Team members are asked to note “grows and glows,” areas where the program could use improvement and areas where the program shines. They then have the opportunity to discuss the future of service delivery in that area. This process includes school readiness goals. Following Self-Assessment, the Education Coordinator creates a proposal for revision to the school readiness goals. All revisions to goals are then submitted for approval to the parent-led Policy Council and the LCPS School Board annually. • Assessment Tool and Assessment Data The LCPS Head Start program proposes to continue using the Child Observation Record (COR) as the primary ongoing assessment tool to measure students’ status and progress across all domains of learning. This tool was selected due to its precise alignment with the HighScope curriculum and its ability to measure authentic child interactions to paint the most accurate picture of child development and learning. The COR provides teachers with the data to align daily instructional practice to students’ individual developmental needs. This assessment system focuses on children’s naturally occurring activities rather than their performance on tests, allowing for a broader assessment of each child’s development. It allows teachers to assess all key developmental areas of children’s progress. The comprehensive indicators help teachers track children’s progress relative to Kindergarten readiness, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Common Core Standards for Kindergarten, all state early learning standards, and HighScope Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs). Each teaching team takes 23 of 74 anecdotal notes and records them into the COR Advantage program so that they can assess data to individualize learning instruction for each child based on where the child is on the developmental continuum. The LCPS Head Start Education Coordinator aggregates and analyzes this child-level assessment data three times per year. Results are analyzed by demographic factors including primary language, race/ethnicity, and age. The results are shared with the Management Team during monthly Data Management Meetings. This data is used to determine progress toward meeting program goals and to make any course corrections for continuous improvement related to curriculum, instruction, professional development and program design. Revisions may be made to the Training and Technical Assistance Professional Development Plan to provide the learning opportunities necessary to achieve the program’s school readiness goals. • Meeting the Needs of Preschoolers with Disabilities The LCPS Head Start program meets the individualized needs of preschoolers with disabilities through collaborative partnerships with the LCPS Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) department and the LCPS Speech/Language Program to provide: screenings, evaluations, referrals, Individualized Education Program (IEP) services, joint professional development and training, transition services, and resource sharing. Prior to the start of school, a joint staffing is convened for LCPS Head Start students who have an IEP to share each student’s goals and to foster collaboration. Resource level and/or ECSE class-based teachers consult with the Head Start teacher on a regular basis to facilitate consistency of intervention and supports across settings. In addition, the Head Start and Special Education teachers collaborate on Home Visits (as appropriate), Parent/Teacher Conferences, and documentation of progress per IEP goals. Collaboration with ECSE ensure that LCPS Head Start students with an IEP receive individualized support in classrooms with typically developing age-appropriate peers in the least 24 of 74 restrictive environment to meet their IEP goals. The LCPS Head Start program follows the protocol established by the LCPS Department of Diagnostic and Prevention Services for enrolled Head Start students who are suspected of having a disability which include Child Study Committee Meetings, the Eligibility Process, and the writing of IEPs at the child’s home school (if necessary). If a student is referred for a full evaluation, the general educator and/or the Speech Language Pathologist who made the referral completes the necessary assessments and reports for the evaluation process. LCPS Interpreters are available to support families with this process who have language barriers. Parents are required to agree to and sign the paperwork for any IEP that is set up for their child which ensures their involvement in its development. The LCPS Head Start Mental Health Coordinator connects with families of the students going through the IEP process to ensure they understand each step and are equipped to advocate for their child. The Mental Health Coordinator is available to attend all IEP meetings to support the parent at their request. LCPS follows the federal IDEA guidelines for IEP’s and IFSP’s when identifying persons responsible for planning, delivering, and supervising services and projected dates for services to begin. Transition plans are developed for children to provide continuity of care as children with disabilities move from one program to the next. The LCPS Head Start program attends to the individual needs of children with disabilities by making any necessary accommodations to ensure a comfortable and safe classroom environment. Ongoing assessments are conducted with every student during the year to continue to support their individualized needs. Annual assessments, as required by IDEA, are provided for all students with IEPs. The LCPS Head Start Education Staff also record observations using indicators from the HighScope curriculum. Intentionally planned individualization noted in 25 of 74 weekly Lesson Plans reflect focus on extending each child’s abilities. • Meeting Health, Mental Health, Nutritional, and Oral Health Needs The LCPS Head Start Health/Nutrition Coordinator, a Registered Nurse, provides oversight, direct services and community referrals to assist enrolled families with their health and wellness needs. The LCPS Head Start program begins to address the health, mental health, nutritional, and oral health needs of children during the initial application process. Once a child is accepted to enroll in the program, the family receives a detailed packet with information regarding how and where to obtain all required Head Start health exams (TB screenings, physical exams and dental exams). When the family meets with a Head Start Family Service Professional (FSP) to complete an Enrollment Conference, the FSP will inquire about the family’s access to health insurance and determine any specific health care needs. After the family’s health insurance and medical home status is determined, appropriate referrals are given for health care. LCPS Head Start staff maintain a list of community health care providers and organizations that can provide services for free or for a reduced fee based on family income. If a family needs assistance in completing the required health documents, the FSP’s and the Health/Nutrition Coordinator are available to offer the needed assistance to the family. This personalized system ensures that families with high needs like those experiencing homelessness (identified as McKinney-Vento eligible) and English Learners are identified immediately and connected with needed resources to remove barriers for obtaining required screenings and exams. These families are tracked to offer additional services throughout their time in Head Start. The LCPS Head Start Health/Nutrition Coordinator reviews all incoming health/dental documents for validity and to identify any concerns that require additional action. Follow-up is completed with the family and/or the physician/dentist if more information is needed to complete 26 of 74 documents or if additional referrals are required. All health/dental information is entered into and tracked in the ChildPlus data management system. This system has the capability to notify the user when a health or dental examination is missing or close to expiration which allows the Health/Nutrition Coordinator to connect with the family to ensure timely completion of any necessary screenings or exams. The Health/Nutrition Coordinator ensures up-to-date child health status using an integrated multidisciplinary system. The Education Staff and the FSPs coordinate contacts with families to enquire about the child’s health needs throughout the school year during Parent/Teacher Conferences, Family Connection Classes, Goals Attainment Follow-Up, and Home Visits. The Health/Nutrition Coordinator uses ChildPlus to track open events that require follow-up. The Program Management and Systems Specialist performs a monthly audit of ChildPlus and routes an annotated report of any open events to the appropriate service area managers. In order to keep families up-to-date on a schedule of well child care following the Virginia Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) guidelines, reminders and blank forms are sent to families nearing the expiration of the physical or dental exam dates and individualized follow-up occurs as needed. The LCPS Head Start program currently uses two social-emotional curricula within the classroom to promote social and emotional well-being, Second Step and Conscious Discipline. Second Step is a violence prevention curriculum designed to build children’s social skills and self-esteem by giving them the tools to solve everyday problems. The lessons cover empathy training, impulse control and anger management. Children learn about feelings, how to solve problems, perform social skills, manage their anger and redirect it in a positive way. Conscious Discipline, a comprehensive social-emotional classroom management program, 27 of 74 organizes classrooms around the concept of a School Family. Each member of the family, both adult and child, learns the skills needed to successfully manage tasks such as forming relationships, communicating effectively and being sensitive to the needs of others. Aspects of the Conscious Discipline program that promote positive parenting skills are presented to families through Family Connection Classes and parenting seminars throughout the school year. During the enrollment process, FSPs develop a Family Partnership Agreement (FPA) with each family. This collaboration is done in-person and in the family’s primary language (with an interpreter when necessary) to ensure that families feel comfortable, and can understand, engage, and express any concerns or questions. The purpose of these conversations is to learn about the family, so they can be best supported by LCPS Head Start. The FPA consists of questions designed to assess family needs across all Family Outcomes measures of the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) framework. A list of community resources is distributed to every family that can be used to support the family’s basic needs and assist them in working toward their goals. The LCPS Head Start Mental Health Coordinator specifically discusses community resources available to support the social and emotional needs of children and families. All required health and mental health screenings are completed within 45 days of a student’s enrollment. Referrals for follow-up evaluations are made immediately for any students who do not pass these screenings. The LCPS Head Start Health/Nutrition Coordinator collaborates with the LCPS School Nutrition Services department to ensure meal service meets the nutritional needs of Head Start students. Menus are written by a Registered Dietician in the LCPS Nutrition Services office. Menus and a nutrition newsletter are shared with the families each month on the LCPS Head Start website and are posted in the classrooms. Substitutions are made for all students who have 28 of 74 dietary restrictions due to medical or religious reasons. Eligible families are referred to the local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for additional assistance with nutrition services. All enrolled children