itself and other agencies using funds or exercising authority for which it is responsible, rules designed to (1) establish specific standards governing salaries, salary increases, travel and per diem allowances, and other employee benefits; (2) assure that only persons capable of discharging their duties with competence and integrity are employed and that employees are promoted or advanced under impartial procedures calculated to improve agency performance and effectiveness; (3) guard against personal or financial conflicts of interest; (4) define employee duties in an appropriate manner which will in any case preclude employees from participating, in connection with the performance of their duties, in any form of picketing, protest, or other direct action which is in violation of law.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, no financial assistance shall be extended under this subchapter in any case in which the Secretary determines that the costs of developing and administering a program assisted under this subchapter exceed 15 percent of the total costs, including the required non-Federal contributions to such costs, of such program. The Secretary shall establish by regulation, criteria for determining (1) the costs of developing and administering such program; and (2) the total costs of such program. In any case in which the Secretary determines that the cost of administering such program does not exceed 15 percent of such total costs but is, in the judgment of the Secretary, excessive, the Secretary shall forthwith require the recipient of such financial assistance to take such steps prescribed by the Secretary as will eliminate such excessive administrative cost, including the sharing by one or more Head Start agencies of a common director and other administrative personnel. The Secretary may waive the limitation prescribed by this subsection for specific periods of time not to exceed 12 months whenever the Secretary determines that such a waiver is necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.(2) Except as provided in section 640(a) (3) (A) (v), financial assistance provided under this subchapter may not be used by a Head Start agency to purchase a facility (including paying the cost of amortizing the principal, and paying interest on, loans) to be used to carry out a Head Start program unless the Secretary approves a request that is submitted by such agency and contains--(c) The Secretary shall prescribe rules or regulations to supplement subsections (a) and (f) of this section, which shall be binding on all agencies carrying on Head Start program activities with financial assistance under this subchapter. The Secretary may, where appropriate, establish special or simplified requirements for smaller agencies or agencies operating in rural areas. Policies and procedures shall be established to ensure that indirect costs attributable to the common or joint use of facilities and services by programs assisted under this subchapter and other programs shall be fairly allocated among the various programs which utilize such facilities and services.
(d) At least 30 days prior to their effective date, all rules, regulations, guidelines, instructions, and application forms shall be published in the Federal Register and shall be sent to each grantee with the notification that each such grantee has the right to submit comments pertaining thereto to the Secretary prior to the final adoption thereof.
(e) Funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall not be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing.
(f) (1) The Secretary shall establish uniform procedures for Head Start agencies to request approval to purchase facilities, or to request approval of the purchase (after December 31, 1986) of facilities, to be used to carry out Head Start programs. The Secretary shall suspend any proceedings pending against any Head Start agency to claim costs incurred in purchasing such facilities until the agency has been afforded an opportunity to apply for approval of the purchase and the Secretary has determined whether the purchase will be approved. The Secretary shall not be required to repay claims previously satisfied by Head Start agencies for costs incurred in the purchase of such facilities.
(A) a description of the site of the facility proposed to be purchased or that was previously purchased;(3) Upon a determination by the Secretary that suitable facilities are not otherwise available to Indian tribes to carry out Head Start programs, and that the lack of suitable facilities will inhibit the operation of such programs, the Secretary, in the discretion of the Secretary, may authorize the use of financial assistance, from the amount reserved under section 640(a) (2) (A), to make payments for the purchase of facilities owned by such tribes. The amount of such a payment for such a facility shall not exceed the fair market value of the facility.
(B) the plans and specifications of such facility;
(C) information demonstrating that-(i) the proposed purchase will result, or the previous purchase has resulted, in savings when compared to the costs that would be incurred to acquire the use of an alternative facility to carry out such program; or(D) in the case of a request regarding a previously purchased facility, information demonstrating that the facility will be used principally as a Head Start center, or a direct support facility for a Head Start program; and
(ii) the lack of alternative facilities will prevent, or would have prevented, the operation of such program;
(E) such other information and assurances as the Secretary may require.(g) (1) Upon a determination by the Secretary that suitable facilities(including public school facilities) are not otherwise available to Indian tribes, rural communities, and other low-income communities to carry out Head Start programs, that the lack of suitable facilities will inhibit the operation of such programs, and that construction of such facilities is more cost effective than purchase of available facilities or renovation, the Secretary, in the discretion of the Secretary, may authorize the use of financial assistance under this subchapter to make payments for capital expenditures related to facilities that will be used to carry out such programs. The Secretary shall establish uniform procedures for Head Start agencies to request approval for such payments, and shall promote, the extent practicable, the collocation of Head Start programs with other programs serving low-income children and families.(2) Such payments may be used for capital expenditures (including paying the cost of amortizing the principal, and paying interest on, loans) such as expenditures for-(A) construction of facilities that are not in existence on the date of the determination;(3) All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the construction or renovation of facilities to be used to carry out Head Start programs shall be paid wages at not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Act of March 3, 1931, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a et seq., commonly known as the "Davis-Bacon Act").
