Attachment A - COP ERSEA Plan 2025-2026.pdf
City of Phoenix — Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee (2024-12-11)
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Human Services Department Education Division ERSEA Plan (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) Approved by the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council on October 21, 2024 Approved by the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee on ATTACHMENT A 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Goals of the ERSEA Plan .......................................................................................................... 3 Age Eligibility ............................................................................................................................. 3 Serving a Birth to Five Continuum .............................................................................................. 3 Income Eligibility ........................................................................................................................ 4 Categorically Eligible .................................................................................................................. 6 Income Verification Process ....................................................................................................... 6 Recruitment Process .................................................................................................................. 7 Recruitment Assistance Sources................................................................................................ 7 Recruitment of Children with Special Needs .............................................................................. 8 Intake Process ........................................................................................................................... 9 Serving Multiple Children in the Same Family ...........................................................................10 Selection Process .....................................................................................................................10 Notification of Enrollment ..........................................................................................................11 Enrollment .................................................................................................................................12 Enrollment for More Than One Year .........................................................................................12 Re-enrollment ...........................................................................................................................12 Alternative Placement/Drop Policy ............................................................................................12 Transfer Process .......................................................................................................................13 Enrollment Lists ........................................................................................................................14 Attendance and Absenteeism ...................................................................................................14 Vacancy Policy..........................................................................................................................14 Appendix A ...............................................................................................................................16 3 Goals of the ERSEA Plan The Goals of the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five ERSEA Plan are: • To specify the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance procedures of the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program. • To identify the roles and responsibilities of the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program, Education Service Providers, and Child Care Partners. • To maintain a 20% waitlist of eligible children beyond enrollment. • To assure that efforts are made to inform and recruit potential enrollees identified as the most in need. • Ensure that decisions regarding the selection of enrollees are made systematically and fairly based on the Selection Criteria. • To abide by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as it applies to the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Programs. • To provide the least restrictive environment placement option for children served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Selection Criteria and ERSEA Plan will be approved annually by the Policy Council and Governing Board. Approval will occur before the beginning of the intake process. However, the identification and recruitment of families is a continual effort. Age Eligibility Preschool children must be three or four years old before the date used to determine eligibility for the public school in the community in which the City of Phoenix Head Start classroom is located (in Phoenix, that date is generally either August 31st or September 1st, depending on the school district's kindergarten acceptance date). Children under the age of three and pregnant women are eligible for the infant-toddler programs. Children with disabilities requiring special education or related services (as determined by the Individual Education Plan) should be considered age-eligible for the City of Phoenix Head Start preschool programs as of their third birthday. Three-year-old classrooms are available based on local needs. Serving a Birth to Five Continuum Three-year-old children transitioning from an infant/toddler placement from another Head Start grantee (the City of Phoenix Early Head Start Program, Chicanos Por La Causa Early Head Start, Child Crisis Arizona Early Head Start, Urban Strategies Early Head Start, and Southwest Human Development Early Head Start) will be given priority consideration for acceptance into City of Phoenix Head Start preschool programs. The Birth to Five Selection Criteria supports the purpose and intent of this practice. 