brush their teeth in the classroom once per day in conjunction with a meal. The Head Start Health/Nutrition Coordinator and the FSPs host multiple Resource Fairs throughout the school year where families are invited to attend and receive information from multiple community agencies and to receive free donated household items. Due to the disparity in needs across different areas of the county, the Resource Fairs are tailored to the geographic location in which they are held to more closely meet the family reported and agency identified needs of the children and families. The LCPS Head Start program, in collaboration with the Loudoun County Health Department, promotes a water initiative in all classrooms by teaching children the importance of drinking water by purchasing reusable water bottles for the teachers and students and promoting “Water Time” throughout the school day. The initiative began as a partnership with the Health Educator from the Loudoun County Health Department and a goal of increasing the amount of water the children consume during the day in an effort to reduce the high obesity rates. This collaborative water initiative has received statewide recognition in the Virginia “Rev Your Bev” program, the Virginia Head Start Association and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. • Plan for Observing Teacher Practice and Teacher-Child Interactions The LCPS Head Start program follows a comprehensive plan for observing teacher practice and teacher-child interactions that is overseen by the Head Start Supervisor. All Head Start staff participate in a goal-setting and evaluation process annually to monitor performance and ability to provide high-quality services. For the Education Staff, the purpose of Student Achievement Goal Setting is to explicitly connect teaching and learning. A central part of the 29 of 74 teacher evaluation process includes identifying student achievement goals and maintaining continuous dialogue on ways to support teaching practices. This process includes documentation of goals, strategies to achieve them, and evidence of the results. Each teacher annually identifies two goals, one in the social/emotional domain and one in language/literacy. The Head Start Supervisor conducts an initial goal-setting meeting with teachers in October to review their SMART goals, a mid-year review in February to assess progress, and a final summative review and evaluation in May. Prior to the final evaluation meeting, teachers complete a self-reflection form to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement per each standard of evaluation. This information is considered as part of the summative evaluation and discussed at the final evaluation meeting. Improvement of staff performance is a primary goal of an effective evaluation plan. The evaluation process provides a protocol to assist the Supervisor with decisions regarding staff performance and an opportunity to support employees with professional growth. This process is intended to promote constructive, continuous dialogue between employee and employer in an atmosphere of collegiality and mutual trust. The LCPS Head Start program uses the Classroom Assessment and Scoring System (CLASS) to assess classroom quality. The CLASS describes multiple dimensions of teaching that are linked to student achievement and development and can be used to reliably assess classroom quality for program evaluation. Effective interactions between teachers and students are essential for promoting long-term school success. The CLASS offers an evidence-based approach to defining and measuring effective interactions in school classrooms. Two members of the Head Start Management Team, the Education Coordinator and the Mental Health Coordinator, are Certified PreK CLASS Observers. CLASS observations are conducted in each classroom biannually, once in the fall and once in the spring. Following the observation, each teaching team 30 of 74 meets with the Head Start Supervisor to review the results and create a plan to enhance any areas with low scores to include the addition of professional development opportunities. Intensive Practice-Based Coaching and/or Mentoring is available for each classroom to assist the teachers in in improving their teacher-child interactions. The Management Team aligns program goals and school readiness goals with the Professional Development Plan. • Plan to Coordinate with Public and Private Entities The LCPS Head Start program will continue to coordinate with public and private entities to assist in providing child health and developmental services. Members of the LCPS Head Start Management Team participate in community health coalitions such as the LCPS School Health Advisory Board and the Early Intervention Community Partners. This allows LCPS Head Start to connect with organizations that are responsible for improving the health, nutrition, and socio- economic wellbeing of children and families and obtain the most current resources available to low-income children and families. Due to the close personal connections the LCPS Head Start Management Team fosters with the local community agencies, referrals for health, dental and developmental services can be made directly to agency representatives, when needed. The Head Start Health/Nutrition and Mental Health Coordinators co-facilitate the LCPS Head Start Health/Mental Health Advisory Committee which include representatives from local community agencies such as the Loudoun County Health Department, Partnership for Healthier Kids, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, NVFS Early Head Start, Aetna Better Health of VA, Child Find, Infant/Toddler Connection, and Therapeutic Alliance. The LCPS Head Start program will continue to plan and host multiple Resource Fairs each year to help families directly connect with local community agencies. In the 2018-2019 school year, 22 local agencies participated are invited to attend the Resource Fairs scheduled for 2019-2020. 31 of 74 • Plan to Facilitate Meaningful Engagement of Parents The LCPS Head Start Program engages parents/guardians in activities designed to help them become full partners in the education of their children. LCPS Head Start staff follows the philosophy that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Families are encouraged from the initial Enrollment Conference to share their knowledge about their child. The relationship building process starts with families from the moment of initial eligibility and is ongoing through regular follow-up per the Family Partnership Agreement, classroom volunteering, home visits, and Parent/Teacher Conferences. Each family is given a Home to Head Start Notepad at Orientation providing a template of types of information a parent might want to share with their child’s teacher. Parents are encouraged to connect with their child’s teacher and school staff if they would like to discuss anything regarding their child. At the first Education Home Visit, families choose at least one goal for the teachers to focus on at school as a home/school connection. Teachers offer at least one activity to go along with the chosen goal. Families learn about the LCPS Head Start School Readiness Goals at the first Home Visit and they are shown examples of “Head Start Homework” that will come home on a weekly basis that support the Head Start School Readiness Goals as well as the family goals. Progress of student goals is discussed at Parent/Teacher Conferences and parents are given the opportunity to make goal revisions. The LCPS Head Start Education Staff share results from student assessments and outcomes with parents during Parent/Teacher Conferences and Education Home Visits to help parents/guardians understand their child’s progress during Head Start. In order to foster their continued involvement in the education of their child into elementary school, the LCPS Family Service Staff hold a kindergarten transition meeting at each classroom in the spring to educate 32 of 74 families about kindergarten in Loudoun County and explain and how to register their child. Families are educated about processes in elementary schools and are encouraged to continue their active participation in their child’s education as they move to kindergarten. The LCPS Head Start program offers Family Connection Classes (FCCs) for families to attend at each LCPS Head Start class site. The purpose of the FCC is to increase parent engagement and enhance the parent-child relationship. The location of FCCs provides families the opportunity to connect with their child’s teacher, other Head Start families in their class and a Head Start FSP. During these meetings, families have the opportunity to learn about a topic (as selected by parent interest), ask questions about the program, request assistance for any needs, and express any concerns. Either before or after the meeting, families are invited to eat a meal with their child and are encouraged to participate as a classroom volunteer for the day. The LCPS Head Start Program has a strong long-lasting partnership with the Loudoun Literacy Council (LLC) to promote family engagement focused on literacy. An LLC representative visits Head Start classrooms monthly to read a featured book. These books are shared with families at Head Start Book Parties hosted by LLC throughout the school year. At a Head Start Book Party, families and students listen to a book reading, enjoy pizza, dessert, and an art activity that is representative of a character in the featured book. To support a home library, student and parents select from a variety of gently used books donated by LLC and are given a tip sheet on strategies to encourage families to read with their children. Books are available in different languages and interpreters are provided for families that do not speak English. Barriers to parent engagement most often include conflicting work schedules, cultural differences in the value placed on early education, and lack of transportation. 33 of 74 3. Past Performance The past performance of the LCPS Head Start program over the last 26 years as a Head Start grantee supports its ability to effectively administer a project of the size, complexity, and scope of this proposed program. The LCPS Head Start program received four program reviews from the Administration for Children and Families over the course of the current five-year grant cycle. Following are excerpts from the Environmental Health and Safety, Comprehensive Services/School Readiness and ERSEA reviews: ➢ “From 12/8/2015 to 12/9/2015, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducted an Environmental Health and Safety (EnvHS) review event for the Loudoun County School District Head Start program…Based on the information gathered, no area of noncompliance was found during the course of the review. Accordingly, no corrective action is required at this time.” ➢ “From 5/23/2016 to 5/25/2016, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducted a Comprehensive Services/School Readiness review event for the Loudoun County School District Head Start program…Based on the information gathered, no area of noncompliance was found during the course of the review. Accordingly, no corrective action is required at this time.” ➢ “From 3/13/2017 to 3/14/2017, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducted an ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) review event for the Loudoun County School District Head Start program…Based on the information gathered, no area of noncompliance was found during the course of the review. Accordingly, no corrective action is required at this time.”10 10 Administration for Children and Families, Overview of Findings Correspondence 34 of 74 • Professional Experience of the Proposed Management Team The LCPS Head Start Management Team can effectively administer a Head Start program of the scope proposed in this Funding Opportunity. This team has expertise in their respective service areas coupled with years of Head Start experience. All members of the Management Team intend to remain in their positions should Loudoun County Public Schools be awarded this Head Start Grant: ➢ Supervisor: Charisse Rosario, M.Ed. Education: M.Ed. Education Leadership; B.A. Speech Pathology/Audiology Licenses: Administrative & Supervision PreK through 12; ESL PreK through 12 Child Development Experience: Head Start Supervisor, 1.5 years; EL Dept.; 10 years Preschool Teacher; 3 years ➢ Program Management & Systems Specialist: Emily Hanlin, MSW Education: MSW Master of Social Work; B.A. Psychology Child Development Experience: LCPS Head Start Program Manager, 11 years; LCPS Head Start Mental Health Coordinator & Family Support, 8 years ➢ Education Coordinator: Richelle Newlin, M.Ed. Education: M.Ed. Early Childhood Education; B.A. Elementary Education Licenses: Postgraduate Professional License, PreK-8 Child Development Experience: Certified PreK CLASS Observer; LCPS Head Start Education Coord., 19 years; LCPS Head Start Teacher, 7 years ➢ Health/Nutrition Coordinator: Kristen Cadwell, RN Education: Registered Nurse Child Development Experience: LCPS Head Start Health/Nutrition Coord., 19 years; 35 of 74 Clinic Aid, 2 years ➢ Family/Community Partnership Coordinator: Brenda Sorto, MSW Education: MSW Master of Social Work; B.A. Global Affairs Child Development Experience: LCPS Head Start Family/Community Coord., 2 years ➢ Mental Health Coordinator: Daniel Savage, M.Ed. Education: M.