(B) major renovation of facilities in existence on such date; and
(C) purchase of vehicles used for programs conducted at the Head Start facilities.(h) In all personnel actions of the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, the Secretary shall give the same preference to individuals who are members of an Indian tribe as the Secretary gives to a disabled veteran, as defined in section 2108(3) (C) of title 5, United States Code. The Secretary shall take such additional actions as may be necessary to promote recruitment of such individuals for employment in the Administration.PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS Sec. 645. [42 U.S.C. 9840] (a)(l) The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start programs assisted under this subchapter. Except as provided in paragraph (2), such criteria may provide (A) that children from low-income families shall be eligible for participation in programs assisted under this subchapter if their families' incomes are below the poverty line, or if their families are eligible or, in the absence of child care, would potentially be eligible for public assistance; and (B) pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, that programs assisted under this subchapter may include, to a reasonable extent, participation of children in the area served who would benefit from such programs but whose families do not meet the low-income criteria prescribed pursuant to clause (A).
(2) Whenever a Head Start program is operated in a community with a population of 1,000 or less individuals and-
(A) there is no other preschool program in the community;(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §254c(b) (3)] and is located in a health professional shortage area, as designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 332(a) (1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. S254e(a) (1)];
(B) the community is located in a medically underserved area, as designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 330(b)
Page 22 - HEAD START ACT, AS AMENDED (5/18/94)(C) the community is in a location which, by reason of remoteness, does not permit reasonable access to the types of services described in clauses (A) and (B); andthe Head Start program in such locality shall establish the criteria for eligibility, except that no child residing in such community whose family is eligible under such eligibility criteria shall, by virtue of such project's eligibility criteria, be denied an opportunity to participate in such program. During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Human Services Reauthorization Act and ending on October 1, 1994, and unless specificially authorized in any statute of the United States enacted after such date, of, enactment, the Secretary may not make any change in the method, as in effect on April 25, 1984, of calculating income used to prescribe eligibility for the participation of persons in the Head Start programs assisted under this subchapter if such change would result in any reduction in, or exclusion from, participation of persons in any of such programs.
(D) not less than 50 percent of the families to be served in the community are eligibl.e under the eligibility criteria established by the Secretary under parag-raph (1);(b) The Secretary shall not prescribe any fee schedule or otherwise provide for the charging of any fees for participation in Head Start programs, unless such fees are authorized by legislation hereafter enacted. Nothing- in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the families of children who participate in Head Start programs and who are willing and able to pay the full cost of such participation from doing so.(2) The Indian tribe shall enroll the children in the Head Start program in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary may specify by regulation promulgated after consultation with Indian tribes.
(c) Each Head Start program operated in a community shall be permitted to provide more than 1 year of Head Start services to eligible children (age 3 to compulsory school attendance) in the State.
(d) (1) An Indian tribe that--(A) operates a Head Start program;
(B) enrolls as participants in the program all children in the community served by the tribe (including a community with a near-reservation designation, as defined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs) from families that meet the low-income criteria prescribed under subsection (a)(1)(A); and.
(C) has the resources to enroll additional children in the community who do not meet the low-income criteria; may enroll such additional- children in a Head Start program, in accordance with this subsection, if the program predominantly serves children who meet the low-income criteria.(3) In providing services through a Head Start program to such children, the Indian tribe may not use funds that the-Secretary has determined, in accordance with section 640(g) (3), are to be used for expanding Head Start programs under this subchapter.
PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS Sec. 645A. (a) IN GENERAL.-- The Secretary shall make grants, in accordance with the provisions of this section for- (1) programs providing family-centered services for low-income families with very young children designed to promote the development of the children, and to enable their parents to fulfill their roles as parents and to move toward self-sufficiency; and
(2) provision of training and technical assistance to entities carrying out programs, and evaluation of programs, that were supported under the Comprehensive Child Development Act (42 U.S.C. 9881 et seq.), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this section.