4 Eligible three and four-year-old children transitioning from other Head Start grantees will be given priority based on available space to ensure continuity of services. Eligibility will not need to be reestablished if the transfer happens during a school year for preschool or fiscal year for Early Head Start. The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Three service options give priority to younger children, at-risk pregnant women, teen parents, and children with disabilities, as outlined in the Selection Criteria (Appendix A). Income Eligibility HSPPS 1302.12 The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program serves children from families with at-risk backgrounds. Income based on family size is the key component in determining eligibility. The Federal Poverty Guidelines calculations are directly dependent upon the number of persons in a family. To implement the regulations regarding income, the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program will use the definitions of "family" and "income" found in the eligibility regulations 45 C.F.R., 1305.2 of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). In determining the size of a family, the following definition must be used. Family means "all persons in the same household who are supported by the child's parent(s)' or guardian(s)' income; and are related to the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) by blood, marriage, or adoption; or are the child's authorized caregiver or legally responsible party." The term income means "gross cash income and includes earned income, military income (including pay and allowances), veteran's benefits, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, child support income, and public assistance benefits." Income means gross income and only includes wages, business income, unemployment compensation, pension or annuity payments, gifts that exceed the threshold for taxable income, and military income (excluding special pay for a member subject to hostile fire or imminent danger under 37 U.S.C. 310 or any basic allowance for housing under 37 U.S.C. 403 including housing acquired under the alternative authority under 10 U.S.C. 169 or any related provision of law). Gross income only includes sources of income provided in this definition; it does not include refundable tax credits nor any forms of public assistance. To accurately identify the family’s income, the relevant time period must be considered. Relevant time period means a.) the 12 months preceding the month in which the application is submitted; or b.) during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in 5 which the application was submitted, whichever more accurately reflects the family's needs at the time of the application. Families are considered income eligible if their annual income is at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. A family whose income exceeds 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is considered over-income. The Head Start Program Performance Standards allow Grantees to enroll up to 35% of the funded enrollment with children whose families are over-income and demonstrate a need for services based on the Selection Criteria. At least 65% of enrolled children must live in families with a total annual income (before taxes) at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of the remaining 35%, 25% may be children whose family’s income is between 100.1% and 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The remaining 10% can be children whose family’s income exceeds 130% of the guidelines. Children with identified disabilities (under IDEA) whose family’s income is above 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will be selected based on the percentage over income and need as demonstrated in the Selection Criteria. HSPPS 1302.12 i) Verifying eligibility. (1) To verify eligibility based on income, program staff must use tax forms, pay stubs, or other proof of income to determine the family income for the relevant time period. (i) The program must calculate total gross income using applicable sources of income. (ii) A program may make an adjustment to a family’s gross income calculation for the purposes of determining eligibility to account for excessive housing costs. A program may use available bills, bank statements, and other relevant documentation provided by the family to calculate total annual housing costs with appropriate multipliers to: (A) Determine if a family spends more than 30 percent of their total gross income on housing costs, as defined in part 1305 of this chapter; and (B) If applicable, reduce the total gross income by the amount spent on housing costs that exceed more than 30 percent. (iii) If the family cannot provide tax forms, pay stubs, or other proof of income for the relevant time period, program staff may accept written statements from employers, including individuals who are self-employed, for the relevant time period and use information provided to calculate total annual income with appropriate multipliers. 6 For families that are initially over income, we may make adjustments to a family’s gross income based on excessive housing cost as described above. Housing costs means the total annual applicable expenses on housing which may include rent or mortgage payments, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, utilities, interest, and taxes on the home. Utilities include electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash. Categorically Eligible A child living in one or more of the following situations would constitute automatic or categorical eligibility. Families Experiencing Homelessness • Age-eligible children experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Office of Head Start. Verification can be provided in one of the following. o Homeless service provider o School personnel o Another service agency attesting the child is homeless o Self-declaration from the parent o Information gathered during the intake o Other documentation to establish homelessness Children in Foster Care • The foster parent must provide a Notice to Provider from the Department of Child Safety, or Tribal Entity (Kinship is not considered automatically eligible). Public Assistance A person included in the household receives one of the following. • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Documentation includes an award letter, electronic benefits card, or other documentation of eligibility. Income Verification Process The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program utilizes and maintains accurate income eligibility information. Staff must review and ensure the documentation represents a relevant period of the family's income. Staff signature on the Eligibility Verification Form is proof of verification. All income documentation is uploaded into ChildPlus. Supervisors must review and approve all income eligibility documents. 