Plan and Grow with an Annual Self-Assessment
A self-assessment each year helps Head Start programs plan and grow around their strengths and needs.
Thoughtful planning is critical to programming. Explore these resources for guidance throughout the five-year Head Start grant cycle. Learn how to establish continuous cycles of improvement that involve key stakeholders in data-based decision-making. Find resources to help build on achievable program and school readiness goals and fiscal objectives. Discover materials that guide grantees in creating community and self-assessments, and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
Program planning and service system design together make up one of the 12 management, planning, and oversight systems of the Management Systems Wheel.
A self-assessment each year helps Head Start programs plan and grow around their strengths and needs.
The community assessment is a way to jumpstart the program planning process. Learn how the assessment helps Head Start programs provide key services to the children and families that need them.
A bond is a financial guarantee by a surety company that work will be completed as described in a contract. This resource can be used by program directors and their facilities planning teams to understand the relevant requirements for bonding. Most construction contractors are familiar with the process of obtaining surety bonds.
Use this nine-phase interactive learning module to walk through through the process of planning and executing an annual Head Start program self-assessment.
Nothing ensures the success of a program more than community participation in assessing their perceived needs, strengths, and hopes for the future. Programs can use this resource to plan and coordinate their community assessment. It provides insight into public forums and listening sessions. Learn how to conduct them to engage your community in identifying and solving problems.
Following is a list of non-profit financial and Technical Assistance (TA) intermediaries involved in planning, developing, and financing facilities for low-income child care and Head Start programs. Grantees looking for new funding resources to support their goals and objectives will find this information useful.
The community assessment describes the context in which Head Start and Early Head Start programs operate and is useful for ensuring that the correct services are provided to the appropriate population. This resource can assist program staff in coordinating their efforts to gather information required for a community assessment. The assessment paints a picture of the community and describes the diverse needs of families who may receive services. In addition, the community assessment covers the community's history, its economic and political scene, and its strengths and challenges.
Part of disaster planning should always include financial planning. Families that would like to be proactive in planning for disaster may find this guide beneficial in preventing financial loss. This guide will enable users to avoid a financial crisis, protect their family’s health, life and property with adequate insurance if they ever experience a disaster.
Watch these video clips to see how data analysis and the planning cycle comes to life in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
The Department of Labor is committed to providing its customers—America's employers, workers, job seekers, and retirees—with clear and easy-to-access information on how to comply with federal employment laws. This resource can be used by program directors, human resource managers, and construction professionals involved in meeting compliance issues related to Davis-Bacon.