(b) SCOPE AND DESIGN OF PROGRAMS.-- In carrying out a program described in subsection (a), an entity receiving assistance under this section shall-(1) provide, either directly or through referral, early, continuous, - intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services that will enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of participating - children;(c) PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.-- Persons who may participate in programs described in subsection (a) (1) include--
(2) ensure that the level of services provided to families responds to their needs and circumstances;
(3) promote positive parent-child interactions;
(4) provide services to parents to support their role as parents and to help the families move toward self-sufficiency (including educational and employment services as appropriate);
(5) coordinate services with services provided by programs in the State and programs in the community to ensure a comprehensive array of services (such as health and mental health services);
(6) ensure formal linkages with local Head Start programs in order to provide for continuity of services for children and families;
(7) in the case of a Head Start agency that operates a program and that also provides Head Start services through the age of mandatory school attendance, ensure that children and families participating in the program receive such services through such age; and
(8) meet such other requirements concerning design and operation of the program described in subsection (a) as the Secretary may establish.(1) pregnant women; andwho meet the income criteria specified for families in section 645(a) (1).
(2) families with children under age 3 (or under age 5, in the case of children served by an entity specified in subsection (e) (3));(d) ELIGIBLE SERVICE PROVIDERS.-- To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Entities that may apply to carry out activities under this section include-
(1) entities operating Head Start programs under this subchapter;(e) TIME-LIMITED PRIORITY FOR CERTAIN ENTITIES.-
(2) entities that, on the day before the date of enactment of this section, were operating--(A) Parent-Child Centers receiving financial assistance under section 640(a) (4), as in effect on such date; or(3) other public entities, and nonprofit private entities, capable of providing child and family services that meet the standards for participation in programs under this subchapter and meet such other appropriate requirements relating to the activities, under this section as the Secretary may establish.
(B) programs receiving financial assistance under the Comprehensive Child Development Act, as in effect on such date; and(1) IN GENERAL.-- From amounts allotted pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 640(a), the Secretary shall provide financial assistance in accordance with paragraphs (2) through (4).
(2) PARENT-CHILD CENTERS.-- The Secretary shall make financial assistance available under this section for each of fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997 to any entity that--(A) complies with subsection (b); and(3) COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.-
(B) received funding as a Parent-Child Center pursuant to section 640(a) (4), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this section, for fiscal year 1994.
(A) In the case of an entity that received a grant for fiscal year 1994 to operate a project under the Comprehensive Child Development Act, the Secretary-
(i) shall make financial assistance available under this section, in a comparable amount and scope to the assistance provided for fiscal year 1994, for the duration of the project period specified in the grant award to such entity under such Act; and
(B) In the case of an entity that received a grant for fiscal year 1989 to operate a project under the Comprehensive Child Development Act, the Secretary shall make assistance available under this section for each of fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997 to any entity that complies with subsection (b).
(ii) shall permit such entity, in carrying out activities assisted under this section, to serve children from birth through age 5.
(4) EVALUATIONS, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.-- The Secretary shall make financial assistance available under this section as necessary to provide for the evaluation of, and furnishing of training and technical assistance to, programs specified in paragraph (3) (A).
(f) SELECTION OF OTHER GRANT RECIPIENTS.-- From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 640(a) (6), after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e), the Secretary shall award grants under this subsection on a competitive basis to applicants meeting the criteria specified in subsection (d) (giving priority to entities with a record of providing early, continuous, and comprehensive childhood development and family services).(g) DISTRIBUTION.-- In awarding grants to eligible applicants under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) ensure an equitable national geographic distribution of the grants; and(h) SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
(2) award grants to applicants proposing to serve communities in rural areas and to applicants proposing to serve communities in urban areas.(1) GUIDELINES.-- Not later than September 30, 1994, the Secretary shall develop program guidelines concerning the content and operation of programs assisted under this section-
(A) in consultation with experts in early childhood development, experts in health, and experts in family services; and
(2) STANDARDS.-- Not later than December 30, 1994, the Secretary shall develop and publish performance standards for programs assisted under this section, and a grant announcement based on the guidelines developed under paragraph (1).
(B) taking into consideration the knowledge and experience gained from other early childhood programs, including programs under the Comprehensive Child Development Act, and from migrant Head Start programs that serve a large number of infants and toddlers.