7 Verification of the current financial status can exist on any of the following documents: • W-2 Forms • Individual Tax Form 1040 • Pay stubs • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility (SNAP) eligibility letter • Supplemental Security Income decision letters • Written statements of income from employer(s) • Self-employed parents may use the Self-Declaration of income. • Unemployment verification • Foster Care Reimbursement • Child Support Award Letters • College scholarships, grants, fellowships, and teaching internships. (as defined by Income 1305.2 Income is verified upon entry into any of the City of Phoenix Head Start Programs and then again in the following situations. • A child who is transitioning from the City of Phoenix Early Head Start to Head Start • A child who will attend a Head Start preschool classroom for a third year Recruitment Process HSPPS 1302.13 Although recruitment and outreach are conducted on a continual cycle throughout the year, more targeted recruitment and outreach efforts will begin in February to ensure full enrollment at the beginning of the school year. Recruitment and outreach efforts are the responsibility of all staff within the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program, Education Service Providers, and Child Care Partners. Before the beginning of the enrollment year, Education Service Providers and Caseworker IIIs will create and establish a written Recruitment Plan, taking into account each Education Service Provider's unique and individual needs based on their local community. The process for making families aware of the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five opportunities includes cyclical and routine advertising, and community outreach in collaboration with the designated City of Phoenix Public Information Officer, Education Service Providers, and Child Care Partners. Pre-registration forms are completed throughout the year via the website, telephone, and during community outreach events. Recruitment Assistance Sources 8 The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program will work collaboratively with partners to recruit and identify families. Examples of partnerships include but are not limited to: • Phoenix Human Services Department-Community Services Division • Local Homeless Shelters • Head Start Parents • Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) • Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) • Other organizations serving children from Birth to Five with disabilities • Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) • Local Child Find Efforts • Agencies serving low-income families and children • Arizona Department of Economic Security • Local Education Agencies (LEA) • Women, Infants, and Children Food and Nutrition Services (WIC) Offices • Department of Child Service (DCS) • City of Phoenix Housing Department Recruitment of Children with Special Needs The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program provides the least restrictive environment for children identified under IDEA. Preference will be given to children who receive services under IDEA and are income eligible. Considerable effort and coordination are required to identify children with disabilities who may benefit from the City of Phoenix Early Head Start services. For preschool-aged children, each Education Service Provider will work collaboratively with key staff within the local school district/s to identify children in self-contained preschool placements who may benefit from a less restrictive environment. Some children may be identified for placement in Head Start, as determined by the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) team. When considering a City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five placement, a Head Start representative will be an active team member. Education Service Providers will also work with local school districts to participate in a collaborative Child Find process to identify, place, and serve three to five-year-old children with disabilities. All Recruitment Plans will include outreach that intentionally markets to community agencies that serve children with disabilities. Children may participate in dual programs. An Education Service Provider, which is also a local education agency, must develop written documentation of the district's policies and procedures for placement of students with I.E.P.s and assurance of the 10% mandate. 9 Non-profit Education Service Providers will collaborate with the local school district to create a formalized agreement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to outline specific responsibilities for ensuring the 10% mandate. Enrollment in other therapy services or programs is not a basis for exclusion in a City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program. Intake Process Conducting intakes in person is best practice; however, other meetings may occur based on the family's situation or in the event of a pandemic. • The caseworker may conduct a home visit • The intake occurs in an agreed-upon public space • The intake takes place over the phone or virtual platform The intake processes for first-year families will include the following: • Scheduling of intakes appointments • Short screening via phone • Verification of family's income • Proof of the child's age • Verification of address • Determination of eligibility City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five staff will complete the following at the intake in ChildPlus: • Application • Health/Medical History • Nutrition screening • Immunizations • Family Outcomes Pre-Assessment • Verification of Eligibility (must be signed by the caseworker who conducted the intake) • Grant or Deny • Selection Criteria • Verification of Address • Enrollment Agreement A review of medical requirements and immunization status will include the following: • Explanation of health requirements and resources provided, as needed • Distribution of physical exam form • Distribution of dental exam form • Review