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling; B.A. Psychology Child Development Experience: Certified PreK CLASS Observer; LCPS Head Start Mental Health Coord., 1.8 years; Day Treatment Counselor, In-Home Services; 1.5 years Prior to becoming the Supervisor for the LCPS Head Start Program, Ms. Rosario’s experience in education spanned 25 years from serving as a bilingual speech therapist in New York City Public Schools to obtaining certification as an EL Teacher in LCPS. Her expertise in Special Education and English Language Learners led to the position as Loudoun’s first EL Staff Development Trainer in which she managed, planned, and implemented professional development opportunities under Title III to ensure EL students are provided high caliber instructional support. Additionally, Ms. Rosario led research-based professional development opportunities for administrators and district level supervisors to build capacity for providing targeted instructional support for ELs. Ms. Rosario obtained a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and became the Coordinator to Loudoun’s first Welcome Center where she provided direction for services to include efficiently and effectively screening, identifying, and placing new English Language Learner students in LCPS. Additionally, Ms. Rosario ensured that parents and students were provided with information on the EL program to include rights and responsibilities, school, and community resources in an effort to support families at the start of their child’s educational journey. 36 of 74 The Program Management and Systems Specialist has worked for LCPS Head Start for 19 years and possesses a wealth of organizational history regarding the program and community trends in Loudoun, the fastest growing county in Virginia. Ms. Hanlin holds a master’s degree in Social Work and received intensive Conscious Discipline training. Ms. Hanlin has experience and expertise in writing federal grants and has received local recognition for conducting the comprehensive annual Community Assessment that is utilized by partner agencies. Ms. Hanlin has acute attention to detail and provides effective oversight for compliance with all Federal regulations in the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Head Start Act. The Education Coordinator has worked for LCPS Head Start since it’s start-up year in 1994. Ms. Newlin holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and worked for seven years as the lead teacher in a Head Start classroom. She then transitioned to become the Education Coordinator, a position in which she has remained for the past 19 years. Ms. Newlin has continued her personal professional development to become a certified CLASS Observer for 9 years, HighScope Trainer for 11 years, a Practice Based Coach and has received intensive Conscious Discipline training. Ms. Newlin has also taught college level courses in Early Childhood Education at Lord Fairfax Community College. Ms. Newlin stays abreast of current Early Education trends and has presented various topics at regional conferences for the Virginia Head Start Association and the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children. The Health/Nutrition Coordinator joined the LCPS Head Start program during the 2001- 2002 school year. Ms. Cadwell is a Registered Nurse and, prior to Head Start, worked as a Clinic Aid at a local LCPS elementary school. Ms. Cadwell has been at the forefront of community efforts to reduce childhood obesity through a partnership to encourage drinking water in place of sugary beverages. This Water Initiative has gained notice in the Virginia Head Start Association 37 of 74 and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. Other Head Start programs have implemented water initiatives based on the model used by the LCPS Head Start program. Ms. Cadwell is a certified CPR/First Aid/AED instructor and provides training for CPR/First Aid/AED certification to the staff. Ms. Cadwell also provides medication administration training to the Education Staff. Ms. Cadwell conducts vision and hearing screenings for every enrolled student. Ms. Cadwell has built partnerships with several community agencies, such as Lions Club, Loudoun County Health Department, and Healthworks. Ms. Cadwell has presented various health topics at regional conferences for the Virginia Head Start Association. The Mental Health Coordinator holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Mr. Savage joined Head Start in 2018 and previously worked as a mental health professional and therapeutic day treatment counselor at a middle school. Mr. Savage also worked at a psychiatric hospital on the child, adults and geriatric units. Mr. Savage provided services for children diagnosed through the DSM V within the child’s home. Services were geared toward stabilizing the child’s mental health and providing support for the family. As a therapeutic day treatment counselor, Mr. Savage worked at a middle school where he provided services for at risk students. He also worked as a therapeutic mentor for children struggling with their mental health. Mr. Savage has obtained professional development to become a certified CLASS Observer, a Practice Based Coach and has received intensive Conscious Discipline training to support students and teachers alongside the Head Start Education Coordinator. Mr. Savage is dedicated to providing LCPS Head Start students, families, and staff with mental health support within the community. The Family and Community Partnership Coordinator joined Head Start in 2017 and holds a master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sorto’s fluency in English and Spanish allows her to 38 of 74 connect with families directly in their native language. Ms. Sorto focuses on the program’s service delivery model and access to services in assisting families in meeting their needs, specifically targeting families in crisis. Ms. Sorto also works on strengthening parent and family relationships through parenting classes, financial literacy workshops, resource fairs, and other family engagement events. Through her time with LCPS Head Start, Ms. Sorto has transformed service delivery to families by revising the Family Partnership Agreement process and the Scaled Family Assessment Tool used to assess family outcomes in addition to creating a comprehensive family database to record risk factors and needs by school, community, and across the program as a whole. • Ability to Provide Effective Financial Management The LCPS Head Start staff provide effective financial management in operating the program. Federal Head Start funds and the local non-federal match are budgeted to provide all required comprehensive services to eligible children and families in a cost-effective manner. Expenditures are monitored by staff, the Policy Council and the LCPS School Board to maintain even spending within the forecasted cash needs as outlined in the Head Start Enterprise System. Oversight of all aspects of the financial management system is performed by the LCPS Business and Finance Department. The LCPS Head Start program follows every procedure in place for the safety of all school system funds. The LCPS Head Start program’s financial reporting is accurate, current and complete. The Chief Financial Officer, an LCPS Accountant who has been assigned to the grant, ensures this standard is maintained by using the school system’s accounting program, Oracle, as the control. Accounting records contain information relevant to the grant and include authorizations, obligations, un-obligated balances, assets, liabilities, expenditures and income. Internal controls 39 of 74 are in place throughout the department. Inventories are available which describe LCPS Head Start property and are reviewed annually. Actual expenditures are compared with budgeted amounts monthly. Review is made of cost principles prior to making a purchase. LCPS Head Start staff and the CFO designed a Chart of Accounts based on the Line Item Budget in this Funding Opportunity application. It makes clear what expenses are allowable (the item to be purchased must be necessary and reasonable for the efficient operation of the program). The financial team reviews for reasonableness (a prudent person would consider the cost to be reasonable) as does the LCPS Purchasing Department. The controls in place ensure that approved vendors and sole source purchases are acceptable. If the expense meets the first two standards, it is then allocated into the correct sub-object based on available funds. The LCPS Accounting Department oversees current account balances. All expenditures are processed only with complete source documentation attached. Disbursements occur by the Grantee and then requests are made to transfer funds from the Department of Payment Management into the County of Loudoun account. Payroll is monitored by the LCPS Payroll Department. They receive leave reports for all contracted employees and process over-time and part-time which is clarified in memo format. • Designation Renewal System: Low CLASS Score The Office of Head Start conducted an onsite CLASS review from 3/8/2016 to 3/10/2016. Observations were conducted in preschool center-based classrooms using the Pre-K Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). The CLASS tool looks at three domains and ten dimensions of teacher-child interactions and measures those observed interactions on a seven-point scale. The LCPS Head Start program scored well in the Domains of Emotional Support and Classroom Organization with scores falling in the high middle range “5 - the middle 40 of 74 range description of the CLASS dimension mostly fits the classroom and/or teacher, but there are one or two indicators in the high range.” For the Domain of Instructional Support, however, LCPS Head Start received a score of 1.8889, triggering the lowest 10% Designation Renewal. ➢ March 2016: ACF CLASS Review – Low Instructional Support11 DOMAIN Score National Average 2016 Emotional Support 5.6667 6.0 Classroom Organization 5.5000 5.73 Instructional Support 1.8889 2.8 Upon receipt of these scores from the Administration for Children and Families, the LCPS Head Start Management Team immediately began work to create a Quality Improvement Plan designed to enhance teacher-student interactions and correct this noted area of deficiency. Changes were made to the Professional Development Plan to include additional opportunities for the Education Staff to learn practical ways to improve the quality of their instruction and interactions to promote positive academic and social outcomes for children over the course of the 2016-2017 school year. Following implementation of this year-long