(3) MONITORING, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND EVALUATION.-- In order to ensure the successful operation of programs assisted under this section, the Secretary shall use funds from the balance described in subsection (f) to monitor the operation of such programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such programs.
APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING Sec. 646. [42 U.S.C. 9841) (a) The Secretary shall prescribe procedures to assure that - (1) special notice of and an opportunity for a timely and expeditious appeal to the Secretary will be provided for an agency or organization which desires to serve as a delegate agency under this subchapter and whose application to the Head start agency has been wholly or substantially rejected or has not been acted upon within a period of time deemed reasonable by the Secretary, in accordance with regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe;
(2) financial assistance under this subchapter shall not be suspended, except in emergency situations, unless the recipient agency has been given reasonable notice and opportunity to show cause why such action should not be taken;
(3) financial assistance under this subchapter shall not be terminated or reduced, an application for refunding shall not be denied, and a suspension of financial assistance shall not be continued for longer than 30 days, unless the recipient has been afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a full and fair hearing; and
(4) the Secretary shall develop and publish procedures C including mediation procedures) to be used in order to--
(A) resolve in a timely manner conflicts potentially leading to adverse action between--
(b) In prescribing procedures for the mediation described in subsection (a)(4), the Secretary shall specify-(i) recipients of financial assistance under this subchapter; and
(B) avoid the need for an administrative hearing on an adverse action.
(ii) delegate agencies or Head Start Parent Policy Councils; and
(l) the date by which a Head Start agency engaged in a conflict described in subsection (a) (4) will notify the appropriate regional office of the Department of the conflict; andC) The Secretary shall also specify--
(2) a reasonable period for the mediation.(l) a timeline for an administrative hearing, if necessary, on an adverse action; and(d) In any case in which a termination, reduction, or suspension of financial assistance under this subchapter is upheld in an administrative hearing under this section, such termination, reduction, or suspension shall not be stayed pending any judicial appeal of such administrative decision.
(2) a timeline by which the person conducting the administrative hearing shall issue a decision based on the hearing.(e) (l) The Secretary shall by regulation specify a process by which an Indian tribe may identify and establish an alternative agency, and request that the alternative agency be designated under section 641 as the Head Start agency providing services to the tribe, if-
(A) the Secretary terminates financial assistance under section 646 to the only agency that was receiving financial assistance to provide Head Start services to the Indian tribe; and(2) The regulation required by this subsection shall prohibit such designation of an alternative agency that includes an employee who-
(B) the tribe would otherwise be precluded from providing such services to the members of the tribe.(A) served on the administrative staff or program staff of the agency described in paragraph (1) (A); andas determined by the Secretary after providing the notice and opportunity described in subsection (a) (3).
(B) was responsible for a deficiency that--(i) relates to the performance standards or financial management standards described in section 641A (a) (l); and
(ii) was the basis for the termination of financial assistance described in paragraph (l) (A);RECORDS AND AUDITS Sec. 647. [42 U.S.C. 9842) (a) Each recipient of financial assistance under this subchapter shall keep such records as the Secretary shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such financial assistance, the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such financial assistance is given or used, the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit. (b) The Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipients that are pertinent to the financial assistance received under this subchapter.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING Sec. 648. [42 U.S.C. 9843] (a) The Secretary shall provide, directly or through grants or other arrangements (1) technical assistance to communities in developing, conducting, and administering programs under this subchapter; and (2) training for specialized or other personnel needed in connection with Head Start programs, in accordance with the process, and the provisions for allocating resources, set forth in subsections (b) and (c).
(b) The process for determining the technical assistance and training activities to be carried out under this section shall-
(l) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies and programs relating to improving program quality and to program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent feasible; and(c) In allocating resources for technical assistance and training under this section, the Secretary shall-
(2) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining input from the individuals and agencies carrying out Head Start programs.(1) give priority consideration to activities to correct program and management deficiencies identified through reviews pursuant to section 64lACc) Cincluding the provision of assistance to local programs in the development of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2));(d) The Secretary may provide, either directly or through grants to public or private nonprofit entities, training for Head Start personnel in the use of the performing and visual arts and interactive programs using electronic media to enhance the learning experience of Head Start children. Special consideration shall be given to entities that have demonstrated effectiveness in educational programming for preschool children that includes components for parental involvement, care provider training, and developmentally appropriate related activities.