of immunization status and distribution information on immunization fairs • Distribution of special health and nutrition forms (SAM – Special Meal Modification Form, Asthma Information Referral, or Medical Information Referral) 10 to gather information from the child's health care provider regarding health or nutrition accommodations or medication children may need in school or childcare. A family will not be denied an intake if unable to verify the child’s age (i.e., birth certificate, passport, or baptism records). The caseworker will assist the family in obtaining appropriate documents. Approved address verification documents include the following within the last 30 days. • Lease agreements or mortgage statements • Utility bills – water, electric, gas, cable, or internet • Federal Documents – o Supplemental Security Income (SSI), o Social Security Administration letter o Tax Returns, or • State of Arizona Documents – o Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) determination letters o Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) letters o Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility (SNAP)determination letters • City of Phoenix Property Tax Statement • Shared residency verification/letter accompanied by a current utility bill or rental agreement If the intake is conducted via phone or virtually, the family will sign all documents electronically. Serving Multiple Children in the Same Family When multiple age-eligible children are in the home, an intake will be completed for the family by the same caseworker. Families who have children enrolled in multiple services options will have one caseworker as their point of contact; all caseworkers will support the family (i.e., if the family is enrolled in the Early Head Start Home-Based program, more than likely that Caseworker would be the point of contact due to the weekly visits with the family). The point of contact will communicate their role to the family and describe the support they will be given throughout the program year. The point of contact and other caseworkers involved with the family will have regularly scheduled staffing to stay updated on their assigned family’s status and progress. A summary of these meetings will be documented in ChildPlus. Selection Process HSPPS 1302.14 11 The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program has formal written processes for selecting families with a Selection Criterion that considers income, age, disabilities, and needs identified by the community assessment and families with at-risk backgrounds. The approved City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Selection Criteria will be uploaded into ChildPlus no later than February 1st. This will allow caseworkers to conduct first-year intakes for siblings during the intake for second-year children. The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five staff will begin selecting second-year preschool children for enrollment during February and March: birth to three selection is ongoing throughout the year. City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five staff will begin selecting first-year children into the program starting in March. Education Service Providers will have access to a list of children who have been accepted into the program but may not be placed in a classroom. Eligible children will be approved in ChildPlus and placed on either the waitlist or in a classroom. Children who are found to be not eligible will be provided with referrals and resources for other agencies and supports. Caseworker IIIs will place a child on the waitlist when: • Before the school year starts, the child’s Selection Criteria are less than 5 points. • The school year is in progress, and there are no available openings Caseworker IIIs will place a child in a classroom when; • Before the school year starts, the child’s Selection Criteria are 5 points or higher. • The child is re-enrolling for a second year • The school year is in progress, and there are available openings. Caseworker IIIs and Education Service Providers will collaborate on the child’s final placement before contacting the family. A waitlist that ranks children based on the Selection Criteria will be maintained throughout the year in ChildPlus, available to both the Education Service Provider and the caseworker. This list will be used to ensure eligible children enter the program as vacancies occur. As vacancies occur during the school year, the Education Service Providers and Caseworkers will collaboratively identify and notify families to fill the vacancies. No child will be denied placement in a City of Phoenix Head Start preschool classroom due to any chronic health condition or not being toilet trained. Notification of Enrollment All families completing an intake in the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Programs are notified in writing, text, or telephone of their enrollment status. All eligible families will be placed either on a class list or a waiting list. 12 Enrollment The enrollment date is the first date the child attends school for center-based programs or the first home visit or service for home-based programs. Enrollment is documented in ChildPlus by the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five caseworkers. Each child enrolled in the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program must be allowed to remain in the Program until a natural transition, as defined in 45 C.F.R., Eligibility Duration of the HSPPS; an exception to this would be if the family moves out of the service area. Enrollment for More Than One Year An income-eligible child who participates in a City of Phoenix Head Start preschool program remains income eligible through the end of the succeeding enrollment year. Children enrolled in a City of Phoenix Head Start infant-toddler program remain income- eligible while participating in the program up to their third birthday. If a child turns three during the school year, the toddler program will provide services, if appropriate and available, for that child until a City of Phoenix Head Start preschool option becomes available. Children enrolled in the preschool option will be considered eligible until kindergarten entry eligible, except in extenuating circumstances where the Head Start program may choose not to enroll a