Professional Development Plan, the LCPS Head Start Supervisor contracted an independent CLASS Observer to visit each of the six classrooms in December 2017 to conduct a full-length CLASS observation. The Supervisor reviewed the CLASS results and met with each teaching team to provide feedback on their areas of strength as well as their opportunities for growth. Each teaching team selected a joint goal for improvement and support provided through mentoring and coaching. In addition to individualized support, programmatically, the LCPS Head Start Education Coordinator provided 11 Administration for Children and Families, Overview of Findings Correspondence 41 of 74 Professional Development to the teaching teams based on the overall program results. The Professional Development Plan was modified to support trainings included in the Quality Improvement Plan. The results from the independent CLASS review showed improvement across all domains and the previous area of deficiency, Instructional Support, rose above the national average at the time. The leadership of the Head Start Management Team was successful in modifying program systems to achieve the desired result. ➢ December 2017: Independent CLASS Review12 DOMAIN LCPS Head Start Program National Average 2016 Emotional Support 5.77 6.0 Classroom Organization 5.60 5.73 Instructional Support 3.42 2.8 Based on review of the new CLASS data, each teaching team identified a new goal in the Instructional Support domain as an area of focus for additional growth. Ongoing Professional Development surrounding CLASS has been offered to support teacher-child interactions. The LCPS Head Start program recently completed the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) process with Virginia Quality. This process is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early education programs such as Head Start. As a part of this process, another independent CLASS Observer conducted reviews of all six LCPS Head Start classrooms and received the following results: 12 Andrea Sobel, Independent Certified CLASS Observer 42 of 74 ➢ April-May 2019: Virginia Quality QRIS CLASS Review13 DOMAIN LCPS Head Start Program National Average 2018 Emotional Support 5.92 6.08 Classroom Organization 5.99 5.80 Instructional Support 4.74 2.96 Ongoing Professional development will continue to further improve teacher-child interactions. The deficiency identified in 2016 was successfully corrected, which is further evidence of the Management Team’s ability to provide a high-quality program of its size and scope. • History of Full Enrollment The LCPS Head Start program has not experienced any periods of under-enrollment in its 26-year history as a grantee. The LCPS Head Start program maintains full enrollment following the guidelines in the Head Start Program Performance Standards while maintaining a Waiting List should any vacancies occur throughout the school year. 4. Staffing and Supporting a Strong Early Learning Workforce The LCPS Head Start Management Team has the ability to meet the required qualifications to administer a Head Start program including complex social service and early education services as noted in Section 3 - Past Performance. The LCPS Head Start program has a management structure that provides effective management and oversight of all program areas and fiduciary responsibilities to maintain a high-quality program geared toward achieving program goals. All service area managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations specified in the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Head Start Act. 13 Virginia Quality, Virginia Department of Social Services 43 of 74 Each Manager maintains Service Area Plans for their respective department to guide service delivery. These plans include a column for the regulation, action plan, responsible party, date, and documentation of completion. These plans are reviewed annually and revised as needed following the completion of the Program Information Report (PIR) and the Community Assessment to allow for changes to service delivery based on community data. The LCPS Head Start management system includes regularly scheduled oversight of all areas of the program. Key features of the management system include: compiling the quarterly Ongoing Monitoring Report, conducting regularly scheduled Health and Safety Checklists, and a thorough review of CLASS observation scores, COR data, ChildPlus monthly audits, family goals attainment follow up, annual Self-Assessment data, Community Assessment data and Education Self-Assessment data. Data listed is analyzed, aggregated and discussed at the Management Team’s monthly Data Management meetings to direct program goals, policies, and procedures and determine if course corrections are needed. The Management Team also meets monthly to share service area updates, debrief regarding program oversight and discuss any areas that require action. The Management Team also provide the Education Staff opportunities that promote effective teaching which include Practice-Based Coaching (in education or social-emotional areas) as well as regularly scheduled Professional Development opportunities that address specific knowledge and skill development targeted to improving teacher performance, meeting educational goals and meeting the program’s school readiness goals. Approaches that promote effective health and safety practices include the completion of a Health and Safety Checklist in each classroom five times per year. If any concern is noted from this checklist, it is corrected immediately if possible, or, if the concern requires maintenance from the LCPS Facilities 44 of 74 Services Department, a work order is placed to have the concern corrected. In addition, the Education Staff conduct a premises check on a daily basis, which includes the indoor and outdoor premises, and complete a Daily Health Check on each student every day. Any immediate concerns are addressed by the staff in the classroom’s home school and/or by a LCPS Head Start Coordinator. In August or September, the Education Staff is trained in CPR, First Aid, AED, Medication Administration, Bloodborne Pathogens, CPS reporting, and safety practices in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and LCPS policies. • Plan to Attract and Retain Qualified Staff The LCPS Head Start program engages in a collaborative plan with the Loudoun County Public Schools Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD) Department to attract and retain qualified staff with the ability to implement a high-quality program. The LCPS Head Start program is currently fully staffed with individuals who have the necessary knowledge and skills to thoughtfully plan and provide high-quality services in their respective service areas (please refer to staff Job Descriptions and Resumes for details regarding qualifications). Should LCPS Head Start have a future vacancy, HRTD will assign a Hiring Specialist to collaborate with the LCPS Head Start Supervisor on plans to attract highly qualified staff. The Head Start Supervisor has access as a Hiring Manager to the iRecuitment portal to review resumes and contact qualified candidates. The Head Start Supervisor writes job descriptions for Head Start vacancy postings to ensure job qualifications and responsibilities are appropriately advertised. The strong collaboration between the HRTD hiring department and Head Start Supervisor has, and will continue, to result in maintaining a highly qualified Head Start staff. To support new staff, the Head Start Program partners with HRTD’s Mentoring and Coaching program whose mission is to support, empower, and retain teachers who positively impact student learning and 45 of 74 development. The Head Start Supervisor assigns the Head Start Education Coordinator as a mentor and an instructional coach for new teachers. New Head Start teachers are provided one- to-one support in the following areas: accessing curriculum and resources, planning purposeful and engaging lessons aligned with program initiatives, and establishing classroom community, routines, and procedures. HRTD hosts regular recruitment events which are utilized by the LCPS Head Start Supervisor to screen potential candidates. • Professional Development Opportunities The LCPS Head Start program follows a comprehensive Professional Development Plan to provide career development opportunities for all staff. This Professional Development Plan is aligned with the school readiness goals and program goals in order to provide opportunities for growth that simultaneously enhance the skills of the students served. Recent changes to the Professional Development plan include review of results of the school readiness goals, CLASS results, and program goals to determine the Training and Technical Assistance Professional Development Plan. For the 2019-2020 school year, there will be a focus on the implementation of intensive Practiced Based Coaching for the Education Staff in the areas of literacy and social emotional development. With the hiring of new teaching staff, the LCPS Head Start Management Team identified the need for more in-depth HighScope curriculum training (beyond that which was provided prior to the start of school), which has been planned for teachers and assistants throughout the course of the school year on Professional Development days. Planned classroom walkthroughs and teacher feedback meetings regarding focused areas of curriculum implementation are conducted to ensure fidelity and that teacher learning needs are continuously met. Review of the family needs assessment and student Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) determines areas of training and coaching to support student resilience in self- 46 of 74 regulation, student initiative, and attachments/relationships. It is the philosophy of the LCPS Head Start program that students must first be supported in the area of social and emotional needs to gain their optimal educational outcome. Curriculum fidelity, how closely a curriculum is implemented as designed, is critical to ensure positive child outcomes and achieving school readiness goals. The LCPS Head Start Education Staff implement the chosen curriculum, HighScope, with a high level of fidelity. Professional development opportunities are provided for the Education Staff to learn and/or enhance their knowledge of the HighScope curriculum throughout the school year. Evidence of curriculum fidelity can be seen by the Education Staff’s focus on the specific individualized goals identified in the lesson plans; differentiation of instruction and learning goals based on formative assessment; children engaged in child-guided experiences based on the curriculum’s recommendations for these experiences; and the Education Staff following the Daily Routine and using all the recommended structures, systems and materials. To ensure the Head Start Coordinators remain skilled and knowledgeable in their respective service areas, attendance at annual trainings is required by the Head Start Supervisor. As such, the Health/Nutrition Coordinator and Mental Health Coordinator attend the annual Virginia Head Start Association (VAHSA) Health and Family Institute and the annual VAHSA conference, the Education Coordinator attends HighScope and VAHSA, the Family and Community Partnership Coordinator attend Parent, Family and Community Engagement (PFCE) training and VAHSA, and the Supervisor and Program Manager attend the VAHSA Director’s Council. Coordinators may request funding to attend additional trainings to meet emerging needs identified through the PIR or the annual Community Assessment. During the 2018-2019 school year, such trainings included Trauma-Informed Care, Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health, 47 of 74 and participation in the Head Start PFCE Academy. Additionally, the LCPS Head Start program contracts with professional presenters to provide training to the entire staff on a county-wide professional development day. Through local partnerships, Head Start staff are often able to coordinate training with other LCPS departments or local agencies to share the training costs. • Plan to Evaluate Staff The LCPS Head Start program hired the current Supervisor in April 2018. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, the Head Start Supervisor, with support from the Management Team, initiated a plan to review and revise all program management systems with a reflective lens to ensure the placement of students and families first. This process required input from all staff, including long-term staff, to determine existing job descriptions and responsibilities and to assess appropriateness of assignments based on level of knowledge and expertise in their roles. This process resulted in an update of job descriptions and a reassignment of roles to ensure staff are capable of implementing a high-quality, comprehensive program. The LCPS Head Start program staff will continue to follow the Recruitment Plan detailed above to evaluate job applicants should a position become vacant. All staff participate in an annual evaluation process with the Supervisor which includes determining SMART goals related to their service area in October, receiving two observations, a mid-term goal evaluation meeting to monitor status and progress, and a final Evaluation in May. This continuous process allows for ongoing feedback and reassignment of responsibilities to best meet the needs of the children and families served. 5. Planning and Implementation • Timely Provision of Services & Meeting Local Licensing Requirements The LCPS Head Start program operates within the division of the Loudoun County Public School system and, as such, meets all state and local licensing requirements for the 48 of 74 proposed age groups to be served. Loudoun County Public Schools currently provides Head Start services in six classrooms located throughout the county. All six LCPS Head Start classrooms received a certificate of Level 3 from Virginia Quality (QRIS) on 1/21/19 verifying that they are “in good standing with regulatory or licensing standards; employ staff with formal education in early childhood education; implement a best-practice curriculum or other teaching approach aligned with Virginia’s Early Learning Guidelines; conduct classroom self-assessment; and participate in ongoing professional development in accordance with Virginia Quality's Standards.”14 Should this Funding Opportunity be awarded, the LCPS Head Start program proposes to continue offering services out of the same six classrooms, therefore, there will be no impact on the proposed implementation plan for the timely provision of services. Four Head Start classrooms are located within high schools in collaboration with the LCPS Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education or child care. These programs offer unique benefits to the Head Start students as well as the high school students in a collaborative learning environment. The two classrooms in the geographic areas of greatest need offer services five days a week for six and a half hours a day. The remaining two high school-based classrooms provide services five days a week for four hours a day. The two classes located in elementary schools also follow this part- time schedule. No construction, renovation or adaptation of space is required to continue offering Head Start services in the existing sites. The LCPS Head Start program is fully staffed and fully enrolled for the 2019-2020 school year with a Waiting List for each class site. With this Funding Opportunity, Loudoun 14 Virginia Quality Certificate of Quality: 1/21/2019-1/21/2020 49 of 74 County Public Schools proposes to continue offering Head Start services with the current staff in the six class locations. LCPS does not require or request any start-up funds and there will be no delay in service provision for the 2020-2021 school year should this Funding Opportunity be awarded. No new facilities will be required, and all current facilities will remain fully operational with no disruption in service delivery. • The Ability to Recruit, Hire and Train Qualified Staff The LCPS Head Start program engages in a collaborative partnership with the LCPS Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD) Department to recruit and hire qualified staff. The LCPS Head Start program is currently fully staffed with a highly qualified diverse school and office staff that reflect student racial and language backgrounds. Languages other than English spoken by Head Start staff include: Spanish, French, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi. When a staff vacancy occurs, the LCPS Head Start Supervisor posts the available job through the LCPS HRTD Department. This posting is listed on the LCPS iRecruitment website to reach an expansive audience. Applicants are prescreened by HRTD to ensure they meet the qualifications required for the position. The LCPS Head Start Supervisor and Program Manager, in collaboration with the appropriate service area manager, can then view the qualified applicants’ resumes and letters of interest to determine the interview schedule. For the hire of key program staff, including the Supervisor, the employment committee also includes a member of the Policy Council. All applicants answer a standard set of questions tailored to the particular position for which they are applying. Applicants are rated using a qualification rubric and assigned a score. The most qualified applicants will be submitted to HRTD for all required reference and background checks. Applicants will be only be offered a position after meeting all requirements. Once hired, each staff member will attend an orientation training with the LCPS 50 of 74 Employee Benefits Department. LCPS offers a variety of benefits to meet the diverse needs of employees such as the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) retirement pension plan, life insurance, health insurance, flexible spending accounts, tax deferred programs and long-term care insurance. All LCPS Head Start positions, including part-time positions, offer access to full benefits. The staff member will then receive position specific training from the appropriate members of the Management Team. Staff hired prior to the beginning of a new school year attend professional development days with all program staff. For staff hired during the course of the school year, all necessary training will occur one-on-one with the appropriate LCPS Head Start staff members prior to assuming the responsibilities of the position. All trainings and agreements required by the Head Start Act and the Head Start Program Performance Standards will be conducted prior to contact with students and families. The LCPS Head Start program follows a comprehensive Training and Technical Assistance Professional Development Plan to ensure compliance with all regulations. Positions with the LCPS Head Start program are attractive to highly qualified applicants due to the competitive salary scales and benefit packages offered by the Loudoun County Public Schools. 6. Organizational Capacity and Governance • Governing Body: LCPS School Board The Governing Body for the LCPS Head Start program is the School Board for Loudoun County Public Schools, which consists of nine elected members. Since the Governing Body members oversee a public entity and are selected to their positions by public election, it meets the composition exception in section 642(c)(1)(B)(v) of the Head Start Act. Nonetheless, the members of the LCPS School Board are highly qualified with background and expertise in all areas required for Governing Bodies that do not meet the exception including business finance, 51 of 74 early childhood education, and law (licensed practicing attorney). Members of the School Board have the capacity to exercise effective oversight of program operations and accountability for federal funds. No changes to the current governance structure are necessary to meet the requirements in the Head Start Act. The Governing Body consists of the following individuals: ➢ Jeff Morse, Chairman: MS Business Finance; MA National Security & Strategic Studies; Lead associate for Booz Allen Hamilton supporting the federal government in managing and procuring technology and services, Department of Defense acquisition professional, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III program manager, a Project Management Institute certified project management professional ➢ Brenda Sheridan, Vice-Chair: BS Criminal Justice; Security Analyst; LCPS substitute teacher from 2004 to 2011; Forest Grove Elementary Substitute of the Year 2006-2007 ➢ Debbie Rose: BA Political Science, J.D. Law Degree; Counsel on the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary ➢ Eric Hornberger: BA History/Political Science, MA in International Affairs; Executive Director of the Mustard Seed Foundation supervising an international staff team, and managing a variety of giving programs; Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, West Africa ➢ Beth Huck: Early Childhood Education; Event Manager for a government contractor working on some new and innovative events to help government entities with market research and creative problem solving ➢ Jill Turgeon: MA Education; Former Second Grade Teacher for LCPS, Organizer of Women for a Constitutional America, Ashburn Library Advisory Board member ➢ Chris Croll: BS Communications, Master of Professional Studies in Interactive Telecommunications; 25 years in marketing 52 of 74 ➢ Joy Maloney: BS Secondary Education Mathematics, MS in Educational Leadership; Working in the information technology field for over 20 years ➢ Tom Marshall: BA European History, M.Ed. Counseling Education, MA Communication; Realtor, teacher, guidance counselor and administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools for over 20 years, Peace Corps Volunteer for two years in Philippines In accordance with Head Start regulations, LCPS Head Start staff provide training and technical assistance to ensure that the members of the Governing Body understand the information they receive and can effectively oversee and participate in the LCPS Head Start program following a Training Plan for Shared Governance. This document details all necessary trainings and includes a list of program policies and procedures requiring Policy Council and School Board input and approval in a month-by-month format. Additional trainings may be added as they become necessary throughout the school year. LCPS Head Start staff have found that providing training in smaller segments about timely and relevant topics was preferred by new Policy Council and School Board members for gaining an understanding of any issues at hand requiring deliberation. This Training Plan is reviewed annually after the seating of the new Policy Council and is then submitted to the School Board for their review. Trainings are provided electronically and/or in-person during regularly scheduled School Board meetings. All School Board members are invited to attend regular Policy Council meetings to receive training alongside Policy Council representatives. As this option is not possible for many School Board members, they receive a monthly Shared Governance Training Packet covering the material provided to the Policy Council. Whenever information must be presented to the School Board for their deliberation or review, LCPS Head Start staff create and Information Item and submit all materials to the Board for their review ten days prior to their scheduled meeting. This item will 53 of 74 be discussed during the meeting then set aside to be placed on the Consent Agenda at the following School Board meeting allowing sufficient time for research and resolution of any questions. LCPS Head Start staff, in collaboration with the LCPS Department of Instruction, give an annual presentation to the School Board as a year in review to provide global oversight of the program. All topics covered in this annual presentation are discussed and voted for approval. • Policy Council’s Role in Planning and Decision-Making The Policy Council is the official forum for Head