(2) address the training and career development needs of classroom staff C including instruction for providing services to children with disabilities) and nonclassroom staff, including home visitors and other staff working directly with families, including training relating to increasing parent involvement and services designed to increase family literacy and improve parenting skills;
(3) assist Head Start agencies and programs in conducting and participating in communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment:
(4) assist Head Start agencies and programs in developing full-working-day and full-calendar-year programs where community need is clearly identified and making the transition to such programs, with particular attention to involving parents and programming for children throughout a longer day;
(5) assist Head Start agencies in better serving the needs of families with very young children;
(6) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the development of sound management practices, including financial management procedures; and
(7) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate facilities for Head Start programs; and
(8) assist Head Start agencies in developing innovative program models, including mobile and home-based programs.(e) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through grants or other arrangements, funds from programs authorized under this subchapter to support an organization to administer a centralized child development and national assessment program leading to recognized credentials for personnel working in early childhood development and child care programs, training for personnel providing services to non-English language background children, training for personnel in helping children cope with community violence, and resource access projects for personnel working with disabled children.
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT Sec. 648A. (a) CLASSROOM TEACHERS.-
(1) DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.-- The Secretary shall ensure that not later than September 30, 1996, each Head Start classroom in a center-based program is assigned one teacher who has-
(A) a child development associate (CDA) credential that is appropriate to the age of the children being served in center-based programs;
(2) WAIVER.-- On request, the Secretary shall grant a 180-day waiver of the requirements of paragraph (1) with respect to an individual who--
(B) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child development associate credential;
(C) an associate, a baccalaureate, or an advanced degree in early childhood education; or
(D) a degree in a field related to early childhood education with experience in teaching preschool children and a State-;awarded certificate to teach in a preschool program.(A) is first employed after September 30, 1996, by a Head Start agency as a teacher for a Head Start classroom;
(3) LIMITATION.- The Secretary may not grant more than one such waiver with respect to such individual.
(B) is enrolled in a program that grants any credential, certificate, or degree specified in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1); and (C) will receive such credential under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency.(b) MENTOR TEACHERS.-
(1) DEFINITION; FUNCTION.-- For purposes of this subsection, the term "mentor teacher" means an individual responsible for observing and assessing the classroom activities of a Head Start program and providing on-the-job guidance and training to the Head Start program staff and volunteers, in order to improve the qualifications and training of classroom staff, to maintain high quality education services, and to promote career development, in Head Start programs.
(2) REQUIREMENT.-- In order to assist Head Start agencies in establishing positions for mentor teachers, the Secretary shall-
(A) provide technical assistance and training to enable Head Start agencies to establish such positions;
(c) FAMILY SERVICE WORKERS.-- In order to improve the quality and effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services (including needs assessment, development of service plans, family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery) to families of children participating in Head Start programs, the Secretary, in coordination with concerned public and private agencies and organizations examining the issues of standards and training for family service workers, shall-
(B) give priority consideration, in providing assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A), to Head Start programs that have substantial numbers of new classroom staff, that are experiencing difficulty in meeting applicable education standards, or that lack staff of a similar cultural background to that of the participating children and their families;
(C) encourage Head Start programs to give priority consideration for such positions to Head Start teachers at the appropriate level of career advancement in such programs; and
(D) promote the development of model curricula, designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies of mentor teachers in Head Start programs.(1) review and, as necessary, revise or develQp new qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such services;
(d) HEAD START FELLOWSHIPS.-
(2) promote the development of model curricula (on subjects including parenting training and family literacy) designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies by individuals working or planning to work in the field of early childhood and family services; and
(3) promote the establishment of a credential that 'indicates attainment of the competencies and that is accepted nationwide.(1) AUTHORITY.-- The Secretary may establish a program of fellowships, to be known as 'Head Start Fellowships', in accordance with this subsection. The Secretary may award the fellowships to individuals, to be known as 'Head Start Fellows', who are staff in local Head Start programs or other individuals working in the field of child development and family services.
(2) PURPOSE.-- The fellowship program established under this subsection shall be designed to enhance the ability of Head Start Fellows to make significant contributions to programs authorized under this subchapter, by providing opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience through exposure to activities, issues, resources, and new approaches, in the field of child development and family services.