child when there are compelling reasons for the child not to remain in Head Start. Re-enrollment A child can be considered for re-enrollment as long as the family resides in the service area and the request is within the same school year for preschool and the same calendar year for infant-toddler programs. Eligibility will have to be re-verified to ensure they are still eligible. If the request is outside these parameters, an intake must be conducted to ensure the family meets the eligibility requirements. A re-enrollment request may also be denied if children on the waitlist have higher needs based on the Selection Criteria. Alternative Placement/Drop Policy Once a child is enrolled, and concerns arise regarding the child's individual needs, a multi-disciplinary team meeting must occur to discuss the concerns and related services available. The child's parent/guardian will be invited to participate in this meeting and be a critical part of the multi-disciplinary team. This pertains to all City of Phoenix Head Start children, not just children with disabilities. No child will arbitrarily be withdrawn from the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program. 13 No child shall be withdrawn from the program based solely on a parent/guardian's lack of participation in the program or failure to meet its requirements. It is the responsibility of all City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five staff, Education Service Providers, and Child Care Partners to inform parents of the impact attendance has on a child's educational experience and work with those parents whose children have chronic absenteeism. Withdrawing children from the program based on chronic absenteeism will only be done to remain in compliance with 45 C.F.R., 1302.15(a) "Funded enrollment. A program must maintain its funded enrollment level and fill any vacancy as soon as possible. A program must fill any vacancy within 30 days". Parents/guardians will be notified if the child is dropped from the program by phone, text, email, mail, or home visit. The Caseworker shall be notified of the child's withdrawal and document the appropriate withdrawal date in ChildPlus. In the Home-Based program, two appointments where the parent is not home during the scheduled appointment and has not contacted the caseworker may result in the family being withdrawn from the program. Attendance letters will be sent to families identifying the number of missed appointments before withdrawal from the program. The parent/guardian may be informed by phone, text, or letter that they have been withdrawn. The withdrawal date is the last date of contact with the family. Transfer Process Enrolled children transferring from and to another City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program will be enrolled if a slot is available to ensure a continuation of services. If a slot is not available, the child will be placed at the top of the waiting list. If the family is willing to keep the child enrolled in the original Education Service Provider, permission from both directors must be obtained by the current Caseworker III. The Caseworker III will ensure verification of new address is updated, documented in the Enrollment tab, and proof of address is uploaded into ChildPlus. The current Caseworker III will communicate the transfer via email to receiving Caseworker III. It is the responsibility of the receiving Caseworker III to place the child in an age-appropriate classroom in ChildPlus and communicate the status with the family. To ensure additional information is being transferred and completed (DECA, Developmental Screener, etc.), the receiving Caseworker III will notify the Education Service Provider and the Behavioral Support Content Specialist of the transfer. Once the transfer is complete and the child is enrolled, the receiving caseworker will schedule a staffing with both transfer sides to discuss the family's case. City of Phoenix Early Head Start children may transfer from one program option to another when family employment circumstances change. The home-based program is available for non-working parents/guardians, and the childcare partnership option is available for full-time working parents or students enrolled in school. 14 Enrollment Lists Enrollment lists are developed for each program option. Children are placed on class lists in the center-based option or on caseloads in the Home-Based program, based on the service area. In the center-based preschool option, children are placed in classrooms as close as possible to their homeschool. Efforts will be made to maintain a 20% waitlist. Once filled, the remainder of the children seeking placement in that location will be placed on a waitlist. When a vacancy occurs, children from the waitlist are considered based on needs determined by the Selection Criteria. Attendance and Absenteeism Promoting and tracking attendance is a strong focus in the City of Phoenix Birth to Five Program, supported in the school readiness plan and strategic plan goals. Attendance is taken daily and entered into the ChildPlus system within the first hour of class beginning. If a child is absent and the parent/guardian has not notified the program within the first hour of class, the program will reach out to the family to ensure the child's safety. Attendance is monitored weekly by the caseworker through ChildPlus reports and the classroom sign-in log. Monitoring of attendance will identify consecutive absences or patterns of absenteeism to address with the family. After three consecutive absences, the teacher will generate a referral to the caseworker. Collaboration and communication between the classroom teacher and the caseworker are vital to support families in promoting their regular attendance. To accomplish the strategic plan goal of a 95% attendance rate and reduce the number of children considered chronically absent by 10% each year through 2024, To accomplish the strategic plan goal of increasing attendance, the City of Phoenix Birth to Five Program will work collaboratively with Education Service Providers to provide attendance incentives programs. If a caseworker identifies a child with two or more absences in one month, the family is contacted to determine the reason for the absences. Depending on the situation, a student success plan may be