On Sept. 1, 2016, the Office of Head Start and the Administration for Children and Families published a new final rule, the first update of its kind since 1998, that relects best practices, lessons from program input and innovation, and integrates recommendations fron early childhood education experts. Included are revisions to transportation regulations. The implementation date for the final rule is Nov. 7, 2016.
Below are links to the specific section on 1303 Subpart F: Transportation:
1303.75 Children with disabilities.
Established in 1965, Head Start promotes school readiness for children in low-income families by offering educational, nutritional, health, social, and other services. Since its inception, Head Start has served more than 33 million children, birth to age 5, and their families. In 2015, Head Start was funded to serve nearly one million children and pregnant women in centers, family homes, and in family child care homes in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the nation. Head Start plays a major role in focusing attention on the importance of early childhood development.
The program also has an impact on: Child development and day care services; the expansion of state and local activities for children; the range and quality of services offered to young children and their families; and the design of training programs for those who staff such programs. Outreach and training activities also assist parents in increasing their parenting skills and knowledge of child development.
- Families with children birth through age two are eligible for Early Head Start. In addition, children and families must also fit into at least one of the following categories:
- Families with incomes below the Federal poverty level
- Families eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
- Children who are experiencing homelessness, in the child welfare system, or who have a disability
Programs are allowed to fill up to 10 percent of their slots with children from families whose income is above the Federal poverty line. In addition, at least 10 percent of slots must be filled with children with disabilities.
Source: Administration of Children & Families & School Transportation News