Start parent participation in developing policies and planning for the LCPS Head Start Program. The purpose of the Policy Council is to share governance responsibilities for the LCPS Head Start Program (as specified in 45 CFR Part 1301.3 and the Head Start Act - Public Law 110-134, Section 642) with the LCPS School Board which serves as the Governing Body and to participate in the planning and decision-making process. The Policy Council is responsible for the direction of the LCPS Head Start Program, including program design and operation and long-and short-term planning goals and objectives, using data from the annual communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment and Self- Assessment. The Policy Council uses data to identify program strengths and needs, develop and implement plans that address program needs, and continually evaluate compliance with program performance standards and progress toward achieving program goals. The Policy Council approves and submits to the LCPS School Board decisions about each of the following activities: activities to support the active involvement of parents in supporting program operations, including policies to ensure the LCPS Head Start program is responsive to community and parent needs; program recruitment, selection, and enrollment priorities (ERSEA); applications for funding and amendments to applications for funding prior to submission to the School Board; budget planning for program expenditures, including policies for reimbursement and 54 of 74 participation in Policy Council activities; Policy Council Bylaws; program personnel policies and decisions regarding the employment of program staff, including standards of conduct for program staff, contractors, and volunteers and criteria for the employment and dismissal of program staff; development of procedures for how members of Policy Council will be elected; jointly establish written procedures for resolving internal disputes between the governing board and council in a timely manner that include impasse procedures; program procedures on data management in areas such as quality of data and effective use and sharing of data, while protecting the privacy of child records prior to submission to the School Board; program goals and measurable objectives in collaboration with the School Board; and collaborate with the School Board, program staff, and parents of enrolled children when conducting the annual Self- Assessment. The composition of the Policy Council is made up of two categories of membership; Parent Representatives and Community Representatives. Parent Representatives are parents or legal guardians of the children currently enrolled in LCPS Head Start. Membership of the Policy Council consist of at least fifty-one percent Parent Representatives (in relation to Community Representatives). Community Representatives include members at large of the community that represent public and/or private organizations responsible for improving the educational opportunities, health, nutrition, and socio-economic wellbeing of children and families, and are familiar with resources and services for low-income children and families. There are two types of Community Representatives: parents of children previously enrolled in the program, and staff from local organizations. Policy Council Parent Representatives are elected from each Head Start class during the October Parent Committee meetings, and at future Parent Committee meetings as needed. Each 55 of 74 class elects two Policy Council Representatives, for a total of twelve. Regular meetings are held monthly (except July and December) at a time determined by the membership. The Policy Council conducts special meetings called at the request of the Chairperson, two or more Policy Council members, or the Supervisor. During the meetings, all members of Policy Council actively participate. Members are kept informed of the Policy Council's purpose, plans and progress, and are reminded of the rights of other members to express their opinions, consider all information and points of view before voting and accept and support the final decision of the majority of the Policy Council. Appropriate training and technical assistance is provided to the members of the Policy Council to ensure that they understand the information they receive and can effectively oversee and participate in the LCPS Head Start Program following the Training Plan for Shared Governance. • Representation of a Diverse Community Each Head Start classroom is represented by two Parent Representatives to Policy Council. These representatives are elected by the parents/guardians of currently enrolled Head Start students in their child’s class. The LCPS Head Start program serves a diverse group of children and families. The population demographics differ across the county. The eastern part of the county is highly developed, and families enrolled in the Sterling area classes are predominantly Hispanic and 86% are experiencing homelessness. Central Loudoun is home to families with wider diversity whose primary languages include Arabic, French, Urdu and Chinese in addition to English or Spanish and have a homelessness rate of 74%. Families in Western Loudoun predominantly speak English as a primary language and only 50% are experiencing homelessness. Electing two Parent Representatives from each class by the parents/guardians from that class ensures that Policy Council representation reflects the diverse 56 of 74 community that the LCPS Head Start program serves. The Head Start philosophy is one of partnership with parents. Parents are seen as the first and most important teachers of their children and are involved in all aspects of the program. The LCPS Head Start program recognizes the crucial role of the Policy Council, and the Governing Body, to set and monitor agency priorities and operational systems. The LCPS Head Start Supervisor, Ms. Rosario, requested and received intensive training with a Head Start Grantee Specialist upon hire in order to thoroughly understand the Head Start model of service delivery and to equip herself with the necessary skills to provide guidance for a high-quality program. Through this process, Ms. Rosario identified the Policy Council as an area for improvement in the 2018-2019 school year. In collaboration with the Management Team and the existing Policy Council, the Policy Council Bylaws were revised as was the Training Plan for Shared Governance which details the training and technical assistance that will be provided to the Policy Council and the Governing Body necessary for their oversight of the program. The new model for Policy Council ensures the parents of enrolled students from all classrooms have an equal opportunity to impact the direction of the program. Parent Committees and Policy Council Parent Representatives have a monthly structured time to share ideas for true two-way communication and to ensure all parents have a voice in the LCPS Head Start program. Examples of Policy Council impact include: redesign of the ERSEA system to enhance sensitivity to families (placing children and families first at all times), updating the Selection Criteria to reflect emerging needs of the community, increasing from four to five days a week in the four part-time classrooms without additional federal funding, and selecting which project to propose for a supplemental funding grant. As the Governing Body, the LCPS School Board assigned a member as the Policy Council liaison due to her background in Early Childhood Education. All 57 of 74 School Board members are invited to attend Policy Council meetings and all Policy Council members are informed of regular School Board meetings and members attend as they are able. • Community Assessment, Program Self-Assessment and Ongoing Monitoring The LCPS Head Start program conducts a community wide strategic planning and needs assessment annually. The goal of the Community Assessment is to identify the strengths, needs and resources of Loudoun County, Virginia and those of Head Start eligible families and children living in the community in order to design a program that meets community needs and builds on its strengths and resources. The results from the assessment are used to guide program goals and to inform decisions about program plans and service delivery. This assessment is conducted by LCPS Head Start staff in collaboration with the Policy Council, Parent Committees and community representatives from various public and private groups that provide services for children and families in Loudoun County. Information is gathered from national and local sources. The assessment provides an overview of the grantee service area and population demographics (including information regarding children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and children with disabilities), the education, health, nutrition and social service needs of eligible children and their families, other child development centers that serve eligible children, resources that are available in the community to address the needs of eligible children and their families and strengths of the community. Results from the Community Assessment are shared with the Policy Council and the Governing Body. The Self-Assessment process for LCPS Head Start is completed in two phases over the course of each school year. Phase One, measuring the effectiveness in implementing Federal Regulations, takes place throughout each school year and includes: Service Area Plan review and revision, Transportation Services Checklists, Health and Safety Checklists, Fiscal Management 58 of 74 Reviews, Class File Checklists, CLASS observations, review of records for all students, data collection for the Community Assessment and the Program Information Report (PIR), Family Services File Audits, Education Staff Self-Assessment meeting and maintaining an ongoing list of program improvements. Phase Two, measuring the effectiveness in meeting program goals and objectives, takes place annually in the spring. LCPS Head Start engages program staff, teachers, parents, Policy Council, Governing Body members and community partners to form a Self-Assessment Team. This team meets to review progress on program goals and to determine if resources are used effectively. The team also determines program strengths and looks for areas of improvement and innovation. The Management Team explains the difference between ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance and self-assessment to support accountability and effective use of resources. During the annual Self-Assessment, the team is tasked with revisiting the program’s Mission and Vision, analyzing data, engaging in dialogue with team members to ensure that everyone has a voice at the table to share their unique perspectives and making recommendations for the program to further improve services for enrolled children and families. The culmination of this process is the creation of the Self-Assessment Report which summarizes the methodology, key insights, progress in meeting program goals and recommendations from the Self-Assessment Team. Once completed, this report is submitted for approval by the Policy Council and the Governing Body. The LCPS Head Start program follows a process of ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement for achieving program goals to ensure child safety and the delivery of effective, high-quality program services. In order to ensure effective ongoing oversight and correction, LCPS Head Start conducts formal Ongoing Monitoring quarterly during regularly scheduled Management Team meetings. This system includes oversight of the following service areas: 59 of 74 program governance/leadership, management systems, fiscal systems, environmental health and safety, ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance), school readiness/CLASS and comprehensive service provision. The Management Team analyze data sources for each area and note areas of strength and/or areas of concern. Action Plans are then created with specific staff responsibilities and timelines