developed to help the parent overcome the barriers to getting the child to school on time and regularly. Any attendance follow-up will be entered into ChildPlus under the attendance tab. Casework staff monitor the child's attendance and continue to work with the parent to ensure successful attendance. If a caseworker creates a student success plan and attempts to reengage the family, but the child stops attending the program, the slot will be considered vacant. Vacancy Policy All vacancies must be filled from the prioritized waitlist within thirty (30) calendar days from the last day the child attended, which aligns with 45 C.F.R. 1302.15(a) "A program must maintain its funded enrollment level and fill any vacancy as soon as possible. A program must fill any vacancy within 30 days." 15 A home-based option slot shall be considered vacant after the last contact between the assigned caseworker and the family. A center-based slot shall be considered vacant the day after the child's last day of attendance. The caseworker must be informed of a newly enrolled child on the child's first day of attendance to ensure the child is enrolled in ChildPlus and screening deadlines are established. 16 Appendix A City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five 2025-2026 Selection Criteria A.G.E. Birth to 3 1. 0 – 11 months 3 2. 12- 23 months 2 3. 24 – 36 months 1 PARENTAL/CCDF STATUS (EHS CCP only) 4. Has a CCDF Subsidy 2 5. Qualified for CCDF (on DES waitlist) 1 DISABILITIES 6. Child born premature (before 36 weeks) EHS ONLY 2 7. Has a current IFSP/IEP 2 8. Child with documented referral or diagnosis of developmental delay 1 9. Child receiving therapy from a private agency 1 10. Parent/Guardian and/or sibling with documented disability 1 PARENTAL STATUS 11. Child in Foster Care 2 12. Kinship – relative/guardian is caring for the child 2 13. Teen parent at the time of registration (18 years old or younger) 2 14. Teen parent at the time of child's birth (18 years old or younger) 1 15. Parenting single 1 16. Parent education level 8th grade or less 1 Parent works for Head Start 2 OTHER FACTORS 17. Transition from EHS/HS to HS 2 18. Continuity of Care- Siblings in EHS/HS 1 19. Refugee 2 20. TANF/SSI/SNAP 1 21. Three or more children under the age of 5 living in the home. 1 CRISIS 22. Any member in the home who: Is currently abusing substances (drugs or alcohol) 2 23. Is currently incarcerated or has been at some point since the child was born 2 24. Has a mental health diagnoses or receiving mental health treatment 2 25. History of D.C.S. involvement 2 26. History of domestic violence within the last six years 2 27. Family separated due to crisis 2 28 Family Experiencing Homelessness 3 TOTAL POINTS 17 DESCRIPTION 1.– 3. Higher points for younger children allowing families to remain in the program for up to three years. 4.– 5. Child Care and Development Fund Subsidies – participation in EHS Child Care Partner classrooms 6. Children born prematurely have a higher likelihood of experiencing developmental delays 7. The child has an official Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP, 0 – 3) or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP, 3 – 5). The parent must be able to provide a copy. 8. The child has a referral for an evaluation with a government/private agency, local school district, or appointment with a developmental pediatrician. The child has a diagnosis of developmental delay by a government/private agency, local school district, or developmental pediatrician and is either in the process of obtaining an IFSP/IEP or does not require special education services at this time for identified diagnosis. 9. The child is currently receiving therapy services through a private agency, and the parent is able to provide documentation. 10. The parent/guardian or the child's sibling has a documented disability (i.e., physical, sensory, cognitive, or social/emotional – does not include mental or medical disabilities). 11. The child is placed with a foster family, in a group home, or shelter by DCS (Department of Child Services) 12. The child is living with a relative – D.C.S. may or may not be involved. 13. The parent is currently 18 years old or younger during registration. 14. The parent was 18 years old or younger when the child was born. 15. The parent/guardian is the only adult in the home caring for the child/children. 16. One or both parents/guardians attended school up to the 8th grade or less, did not go to high school. 17. The child participated in another EHS/HS program (i.e., it does not matter where they participated). 18. The family has children in both EHS and HS, including children enrolled in another grantee’s Early Head Start program. 19. A family who has or is experiencing resettlement in the United States through a resettlement organization. 20. The family (EHS/HS household) is receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program). Anyone in the EHS/HS household who is receiving S.S.I. (Supplemental Security Income). 21. It does not need to be children included in the household, currently living in the home. 22. Anyone living in the home who uses illegal drugs, abusing prescription drugs, and/or abusing alcohol per parent/guardian completing intake. 23. Anyone living in the home who has been in prison for an extended period and/or jailed for short periods may or may not be reintegrated into the home but impacts the child's life. 24. Anyone living in the home who is currently under a doctor's care has atypical behavior due to diagnosed disorder and/or has been identified as having a disorder that may impact the child(ren). 25. The parent or guardian had or currently has an open case, and/or children have been removed from the home, including before the child's birth. 26. May include sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse involving parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child(ren). 27. Includes the following; divorce, separation, deportation, and death. 28. Identify if the family is in temporary housing or if their current housing situation is permanent. McKinney-Vento definition of homeless – "children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in a motel, hotel, trailer park (in a tent or other type of substandard housing), camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters.".