California Head Start State Collaboration Office

Collaboration offices, funded by a grant from the Administration for Child and Families, create a visible presence for Head Start at the state level and assist in the development of multi-agency and public-private partnerships among Head Start and other interested stakeholders.
 

Effective July 1, 2021, the California Head Start State Collaboration Office (CHSSCO), along with many childcare programs, was transferred from the California Department of Education (CDE) Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD) to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). [Early Childhood Development Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 98, Chapter 24, Statutes of 2020)] The CHSSCO Director continues to work collaboratively with CDE regarding programs and activities that may affect Head Start programs.

Guardian Overview – Oct 28 at 3:00 PM

The California Head Start State Collaboration Office and the California Department of Social Services Care Provider Management Bureau (CPMB) would like to invite you to a webinar where CPMB will provide
an overview on CPMB, the Background Check Process, what is different with this new system, Guardian resources available, and brief information on TrustLine. Time will be set aside for Q&A in the chat once the session is complete.Presentation slides and resource information will be shared following the webinar.

Please click the link to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86351274771

CHSSCO works closely with:

• Head Start California
• Administration of Child and Families Regional IX Office
• The Office of Head Start and the Child Care Bureau
• CDE – Early Learning and Care Division and other state departments and other organizations and agencies in the childcare and development community

The Head Start California/CHSSCO Partnership

Head Start California has a strong and collaborative relationship with the CHSSCO coordinating efforts to support Head Start programs in California:

• Solicit and collect information from Head Start agencies regarding their needs and challenges
• Disseminate information important to Head Start Programs
• Partner with Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing to identify strengths and resolve licensing concerns that affect Head Start programs.

Current priorities for CHSSCO, set by the Region IX Office of Head Start

• Partner with State childcare systems emphasizing the EHS-CC Partnership Initiatives
• Work with State efforts to collect data regarding early childhood programs and child outcomes.
• Support the expansion and access of high quality, workforce and career development opportunities for staff.
• Collaboration with State Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS).
• Work with State school systems to ensure continuity between Head Start and Kindergarten Entrance Assessment (KEA).

State Information Impacting Head Start and Early Childhood in California

• The 2021-22 State Budget
• Blue Ribbon Commission Report summary of BRC Recommendations involving Head Start
• Building California’s Future: Tackling the Facilities Challenge for Our Youngest Learners
• Getting Down to Facts II (2018)

COVID-19 information and contacts

• For CDE state-funded related questions regarding circumstances surrounding COVID-19, please use the designated email box: ELCDEmergency@cde.ca.gov
• For any CDSS funded related questions regarding circumstances surrounding COVID-19, please go to Home | California Dept. of Social Services
• For any County questions or information related to COVID-19 please go to Hotlines and local info – Coronavirus COVID-19 Response
• For any OHS specific questions related to Head Start programs please check in with your Program Specialist.
• You can find up-to-date COVID information for Head Start on the ECKLC website.

California Department of Social Services

Department of Social Services has information regarding general childcare and other family social safety net programs including:

• CalFresh
• CalWorks
• Child Care Licensing
• Homeless Education – Specialized Programs (CA Dept of Education)
• Educating California’s Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Statewide Conference
• chapinhall.org
• voicesofyouthcount.org

CDSS’ Housing and Homelessness Branch worked with key stakeholders and the Legislature to land significant and historic expansions of the housing and homelessness programs administered by CDSS, totaling just over $2 billion in funding over the next two years. These funds will support major expansions across five housing and homelessness programs funded by CDSS and establish the new Community Care Expansion program, which will create and preserve residential care facilities for seniors and adults with disabilities. Housing Programs (ca.gov)

The State of California welcomes Afghan newcomers as they resettle and integrate into Californian communities. These resources are intended to help Afghan families build bridges to their new homes and communities across the state.Afghan Arrival Response (ca.gov)

Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)

Video tutorial now available: Watch it now!
Recorded in April 2019, this 30-minute video will help answer some common questions about the DRDP, including site functionality, the current status of the tool, and what is coming next. Developed and presented by Tamarra Osborne from West Ed, in partnership with Stephanie Myers from the Head Start State Collaboration Office.

California Child Care Licensing

Videos for Parents and Providers – This website includes videos that explain licensing topics relevant to families and licensed childcare providers.

Resources for CCL Analysts:

• Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Head Start Agencies – HS & EHS by county – EHS by county – HS by county
• Map of Head Start Programs
• Requirement & Regulation Side by Side
• Webinar: Supporting County Home Visiting – The Early Head Start Opportunity

California Department of Education

Department of Education has information regarding California State Preschool program, including:

• California State Preschool Program
• Latest announcements and Management Bulletins
• Preschool Development Grant
• Universal Transitional Kindergarten Budget Act for 2021–22: Information – Education Budget (CA Dept of Education)
• Head Start Kindergarten Transition
• CAL School News article: Newsom Proposes Universal TK | CalSchoolNews.org

2020 Needs Assessment

As a grantee, the Collaboration Office creates and submits to the OHS Region 9 a final report including a needs assessment of the state work as do Head Start grantees that provide services to children and families. The Collaboration Office partners with the California Head Start Association to conduct the needs assessment including design the needs assessment, collecting information from the Head Start programs, analyzing results and drafting the reports. View the 2021 results here.

Contact CHSSCO

To learn more, visit the website.

Executive Director
Stephanie R. Myers, M.Ed
California Head Start State Collaboration Office
Child Care and Development Division
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, Mailbox 8-17-350
Sacramento, CA 95814

Stephanie.Myers@dss.ca.gov