to correct any areas of concern and/or enhance and expand any areas of strength whenever possible. The quarterly ongoing monitoring results are shared with the Policy Council and the Governing Body. • Management Systems Service delivery in the LCPS Head Start program is guided by a strong Management Team that consists of the Head Start Director, Program Management and Systems Specialist, Education Coordinator, Health/Nutrition Coordinator, Family and Community Partnership Coordinator and the Mental Health Coordinator. Each member of this team holds a minimum of a master’s degree in their respective service area. The Management Team meets biweekly for program planning, self-assessment and monitoring following two different meeting formats. During the Management Team Meeting, the managers begin by reviewing the Mission of the group, the Norms of Collaboration (such as putting ideas on the table, pausing and probing for specificity) and the Working Agreements (such as instilling reflective practice and starting/ending on time). Topics for discussion and review are included in one of the following sections: Updates, Discussion Items, Action Items, Service Area Updates and Reminders. Follow-up occurs from any outstanding areas of concern noted through the Ongoing Monitoring process. During Data Management Meetings, the Management Team focuses on program data across service areas to ensure that service delivery and program options are meeting the needs of the children, families and community. Each service area manager provides data for the group to 60 of 74 analyze and assess for effectiveness of service delivery. Course corrections are made in any areas that the data show are not providing the intended results. This management system anchored by regular Management Team meetings allows for data-driven comprehensive oversight of program planning, internal and external communication, recordkeeping systems, the issuance of all internal and external reports, program self-assessment and ongoing monitoring. 7. Budget and Budget Justification • Distinguishing Operating Funds The LCPS Head Start program maintains careful oversight of all program funds to include federal base operating funds, federal Training and Technical Assistance funds, and the local non-federal share contributed by the Loudoun County Public Schools. All base federal funds, Training and Technical Assistance funds, and funds from the non-federal share are listed as separate columns on the LCPS Head Start Budget to accurately distinguish funding sources. All program spending for operations and maintenance are identified with unique sub-object codes identified on the LCPS Head Start Chart of Accounts and entered into the Oracle Database System to be charged to the Head Start grant for payment. A predetermined annual amount, determined in collaboration with the Policy Council and the Governing Body, is budgeted to cover program operations. The remaining federal funds are expended on personnel. All personnel services are identified for payment through a combination of federal and local non-federal funds. LCPS Head Start staff also show allocation of federal and non-federal funding on the Budget Projection Application by staff member to include all employee benefits. All proposed budgets are discussed and approved by the Policy Council and the LCPS School Board annually. • Start-Up/Pre-Award Cost The LCPS Head Start program does not require start-up or pre-award funding to continue providing Head Start services in Loudoun County should this Funding Opportunity be awarded. 61 of 74 • Aligning Costs with Proposed Staffing Structure As employees of Loudoun County Public Schools, all Head Start staff receive a salary or wages that are competitive with school systems in other nearby jurisdictions. All Head Start staff are offered optional benefits that include group health, life, dental and vision insurance. The competitive pay structure and strong benefits package attracts highly qualify staff. Meeting the required amounts for payroll would not be possible without the generous support of Loudoun County Public Schools. Over the 26-year history as a Head Start grantee, LCPS has consistently contributed a non-federal share that exceeds the required 20% match. This financial support allows LCPS Head Start to staff all positions with highly qualified individuals. Each member of the Management Team holds a minimum of a master’s degree in their respective service area and the Education Staff all hold certifications or degrees in Early Childhood Education. The LCPS Head Start program proposes to maintain the current staffing structure to continue offering high quality services to children and families in Loudoun County. The budget projection allocates appropriate costs to support the staffing structure proposed with this Funding Opportunity. ➢ Early Childhood Education Degree by Position CDA Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Teacher 0 0 3 3 Teacher Assistant 3 2 1 0 • Ensuring the Maximum Number of Eligible Children are Served The LCPS Head Start program currently receives non-federal share from Loudoun County Public Schools in excess of the required 20% minimum. The amount of non-federal share required to provide Head Start services has steadily increased since first awarded the grant 62 of 74 in 1994. The LCPS Head Start program has successfully written grants to receive each Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) offered by the Office of Head Start. Unfortunately, the amount awarded with each COLA only provided a small percentage of the amount necessary to increase staff salaries in accordance with LCPS salary and wage schedules. In order to provide services for 100 students and their families, LCPS Head Start, in collaboration with the Policy Council, has requested additional funding from LCPS due to the fact that the cost of competitive salaries alone for highly qualified staff exceeds the total federal grant award. Currently, LCPS covers the cost of salaries for four of the 22 Head Start staff each year at an estimated cost of $229,972. Additionally, LCPS provides Fringe Benefits which include Group Health and Life Insurance, Retirement and FICA for all Head Start staff members at an estimated cost of $591,651. LCPS is an allowable source of non-federal share match as it is a local public school system. With this Funding Opportunity, the LCPS Head Start program proposes to continue providing Head Start services for 100 children and families. Given the costs required to hire and retain highly qualified staff to provide high caliber comprehensive services, Loudoun County Public Schools will continue to support the program by providing approximately 45% non- federal share. Using this total figure, the per pupil cost of this proposed project is estimated to be $17,750. The current per pupil cost for students attending Loudoun County Public Schools is $15,241. Although 16.5% higher than that of Loudoun County, the proposed per pupil cost for this Funding Opportunity is reasonable given the additional needs of the children and families served by the LCPS Head Start program in comparison to the county as a whole. For example, during the 2018-2019 school year, 2,462 students (out of 82,485) were identified as eligible for McKinney-Vento homeless services through LCPS, for a total of 3%. During the same time period, the LCPS Head Start program provided services for 47 students identified as McKinney- 63 of 74 Vento eligible, for a total of 44.0%. Currently, 75.5% of enrolled students in the LCPS Head Start program are eligible for McKinney-Vento services. The additional cost per pupil covers the comprehensive services provided to Head Start students and families such as Home Visits, intensive family support, and health follow-up to maintain EPSDT standards. FY20 Budgeted Cost Per Pupil Comparison Arlington County $20,012 Fairfax County $16,043 Loudoun County $15,241 Prince William County $12,247 Loudoun County Public Schools provides exceptional education for over 84,000 students in 94 schools throughout Loudoun County. As noted by LCPS Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams, “Our mission at LCPS is to empower all students to make meaningful contributions to the world. We support students’ development into lifelong contributors by cultivating a high-performing team of professionals who deliver efficient and effective support for student development…as knowledgeable critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators, creators and contributors. We are also digging deeper to ensure that we are providing equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students throughout their educational journey with LCPS.” For the neediest families, this journey begins with Head Start. The LCPS Head Start program hopes to continue it’s 26-year history collaborating with LCPS by receiving this Funding Opportunity. 64 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 a. Personnel $867,657.00 $229,972.00 $0.00 b. Fringe $0.00 $591,651.00 $0.00 c. Staff Out-of-Town Travel c.1 Non-Administrative Virginia Head Start Association Health & Family Institute (2 staff) - Nov. 2020 $0.00 $0.00 $1,160.00 Gas for Mileage to Richmond, VA (approx. 206 miles round trip) Lodging (3 nights x $140 x 2 staff) Meals ($45 a day x 3 days x 2 staff) Virginia Head Start Association Annual Conference (5 Staff) - March 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $2,300.00 Gas for Mileage to Williamsburg, VA (approx. 258 miles round trip) Lodging (3 nights, 3 rooms x $175) Meals ($45 a day x 3 days x 5 staff) Weight of the State Conference (Nurse) - April 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $420.00 Gas for Mileage to Richmond, VA (approx. 206 miles round trip) Lodging (2 nights x $140) Meals ($45 a day x 2 days) VAHS Directors Conference (2 Staff) - Oversight, Management System - June 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $1,970.00 Gas for Mileage to Virginia Beach, VA (approx. 342 miles round trip) Lodging (4 nights, 2 rooms x $205) Meals ($45 a day x 3 days x 2 staff) c.2 Administrative Virginia Head Start Association Annual Conference - March 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $675.00 Gas for Mileage to Williamsburg, VA (joint travel - prorated for Admin. Cost) Lodging (3 nights x $175) Meals ($45 a day x 3 days) VAHS Directors Conference - Oversight, Management Systems - June 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $970.00 Gas for Mileage to Virginia Beach, VA (joint travel - prorated for Admin. Cost) Lodging (4 nights, 1 room x $205) Meals ($45 a day, 3 days) c. Sub-Total $0.00 $0.00 $7,495.00 65 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 d. Equipment Other Equipment - Not Planned/Budgeted $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 d. Sub-Total $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 e. Supplies Office Supplies: e.1 Minor office equipment $500.00 $0.00 $0.00 Office Waiting Room - Create work space for families Task Desk $100 Additional Waiting Room Chairs $283 Allotment for work space organizational items $117 e.1.1 Postage $55.00 $0.00 $0.00 Annual supply of 100 Forever stamps @ 0.55 each for immediate mailings e.1.2 Office Supplies $1,650.00 $0.00 $0.00 Consumable Office Supplies - $150 x 11 Office Staff Examples: Pens, File Folders, Ink, Tape, Post Its, etc. e.1.4 Other Operating $100.00 $0.00 $0.00 Unanticipated Administrative/Management Supplies e.1.5 Software/Licenses - ChildPlus Management System Annual License $2,300.00 $0.00 $0.00 e.1.6 Computer Equipment $200.00 $0.00 $0.00 Enrollment Conference Room - large computer monitor for family use e.1. Sub-Total $4,805.00 $0.00 $0.00 Child & Family Supplies: e.2.2 Mental Health Supplies $500.00 $0.00 $0.00 STAR Bags for students @ first Home Visit, $5 x 100 students e.2.3 Medical Supplies $2,479.00 $0.00 $0.00 Toothbrushes and toothpaste $200 Disposable foam ear-tips for hearing screener $225; calibration $139 First Aid Kit Supplies 6 classrooms + 1 office $45 x 7 = $315 Pull-Ups/Wipes for 3 year-old classroom $350 Paper