STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT [42 U.S.C. 9843a]
Sec. 648A.
(d) HEAD START FELLOWSHIPS.--
(1) AUTHORITY.--The Secretary may establish a program of fellowships, to be known as Head Start Fellowships', in accordance with this subsection. The Secretary may award the fellowships to individuals, to be known as Head Start Fellows', who are staff in local Head Start programs or other individuals working in the field of child development and family services.
(2) PURPOSE.--The fellowship program established under this subsection shall be designed to enhance the ability of Head Start Fellows to make significant contributions to programs authorized under this subchapter, by providing opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience through exposure to activities, issues, resources, and new approaches, in the field of child development and family services.
(3) ASSIGNMENTS OF FELLOWS.--
(A) PLACEMENT SITES.--Fellowship positions under the fellowship program may be located (subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C))--
(i) in agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services administering programs authorized under this subchapter (in national or regional offices of such agencies);
(ii) in local Head Start agencies and programs;
(iii) in institutions of higher education;
(iv) in public or private entities and organizations concerned with services to children and families; and
(v) in other appropriate settings.
(B) LIMITATION FOR FELLOWS OTHER THAN HEAD START EMPLOYEES.--A Head Start Fellow who is not an employee of a local Head Start agency or program may be placed only in a fellowship position located in an agency or program specified in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(C) NO PLACEMENT IN LOBBYING ORGANIZATIONS.--Head Start Fellowship positions may not be located in any agency (including a center) whose primary purpose, or one of whose major purposes, is to influence Federal, State, or local legislation.
(4) SELECTION OF FELLOWS.--Head Start Fellowships shall be awarded on a competitive basis to individuals (other than Federal employees) selected from among applicants who are working, on the date of application, in local Head Start programs or otherwise working in the field of child development and children and family services.
(5) DURATION.--Head Start Fellowships shall be for terms of 1 year, and may be renewed for a term of 1 additional year.
(6) AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES.--From amounts made available under section 640(a)(2)(E), the Secretary is authorized to make expenditures of not to exceed $1,000,000 for any fiscal year, for stipends and other reasonable expenses of the fellowship program.
(7) STATUS OF FELLOWS.--Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Head Start Fellows shall not be considered to be employees or otherwise in the service or employment of the Federal Government. Head Start Fellows shall be considered to be employees for purposes of compensation for injuries under chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code. Head Start Fellows assigned to positions located in agencies specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be considered employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government for the purposes of chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, and for purposes of any administrative standards of conduct applicable to the employees of the agency to which they are assigned.
(8) REGULATIONS.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