(3) ASSIGNMENTS OF FELLOWS.-
(A) PLACEMENT SITES.-- Fellowship positions under the fellowship program may be located (subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C))-
(4) SELECTION OF FELLOWS.-- Head Start Fellowships shall be awarded on a competitive basis to individuals (other than Federal employees) selected from among applicants who are working, on the date of application, in local Head Start programs or otherwise working in the field of child development and children and family services.(i) in agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services administering programs authorized under this subchapter (in national or regional offices of such agencies);(B) LIMITATION FOR FELLOWS OTHER THAN HEAD START EMPLOYEES.-- A Head Start Fellow who is not an employee of a local Head Start agency or program may be placed only in a fellowship position located in an agency or program specified in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(ii) in local Head Start agencies and programs;
(iii) in institutions of higher education;
(iv) in public or private entities and organizations concerned with services to children and families; and
(v) in other appropriate settings.
(C) NO PLACEMENT IN LOBBYING ORGANIZATIONS.-- Head Start Fellowship positions may not be located in any agency whose primary purpose, or one of whose major purposes, is to influence Federal, State, or local legislation.(5) DURATION.-- Head Start Fellowships shall be for terms of 1 year, and may be renewed for a term of 1 additional year.
(6) AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES.-- From amounts appropriated under this subchapter and allotted under section 640(a) (2) (D), the Secretary is authorized to make expenditures of not to exceed $1,000,000 for any fiscal year, for stipends and other reasonable expenses of the fellowship program.
(7) STATUS OF FELLOWS.-- Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Head Start Fellows shall not be considered to be employees or otherwise in the service or employment of the Federal Government. Head Start Fellows shall be considered to be employees for purposes of compensation for injuries under chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code. Head Start Fellows assigned to positions located in agencies specified in paragraph (3) (A) (i) shall be considered employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government for the purposes of chapter 12. of title 18, United States Code, and for purposes of any administrative standards of conduct applicable to the employees of the agency to which they are assigned.
(8) REGULATIONS.-- The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
(e) MODEL STAFFING PLANS.-- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate public agencies, private agencies, and organizations and with individuals with expertise in the field of children and family services, shall develop model staffing plans to provide guidance to local Head Start agencies and programs on the numbers, types, responsibilities, and qualifications of staff required to operate a Head Start program.
RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION Sec. 649. (a) IN GENERAL.-- (1) REQUIREMENT; GENERAL PURPOSES.-- The Secretary shall carry out a continuing program of research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, in order to--
(A) foster continuous improvement in the quality of the Head Start programs under this subchapter and in their effectiveness in enabling participating children and their families to succeed in school and otherwise; and
(2) PLAN.-- The Secretary shall develop, and periodically update, a plan governing the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under this section.
(B) use the Head Start programs to develop, test, and disseminate new ideas and approaches for addressing the needs of low-income preschool children (including children with disabilities) and their families and communities (including demonstrations of innovative noncenter-based program models such as home-based and mobile programs), and otherwise to further the purposes of this subchapter.(b) CONDUCT OF RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES.-- The Secretary, in order to conduct research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under this section--
(1) may carry out such activities directly, or through grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, public or private entities;
(c) CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION.-- In carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary shall-
(2) shall, to the extent appropriate, undertake such activities in collaboration with other Federal agencies, and with non-Federal agencies, conducting similar activities;
(3) shall ensure that evaluation of activities in a specific program or project is conducted by persons not directly involved in the operation of such program or project;
(4) may require Head Start agencies to provide for independent evaluations;
(5) may approve, in appropriate cases, community-based cooperative research and evaluation efforts to enable Head Start programs to collaborate with qualified researchers not directly involved in program administration or operation; and
(6) may collaborate with organizations with expertise in inclusive educational strategies for preschoolers with disabilities.(1) consult with-
(d) SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.--The research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under this subchapter shall include components designed to--
(A) individuals from relevant academic disciplines;
(2) whenever feasible and appropriate, obtain the views of persons participating in and served by programs and projects assisted under this subchapter with respect to activities under this section; and
(B) individuals who are involved in the operation of Head Start programs and individuals who are involved in the operation of other child and family service programs; and
(C) individuals from other Federal agencies, and individuals from organizations, involved with children and families, ensuring that the individuals described in this subparagraph reflect the multicultural nature of the children and families served by the Head Start programs and the multidisciplinary nature of the Head Start programs;
(3) establish, to the extent appropriate, working relationships with the faculties of institutions of higher education, as defined in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)), located in the area in which any evaluation under this section is being conducted, unless there is no such institution of higher education willing and able to participate in such evaluation.
