ACYF Administration on Children, Youth and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families
	1. Log No. ACYF-IM-HS-96-30	2. Issuance Date: 12/20/96
	3. Originating Office: Head Start Bureau
	4. Key Word: Revised Performance Standards

PROGRAM INSTRUCTION

TO: Head Start Grantee and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: Revised Head Start Performance Standards

As Associate Commissioner Of the Head Start Bureau, I am proud that the Revised Head Start performance Standards were Published on November 5, 1996. These Revised Performance Standards reflect the hard work of Federal staff, Head Start staff and many early childhood experts and consultants committed to achieving quality Head Start programs throughout the country.

Our next task is to ensure the successful implementation of the Revised Performance Standards that become effective on January 1, 1998. Many activities are underway at the Head Start Bureau to develop guidance and training materials that will support implementation of the Revised Performance Standards at the local level. The guidance will be available in early February.

Recently, we brought together a group of Federal staff, Head Start staff and parents and members of our Training and Technical Assistance network to design orientation and training strategies that would help Head Start programs as they begin to think about implementing the Revised Performance Standards. The design team concluded that before programs began detailed implementation activities, it was important for all programs, and all staff, including Federal staff, parents and T/TA providers, to have the opportunity to discuss what Head Start is and what impact it has had on children, families and communities.

We agree with and Support this idea. On January 10, 1997, we ask each Head Start program to join in reflecting and celebrating Head Starts rich past and bright future. We ask that local programs and others throughout the Head Start community plan a special activity that marks the issuance of the revised standards by honoring our past, our principles, and our commitment. We ask that each Head Start program do something special on this day.

For example, an activity that will give all staff, parents and community members an opportunity to discuss the core principles and philosophy that enables Head Start to provide the vital services that benefit children, families and communities. During this special occasion, I encourage you to identify those successes you are most proud of and your hopes for the future of Head Start in your community.

Finally, if you would like, please share with us a particular success story, idea or account of your activity on January 10. Please send it to the attention of "Head Start Stories," P.O. Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013. We look forward to hearing from you about how your program took a moment, or a few hours, to "step back" and realize the very important work you do as Head Start staff, parents and community members each day on behalf of Head Start children and families.

/S/
Helen H. Taylor
Associate Commissioner
Head Start Bureau