RIBACK WILSON AND BERKSTRESSER.

Read 1^st time January 12, 1998, and 1000 copies ordered printed.

Read 2^nd time January 13, 1998, and referred to the Committee on Children, Youth & Families, January 22, 1998.

Reported from the Committee on Children, Youth & Families, March 9, 1998, with recommendation that the bill Do Pass by Consent.

Perfected by Consent March 23, 1998.

ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk

L2593.01P

AN ACT

To amend chapter 660, RSMo, relating to the department of social services by adding thereto one new section relating to head start programs.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 660, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 660.650, to read as follows:

660.650. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

(1) "Early head start program", any head start program as defined in subdivision (4) of this subsection which provides services to children age three and under, and their families;

(2) "Head start delegate agency", any organization that operates a head start program pursuant to a contract with a head start grantee;

(3) "Head start grantee", any private not for profit or public organization that operates a head start program pursuant to federal law and regulations. A head start grantee shall be responsible for the administration of a local head start program and, in partnership with the head start policy council, provide policy direction for the program; and

(4) "Head start program", a community program that is operated in compliance with federal performance standards pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 9801, and 45 C.F.R. section 1301, et seq., and that provides comprehensive services to children and their families. The program shall focus on preschool children from low-income families who have not reached the age of compulsory school attendance. A head start program shall encompass early child development and health services, family and community partnerships, and program design and management. Head start services include, but are not limited to, health, education, parent involvement, nutrition, social services, special services for children with disabilities and other services to help children and their families attain their full potential.

2. Each head start program shall have a head start policy council or committee, with not less than fifty-one percent of the members of such council or committee being parents of children enrolled in a head start program. The remaining members of such council or committee may be community representatives from the geographic area serviced by the program. Pursuant to federal regulations, the head start policy council or committee shall, in partnership with the head start grantee or delegate agency, provide policy direction for the local head start program.

3. Head start grantees shall take an active role in community planning to encourage strong communication, cooperation and the sharing of information among the agencies and their community partners, and to improve the delivery of community services to children and families. Head start grantees shall take affirmative steps to establish ongoing collaborative relationships with community organizations in order to promote access for children and their families to community services that are responsive to their needs, and to ensure that early head start and head start programs respond to community needs. Head start grantees shall perform outreach to encourage volunteers from the community to participate in early head start and head start programs. To enable the effective participation of children with disabilities and their families, a head start grantee shall make specific efforts to develop interagency agreements with local education agencies and other organizations within the grantee's service area.

4. Each head start grantee directly operating an early head start or head start program, shall establish and maintain a health services advisory committee which includes professionals and volunteers from the community. Head start grantees shall also establish and maintain such other service advisory committees as they deem appropriate to address program service issues, such as the development of community partnerships, and to help agencies respond to community needs.

5. A head start grantee shall establish and maintain procedures to support successful transitions for enrolled children and families from head start and other child care and development programs into elementary school, preschool programs or other child care settings.

6. Subject to appropriation, the state may, through grants or contracts, provide financial assistance to head start grantees to carry out head start programs; and the state may provide financial support for a coordinating office to help assure effective linkages among head start programs and state agencies that administer related programs. Such funds shall be used in conjunction with available federal or local funds to provide needed services to children enrolled in head start programs and their families.

7. Each head start grantee, with the concurrence of the head start policy council or committee, may promulgate and implement local policies and procedures that shall be consistent with federal and state laws and regulations.

Return to the Missouri House of Representatives