(1) permit ongoing assessment of the quality and effectiveness of the programs under this subchapter;
(e) LONGITUDINAL STUDIES.-- In developing priorities for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to longitudinal studies that--
(2) contribute to developing knowledge concerning factors associated with the quality and effectiveness of Head Start programs and in identifying ways in which services provided under this subchapter may be improved;
(3) assist in developing knowledge concerning the factors that promote or inhibit healthy development and effective functioning of children and their families both during and following participation in a Head Start program;
(4) permit comparisons of children and families participating in Head Start programs with children and families receiving other child care, early childhood education, or child development services and with other appropriate control groups;
(5) contribute to understanding the characteristics and needs of population groups eligible for services provided under this subchapter and the impact of such services on the individuals served and the communities in which such services are provided;
(6) provide for disseminating and promoting the use of the findings from such research, demonstration, and evaluation activities; and
(7) promote exploration of areas in which knowledge is insufficient, and that will otherwise contribute to fulfilling the purposes of this subchapter.(1) examine the developmental progress of children and their families both during and following participation in a Head Start program, including the examination of factors that contribute to or detract from such progress;
(f) OWNERSHIP OF RESULTS.-- The Secretary shall take necessary steps to ensure that all studies, reports, proposals, and data produced or developed with Federal funds under this subchapter shall become the property of the United States.
(2) examine factors related to improving the quality of the Head Start programs and the preparation the programs provide for children and their families to function effectively in schools and other settings in the years following participation in such a program; and
(3) as appropriate, permit comparison of children and families participating in Head Start programs with children and families receiving other child care, early childhood education, or child development services, and with other appropriate control groups.REPORTS Sec. 650. (42 U.S.C. §9846] Atleast once during every 2-year period, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a report concerning the status of children (including disabled and non-English language background children) in Head Start programs, including the number of children and the services being provided to such children. Such report shall include- (1) a statement f or the then most recently concluded fiscal year specifying--
(A) the amount of funds received by Head Start agencies designated under section 641 to provide Head Start services in a period before such fiscal year; and
(2) a description of the distribution of Head Start services relative to the distribution of children who are eligible to participate in Head Start programs, including geographic distribution within States;
(B) the amount of funds received by Head Start agencies newly designated under section 641 to provide such services in such fiscal year;(3) a statement identifying how funds expended under section 640(a) (2), and funds allotted under section 640(a) (3), were distributed and used at national, regional, and local levels;
(4) a statement specifying the amount of funds provided by the State, and by local sources, to carry out Head Start programs;
(5) cost per child and how such cost varies by region;
(6) a description of the level and nature of participation of parents in Head Start programs as volunteers and in other capacities;
(7) information concerning Head Start staff, including salaries, education, training, experience, and staff turnover;
(8) information concerning children participating in programs that receive Head Start funding, including information on family income, racial and ethnic background, disability, and receipt of benefits under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act;
(9) the use and source of funds to extend Head Start services to operate full-day and year round;
(10) using data from the monitoring conducted under section 641A(c) -
(A) a description of the extent to which programs funded under this subchapter comply with performance standards and regulations in effect under this subchapter;
(11) the information contained in the documents entitled "Program Information Report" and "Head Start Cost Analyses System" (or any document similar to either), prepared with respect to Head Start programs;
(B) a description of the types and conditions of facilities in which such programs are located;
(C) the types of organizations that receive Head Start funds under such programs; and
(D) the number of children served under each program option;(12) a description of the types of services provided to children and their families, both on-site and through referrals, including health, mental health, dental care, parenting education, physical fitness, and literacy training;
(13) a summary of information concerning the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities conducted under section 649, including--
(A) a status report on ongoing activities; and
(14) a study of the delivery of Head Start programs to Indian children living on and near Indian reservations, to children of Alaskan Natives, and to children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(B) results, conclusions, and recommendations, not included in any previous report, based on completed activities; andPromptly after submitting such report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice indicating that such report is available to the public and specifying how such report may be obtained.
