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The National Head Start Facilities Assistance Desk
 

This resource provides a toll free telephone number and Web site services. It will provide information, training, and assistance to meet center design, construction, renovation and maintenance. Head Start grantees and delegate agencies, as well as, regional office staff will benefit from this quality service.


The National Head Start Facilities Assistance Desk

The National Head Start Facilities Assistance Desk

The Facilities Assistance Desk is operated through the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Resource Center (NRC). By providing a toll free telephone number and Web site services, the NRC will continue to offer quality services to Head Start grantees and Regional Office staff. This service will be coordinated with other agencies and services supporting Head Start facility improvement projects and the NRC will make information, training, and assistance available to meet center design, construction, renovation and maintenance needs.

Our goals are:

  • To provide a continuum of information and available resources to the ACF Head Start network of programs, agencies, and grantees, along with the ACF Regional Offices, throughout the United States and territories.

  • To assist each ACF grantee and delegate, along with each Regional Office, in their efforts to update and improve their own knowledge of Construction Standards as we know them to be: 1) the development and application of the construction process; 2) the development and application of the construction forms to assist in the construction process; and 3) the knowledge and application of codes and regulations for both Head Start and EHS, but also for the construction industry.

  • To provide this information in a user-friendly format using knowledgeable and field-tested instruments, information, and resources that has been widely used by both Head Start/EHS and other ACF Regional Offices.

Services of the Facilities Assistance Desk

  • Serves as a national resource on Head Start construction and renovations including prevailing wage information, technical assistance, forms, and industry information.
  • The Web site and Facilities Desk explain or provide:
  • Compliance with Head Start regulations and how to utilize space.
  • The language of construction, project funding, playground design, safety and other requirements specific to projects.
  • Information about the U.S. Department of Labor wage and hour provisions in conformance with the Davis Bacon Act.
  • Advice on disaster preparedness and recovery.
  • Information about center maintenance programs and operations.
  • Works with the Office of Engineering Services, U.S. Public Health Service, to offer comprehensive planning and design to meet the needs of Head Start programs and the licensing and code requirements of the building industry.
  • Offers on-site technical assistance by :
  • Reviewing and critiquing plans and drawings.
  • Reviewing bid documents and proposals.
  • Organizing and operating the planning team.
  • Provides regional training when resources permit.
  • Offers individual training on construction standards and related issues.

When to Call the Facilities Assistance Desk

Call for project-specific information, such as hiring an architect, planning expansion, developing maintenance program, handling hazardous materials, preparing change orders, obtaining Davis Bacon Act wage decisions, discussing project management, developing a bid document., and gathering information about other issues concerning construction, renovation, and purchase of Head Start facilities.

Contact Bob Crooks, Facilities Specialist, for more information or questions concerning facilities:

Bob Crooks, Facilities Specialist
Toll free phone number: 800-303-0705 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m ET)
Email: bcrooks@pal-tech.com
Fax: 270-783-8552

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The National Head Start Facilities Assistance Desk. HHS/ACF/HSB. 2003. English.