National Network of Head Start Resource Access Projects
Head Start is the largest community-based, mainstream early childhood setting for all children, including those with disabilities, and is a source of pride to our nation. Head Start has been serving children with disabilities since 1965 and has been assisted in this effort by Resource Access Projects (RAPs) since 1975. The understanding and commitment to enhancing the potential of and providing the best services to children with disabilities and their families in Head Start has grown. RAPs have assisted grantees with the full inclusion of children with disabilities by providing the training and technical assistance necessary to support them in their efforts in the classroom, family, and community.
Head Start has played an important role in the implementation of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142), the extension of services to three- and four-year-old children and infant/toddler program planning (P.L. 99-457), and the reauthorization and extension of those services in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 102-119).
The RAPs have seen increased involvement with the Head Start community in many ways. Service needs continue to increase with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, increased substance abuse problems affecting young children, and with the inclusion of children with more severe disabilities. RAPs are responsible for facilitating State and local agreements to assure the best services for families and children, and this cooperation exists between Head Start grantees and other agencies. The request for facilitation of local interagency agreements is increasing as State level agreements are implemented, updated, and revised in response to the recently published Performance Standards for Services to Children with Disabilities in Head Start.
The RAP network has extended its working relationships with many professional groups. The RAPs' role as a representative of Head Start in these collaborative ventures has increased the visibility of and respect for Head Start and the skills of those working in programs across the country. RAPs collaborate on training conferences with:
Head Start programs should contact their RAPs to learn more about opportunities to secure training and information from these organizations.
- State Departments of Education
- Divisions of Developmental Disabilities
- State Associations for the Education of Young Children
- State Divisions for Early Childhood
- Council for Exceptional Children chapters
- State Head Start Collaboration Grant Projects
- Governor's Offices
- University Affiliated Programs
- State Head Start Associations
- Head Start Resource Centers
- Regional Resource Centers
- National Training Centers (NEC*TAS, Chapter I Technical Assistance Centers, National Training Center for Drug-exposed and HIV-infected Children),
- And private, local, State, and Federally funded programs.
The pressures of expansion on grantees has increased the need for training which in turn increases the demand for training and technical assistance services. RAP training is provided at national, regional, State, cluster, and individual local program sites. RAPs model best practices in training and make every effort to provide On-site services, individualized for each program with follow up support to the staff. Follow up is now provided through classroom visits, the provision of resources, networking opportunities, phone calls, letters, and additional training.
The National Network of Head Start RAPs looks forward to the challenge of assisting grantees in becoming community leaders in providing comprehensive child development services to all children and their families.