INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO: Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: Final Rule - Amendments to Part 1305, Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES: The Head Start Act, as awarded.

INFORMATION: Attached is the final regulation regarding recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance in head Start, which was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 1998. These amendments primarily affect programs serving American Indians, children of Migrant farm workers, and the Early head Start program. This regulation was published in the Federal Register as a proposed rule on October 25, 1995 (60 FR 54648).

This Final Rule defines the requirements on eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance in head Start in six areas. These amendments add a new definition for Indian Tribe; amend the definition of migrant family; add a requirement that migrant programs give priority to children from families that relocate most frequently; expand the definition of a service area for head Start programs operated by Indian Tribes to include near-reservation designations; expand the family income criteria for Indian grantees meeting certain conditions; and amend the enrollment and reenrollment criteria for children in head Start and for children enrolled in an Early head Start program.

The effective date of this final rule is April 16, 1998. Grantee and delegate agencies may voluntarily implement these standards prior to the effective date.

For further information, please contact your Regional Office or the American Indian or the Migrant Programs Branch.

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