Continuous quality improvement is a central tenet of the Head Start program, with the goal of meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards and moving toward program excellence for serving children and families. To ensure continuous quality improvements, grantee and delegate agencies are required to conduct an annual self-assessment.
The self-assessment process provides grantee and delegate agencies with a method to regularly assess the effectiveness of key management systems as it relates to the implementation of program services. In effect, this process supports continuous improvements, which strengthens the quality of services delivered to Head Start eligible children and families.
The Head Start Program Performance Standards requires that at least once each program year, with the consultation and participation of the policy groups and, as appropriate, other community members, grantee and delegate agencies conduct a self-assessment.
The self-assessment process involves the collection of information from a variety of sources to determine the effectiveness of systems as it relates to the implementation and integration of program services. It is oftentimes recommended that grantee and delegate agency staff analyze, review and incorporate information from a variety of data sources, such as ongoing monitoring reports, Program Information Report (PIR), Child Outcome Data, Community Assessment, and the results from the most recent PRISM review. These sources of information can be used to identify program strengths, determine areas for improvement for planning appropriate strategies to address program services.
Furthermore, how can Head Start/Early Head Start programs be certain that the services they provide support the overall mission of Head Start? The Head Start Performance Measures is also a source of information that outlines the goals and objectives of Head Start and Early Head Start are as follows:
- Enhance children’s growth and development
- Strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children
- Provide children with educational, health and nutritional services
- Link children and families to needed community services
- Ensure well-managed programs that involve parents in decision-making
Section 1304.50, Appendix A: Governance and Management Responsibilities, of the Head Start Program Performance Standards designates the Head Start program director as having operational responsibility for carrying out the Self-Assessment. Head Start directors are responsible for leading a team of program managers, policy groups and community members in outlining a process and timeline for conducting the s elf- a ssessment .
For more information regarding the self-assessment process refer to the Head Start Self-Assessment Guide: Your Foundation for Building Program Excellence.