cups for toothbrushing (bought in bulk for 2 years) $1,100 Unanticipated miscellaneous $150 66 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 e.2.4 Disabilities Supplies $378.00 $0.00 $0.00 Tactile cushions $13 x 6 classrooms = $78 Assistive supplies by individual need $300 e.2.5 Books/Subscriptions $570.00 $0.00 $0.00 LetterLink Subscription $180 (every other year) Books for classrooms (replacement and new) $65 x 6 classrooms = $390 e.2.6 Classroom Supplies - consumable and non-consumable $14,869.68 $0.00 $0.00 Teacher Allotment for classroom needs $750 x 6 = $4,500 Replacement carpets $359 per room x 6 = $2,154 Butterfly kits $27.94 x 6 = $167.64 Sensory table material refresh $45 x 6 = $270 Work time area refresh (puzzles, kitchen items, art items) $150 x 6 = $900 Take Home folders, paper bags, paper towels $1.45 x 110 = $159.50 Science Kit refresh (backpack, composition book, rain poncho, etc.) $25 x 6 = $150 Baby Doll and clothing refresh $95.98 x 6 = $575.88 Wooden blocks $79 x 6 = $474 Spare clothing/cold weather clothing for lending $45 x 6 = $270 Additional bookshelves for room definition $171.96 x 6 = $1,031.76 Additional wooden cubbies at THS $567 New Linens for full-day classrooms 2 per child x $10 x 20 + 8 spare = $480 Allowance for replacement nap mats $16.99 x 10 = $169.90 Discretionary fund for unanticipated needs/replacements $500 x 6 = $3,000 e.2.7 Transition: Kindergarten transition supplies for summer $1,798.00 $0.00 $0.00 Crayons, glue sticks, journals, pencils, bags $8.72 x 100 = $872 Magnet letters and number flash cards $9.26 x 100 = $926 e.2.8 Other Operating - Ink for Classrooms, Laundry (Full Day classes) $1,690.00 $0.00 $0.00 4 sets of printer ink per class $265 x 6 = $1,590 Laundry detergent for full-day classes (for mat linens) $50 x 2 = $100 e.2.10 Agricultural Supplies - Seeds, dirt, planting for classrooms $16 x 6 classes $96.00 $0.00 $0.00 67 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 e.2.12 Software/Licenses $1,080.00 $0.00 $0.00 eDECA License $300 Conscious Discipline e-learning $780 e.2.13 Evaluation $3,720.00 $0.00 $0.00 eDECA assessments 3 per child x $1.50 x 110 (avg. annual enrollment) = $495 COR Advantage 110 student licenses x $15.95 = $1,754.50 Early Screening Inventory Assessments $1,469.99 e.2. Sub-Total $27,180.68 $0.00 $0.00 Food Services Supplies: e.3.1 Miscellaneous Food Service Supplies $735.00 $0.00 $0.00 Reusable water bottle annually $3.50 x 150 = $525 Brita faucet filter replacement $30 x 6 classes + office = $210 e.3. Sub-Total $735.00 $0.00 $0.00 Other Supplies: e.4.1 Repairs/Maintenance Supplies $50.00 $0.00 $0.00 Miscellaneous repairs/mantenance i.e. replacement child locks, shed roof tiles e.4.2 Other Operating $50.00 $0.00 $0.00 Miscellaneous for unanticipated costs e.4. Sub-Total $100.00 $0.00 $0.00 e. Sub-Total $32,820.68 $0.00 $0.00 f. Contractual f.5.1 Registrations (Non-Administrative): Head Start Health Institute ($285 x 2 staff) - Nov. 2020 $0.00 $0.00 $570.00 VA Head Start ($190 x 4 staff) - April 2021 (1 staff free for presenting) $0.00 $0.00 $760.00 Weight of the State Conference (Nurse) - April 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $275.00 VAHS Directors Council - June 2021 ($285 x 2 staff) $0.00 $0.00 $570.00 f.5.2 Registrations (Administrative): Virginia Head Start - April 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $335.00 VAHSA Directors Council - June 2021 $0.00 $0.00 $285.00 68 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 f.1.1 Other Administrative Services $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 f.8.2 Other Contracts $420.00 $0.00 $0.00 Parent Engagement Events/Trainings (i.e Resource Fairs) $140 x 3 = $420 f. Sub-Total $420.00 $0.00 $2,795.00 g. Construction: None Planned g. Sub-Total $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 h. Other h.5.1 Building and Child Liability Insurance $520.00 $0.00 $0.00 100 students @ $5.00 (+ 4 extra for over-enrollment) h.6.1 Building Maintenance and Repairs (<$2,500) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 h.6.2 Building Maintenance and Repairs (>$2,500) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Local Travel: h.8.1 Conduct of Business $747.00 $0.00 $0.00 Local mileage reimbursement for staff for required meetings/Home Visits Calculation based on actual expenses from past Program Year $725 x 3% h.8.2 Other Child Travel - K Transition, Orientation, Field Trips $7,320.00 $0.00 $0.00 School Buses for Orientation $165 x 6 classes = $990 School Buses for Kindergarten Field Trip $165 x 2 classes = $330 Allotment for 1 in-school & 1 on-site field trip $1,000 x 6 classes = $6,000 Nutrition: h.9.1 Children's Food $1,462.00 $0.00 $0.00 CACFP breakfast served/not eaten due to unexpected absence Average of $9.14 per day x 160 instructional days h.9.2 Adult Food $16,245.00 $0.00 $0.00 Average of $101.53 per day x 160 instructional days Family style meals for parents who eat breakfast and/or lunch w/their student (Sep-May) Family style meals for Teachers/Assistants (SeptMay) 69 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 h.9.3 Other Nutrition $2,300.00 $0.00 $0.00 Healthy Food Experiences $25 x 4 per class x 6 classes = $600 Family Connection Class - Healthy Eating $200 for ingredients LEAP Food Experiences $200 x 6 classes = $1,200 End of Year Event $55 x 6 classes = $300 Parent Service - Parent Activity Funds: h.13.1 Food - Parent Engagement Events $1,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $10 x 100 families = $1,000 (subsidized with local food donations) h.13.2 Volunteer Travel $1,200.00 $0.00 $0.00 Policy Council travel $120 x 10 months Policy Council h.13.3 Other Parent Activities $1,440.00 $0.00 $0.00 Parent Activity Fund $12 x 100 = $1,200 Policy Council new member materials $20 x 12= $240 Training/Staff Development: h.16.1 Training Expenses $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 h.16.2 Food for Training - VA Quality CLASS $0.00 $0.00 $337.00 Education Staff full-day training $337 h.16.3 Other - Fees for Trainers $657.00 $0.00 $4,118.00 Conscious Discipline: Child/Adolescent Anxiety $3,000 Trauma-Informed Care: Families in Crisis $1,775 Other: h.17.1 Printing (specialty items not covered by LCPS) $302.00 $0.00 $0.00 Posters for Head Start Events $12 x 4 = $48 Bound Kindergarten Transition Booklets $1 x 89 = $89 Bound/Tabbed Family Info/Resources Handbooks $1.50 x 110 = $165 h.17.4 Dues and Memberships (i.e. VAHSA, NHSA, NASN/VASN; NAEYC) $1,284.00 $0.00 $0.00 National Head Start Association $420 Virginia Head Start Association $500 National Association for the Education of Young Children $150 Virginia Association of School Nurses $155 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development $59 70 of 74 Loudoun County Public Schools Head Start Program Federal Non-Federal T&TA Budget Justification and Narrative - 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 h.17.5 Professional Certifications/Licenses $507.00 $0.00 $0.00 CLASS re-certification $125 x 3 staff = $375 CPR/First Aid/AED Certification Cards for Staff $100 Notary Certification $32 x 1 staff h. Sub-Total $34,984.00 $0.00 $4,455.00 Total $935,881.68 $821,623.00 $14,745.00 71 of 74 Salaries - FY21 Contract Contract Annual Grant Hourly Employee Name Title Monthly Hrs/Day Months Salary Salary Rate ROSARIO, Charisse Supervisor 8.00 12 Month $108,676.33 $54,338.17 54.78 $4,528.18 ARIETTA, Shranda Secretary II 8.00 12 Month $42,095.93 $42,095.93 20.72 $3,507.99 AZIZ, Rabia Teacher Assistant, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $18,000.44 $18,000.44 17.79 $1,500.04 BILWANI, Sana Teacher, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $65,920.00 $51,794.29 47.80 $4,316.19 CADWELL, Kris Coordinator, Head Start Health - Nutrition 7.00 10 Month $67,863.43 $67,863.43 46.61 $5,655.29 CORLEY, Anna Teacher, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $80,855.00 $63,528.93 58.63 $5,294.08 EISENHAUER, Jackeline Teacher Assistant, Head Start 7.00 10 Month $23,721.10 $23,721.10 18.42 $1,976.76 Head Start Program Management & HANLIN, Emily 7.00 10 Month $74,928.38 $65,562.33 45.03 $5,463.53 Systems Specialist INGALLS, Paola Teacher Assistant, Head Start 7.00 10 Month $23,410.04 $23,410.04 18.18 $1,950.84 LEVDAHL, Lisa Teacher Assistant, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $18,638.00 $18,638.00 18.42 $1,553.17 Bi-Lingual Family & Community MEHL, Priscilla A. 6.00 11 Month $39,569.17 $39,569.17 29.84 $3,297.43 Partnership Asst. MILLER, Anne Teacher, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $73,881.90 $58,050.06 53.58 $4,837.51 MORTAZAVI, Mandana Project Assistant, Head Start 8.00 12 Month $53,019.96 $53,019.96 26.09 $4,418.33 Head Start Education Technology NEWLIN, Richelle 7.00 10 Month $94,245.00 $99,507.41 68.34 $8,292.28 Coordinator POROJ-VASQUEZ, Lesley Teacher Assistant, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $18,000.44 $18,000.44 17.79 $1,500.04 RIVERA, Elisa Teacher Assistant, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $20,115.02 $20,115.02 19.88 $1,676.25 SAVAGE, Daniel Coordinator, Head Start Mental Health 8.00 11 Month $64,545.98 $57,518.80 32.53 $4,793.23 Coordinator, Head Start Family Comm SORTO, Brenda 8.00 11 Month $63,048.36 $56,184.22 31.78 $4,682.02 Partnership SPARACINO, Belinda Teacher, Head Start 5.50 10 Month $79,825.00 $62,719.64 57.89 $5,226.64 TREJO, Carol Teacher, Head Start 7.00 10 Month $83,945.00 $83,945.00 60.87 $6,995.42 TYE, Brooke Teacher, Head Start 7.00 10 Month $72,851.90 $72,851.90 52.83 $6,070.99 Family & Community Partnership VAN ATTA, Lynne H. 7.00 11 Month $42,769.14 $42,769.14 27.65 $3,564.09 Assistant 72 of 74 Benefits - FY21 5100 5104 5101 5106 Employee Name Grant Salary Overtime Total Total Benefits GHI & GLI 56010 Fica 56060 GHI 56030 VRS 56070 GLI ROSARIO, Charisse 54,338.17 - 54,338.17 4,156.87 22,778.68 9,536.35 711.83 37,183.73 23,490.51 ARIETTA, Shranda 42,095.93 - 42,095.93 3,220.34 234.00 7,387.84 551.46 11,393.63 785.46 AZIZ, Rabia 18,000.44 382.42 18,382.86 1,406.29 21,134.36 3,159.08 235.81 25,935.53 21,370.17 BILWANI, Sana 51,794.29 288.75 52,083.04 3,984.35 234.00 9,089.90 678.51 13,986.75 912.51 CADWELL, Kris 67,863.43 - 67,863.43 5,191.55 234.00 11,910.03 889.01 18,224.60 1,123.01 CORLEY, Anna 63,528.93 288.75 63,817.68 4,882.05 21,134.36 11,149.33 832.23 37,997.97 21,966.59 EISENHAUER, Jackeline 23,721.10 257.84 23,978.93 1,834.39 234.00 4,163.05 310.75 6,542.19 544.75 HANLIN, Emily 65,562.33 - 65,562.33 5,015.52 22,778.68 11,506.19 858.87 40,159.25 23,637.55 INGALLS, Paola 23,410.04 254.46 23,664.50 1,810.33 17,526.08 4,108.46 306.67 23,751.55 17,832.75 LEVDAHL, Lisa 18,638.00 395.97 19,033.97 1,456.10 10,072.66 3,270.97 244.16 15,043.89 10,316.82 MEHL, Priscilla A. 39,569.17 - 39,569.17 3,027.04 18,876.34 6,944.39 518.36 29,366.13 19,394.70 MILLER, Anne 58,050.06 288.75 58,338.81 4,462.92 21,134.36 10,187.79 760.46 36,545.52 21,894.82 MORTAZAVI, Mandana 53,019.96 - 53,019.96 4,056.03 22,778.68 9,305.00 694.56 36,834.27 23,473.24 NEWLIN, Richelle 99,507.41 - 99,507.41 7,612.32 234.00 17,463.55 1,303.55 26,613.41 1,537.55 POROJ-VASQUEZ, Lesley 18,000.44 382.42 18,810.21 1,438.98 10,072.66 3,159.08 235.81 14,906.52 10,308.47 RIVERA, Elisa 20,115.02 427.34 20,542.36 1,571.49 22,778.68 3,530.19 263.51 28,143.86 23,042.19 SAVAGE, Daniel 57,518.80 - 57,518.80 4,400.19 17,526.08 10,094.55 753.50 32,774.31 18,279.58 SORTO, Brenda 56,184.22 - 56,472.97 4,320.18 10,265.62 9,860.33 736.01 25,182.15 11,001.63 SPARACINO, Belinda 62,719.64 288.75 63,008.39 4,820.14 21,134.36 11,007.30 821.63 37,783.43 21,955.99 TREJO, Carol 83,945.00 - 83,945.00 6,421.79 234.00 14,732.35 1,099.68 22,487.82 1,333.68 TYE, Brooke 72,851.90 - 73,417.46 5,616.44 21,134.36 12,785.51 954.36 40,490.66 22,088.72 VAN ATTA, Lynne H. 42,769.14 - 42,769.14 3,271.84 18,876.34 7,505.98 560.28 30,214.44 19,436.62 Substitutes for Teachers - 565.56 565.56 43.27 - - 43.27 - Substitutes for Teacher Assistants ------Interpreters - 605.00 605.00 46.28 - - 46.28 - 1,093,203.42 4,426.01 1,098,911.08 84,066.70 301,406.30 191,857.20 14,320.96 591,651.16 315,727.26 73 of 74