COMPARABILITY OF WAGES Sec. 653. [42 U.S.C. 98481 The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to assure that persons employed in carrying out programs financed under this subchapter shall not receive compensation at a rate which is (1) in excess of the average rate of compensation paid in the area where the program is carried out to a substantial number of persons providing substantially comparable services, or in excess of the average rate of compensation paid to a substantial number of the persons providing substantially comparable services in the area of the person's immediately preceding employment, whichever is higher; or (2) less than the minimum wage rate prescribed in section 6(a) (1) of the Fair. Labor Standards Act of 1938. The Secretary shall encourage Head Start agencies to provide compensation according to salary scales that are based on training and experience. NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS Sec. 654. [42 U.S.C. 9849] (a) The Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program, project, or activity under this subchapter unless the grant or contract with respect thereto specifically provides that no person with responsibilities in the operation thereof will discriminate with respect to any such program, project, or activity because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs. (b) No person in the United States shall on the ground of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be
subjected to discrimination under, or be denied employment in connection with any program or activity receiving assistance under this subchapter. The Secretary shall enforce the provisions of the preceding sentence in accordance with section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Section 603 of such Act shall apply with respect to any action taken by the Secretary to enforce such sentence. This section shall not be construed as affecting any other legal remedy that a person may have if such person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied employment in connection with, any program, project, or activity receiving assistance under this subchapter.(c) The Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program, project, or activity under this subchapter unless the grant or contract relating to the financial assistance specifically provides that no person with responsibilities in the operation of the program, project, or activity will discriminate against any individual because of a handicapping condition in violation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES Sec. 655. (42 U.S.C. 9850] No individual employed or assigned by any Head Start agency or other agency assisted under this subchapter shall, pursuant to or during the performance of services rendered in connection with any program or activity conducted or assisted under this subchapter by such Head Start agency or such other agency, plan, initiate, participate in, or otherwise aid or assist in the conduct of any unlawful demonstration, rioting, or civil disturbance.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES Sec. 656. (42 U.S.C. 9851] (a) For purposes of chapter 15 of title 5, United States Code, any agency which assumes responsibility for planning, developing, and coordinating Head Start programs and receives assistance under this subchapter shall be deemed to be a State or local agency. For purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of section 150(a) of such title, any agency receiving assistance under this subchapter shall be deemed to be a State or local agency. (b) Programs assisted under this subchapter shall not be carried on in a manner involving the use of program funds, the provision of services, or the employment or assignment of personnel in a manner supporting or resulting in the identification of such programs with (1) any partisan or nonpartisan political activity or any other political activity associated with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an election for public or party office; (2) any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election; or (3) any voter registration activity. The Secretary, after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, shall issue rules and regulations to provide for the enforcement of this section, which shall include provisions for summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to permit enforcement on an emergency basis.
ADVANCE FUNDING Sec. 657. (42 U.S.C. 9852) For the purpose of affording adequate notice of funding available under this subchapter, appropriations for carrying out this subchapter are authorized to be included in an appropriation Act for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which they are available for obligation. CONSULTATION WITH THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Sec. 657A. The Secretary shall consult with the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service regarding the dissemination of information about the Corporation's programs, to programs that receive funds under this subchapter. The Human Services Amendments of 1994 provisions regarding Head Start which are not amendments to the Head Start Act:
SEC. 120. STUDY OF BENEFITS FOR HEAD START EMPLOYEES (a) STUDY.-- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study regarding the benefits available to individuals employed by Head Start agencies under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).
(b) REPORT.-
(1) PREPARATION.-- The Secretary shall prepare a report, containing the results of the study, that-
(A) describes the benefits, including health care benefits, family and medical leave, and retirement pension benefits, available to such individuals;
(2) SUBMISSION.-- The Secretary shall submit the report to the appropriate committees of Congress.
(B) includes recommendations for increasing the access of the individuals to benefits, including access to a retirement pension program; and
(C) addresses the feasibility of participation by such individuals in the Federal Employees' Retirement System under chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code.SEC. 126. STUDY OF FULL-DAY AND FULL-YEAR HEAD START PROGRAMS (a) STUDY.-- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study of the extent to which Head Start programs are addressing the need for Head Start services during a full-working-day or full-calendar-year among eligible low-income families with preschool children.
(b) REPORT.-- The Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate not later than January 31, 1997, containing the results of the study, including--
(1) the number of eligible children in need of full-day or full-year Head Start programs;
(2) the number of full-day, full-year Head Start programs and the number of children served in such program[s] and those provided full-day or full-year services through cooperative arrangements with other funding sources;
(3) a description of promising models currently employed by Head Start programs for meeting such needs both directly and through arrangements with other service providers;
(4) a description of the barriers to meeting the need for full-day, full-year care among such families; and
(5) recommendations on how the barriers could be eliminated in order to meet the needs of children and families served.SEC. 127. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION (a) EFFECTIVE DATE.-- This title, and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this title. >(b) APPLICATION.-- The requirements of this title and the amendments made by this title shall not apply to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act until October 1, 1994.
* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1996- 815 032 26017