Purpose The purpose of the Delaware Head Start State Collaboration Project is to serve as a liaison between the regional office, Head Start grantees and state agencies providing services to low-income families.

Mission The mission of the Collaboration Project is to create a visible presence for Head Start at the state level in policymaking, partnerships, initiatives, and decisions that affect low-income children and their families.

Goals

• To coordinate with and support the implementation of Early Success, Delaware's early care and education system;
• To ensure Head Start participation in state level initiatives related to educational opportunities, childcare, inclusion, health, literacy, community services, welfare reform, and homelessness;
• To facilitate the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting the Head Start eligible population and other low-income families related to dental services, mental health services, and services to children with disabilities.

Priority Areas

1. Activities Relating to Children with Disabilities
2. Child Care
3. Community Service Activities
4. Education
5. Family Literacy Services
6. Health Care
7. Services for Homeless Children
8. Welfare

Funding Delaware is a Wave III grant, which was funded in 1996. The current federal funding level is $125,000 per annum.

Reports and Assessments  Each year, the ECAP program evaluates its ability to help children develop appropriately, and assist families in meeting self-identified goals.

• 2009 Head Start Needs Assessment
  • 2009 Needs Assessment Report
  • 2009 Needs Assessment - Executive Summary
  • Appendices - Available Upon Request  aaddison@doe.k12.de.us

Eligibility and Enrollment

• Children from birth to age five with low income are eligible for Head Start, Early Head Start, and ECAP services. The poverty guidelines are found at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/06poverty.shtml
• Head Start Brochure - English
• Head Start Brochure - Spanish
• 2009 Income Guidelines
• PIR - Head Start
• PIR - ECAP

Go to the program directory for contact information. Your local Head Start or ECAP program will provide the required forms, answer questions about the program, and help you find the program closest to your home.

Contact Information
For additional information about the Collaboration Project, please contact:

April Hill-Addison
Head Start State Collaboration Director
Department of Educati
Townsend Building
401 Federal St., Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 735-4210
Fax: (302) 739-2388
Email: aaddison@doe.k12.de.us