We have answers.

• Will my child have to change centers?
• Will I loose my slot in the program or have to reenroll?
• Will transportation be the same?
• Will our teacher/ home visitor/ family service worker change?
• Will the program approach (i.e., curriculum) change?
• What happens to our Policy Council?

 

Will my child have to change centers?

A goal of CDI HS is to keep the program operating out of the same facilities when possible. CDI HS strives to maintain stability in the program during the transition through continuity of services. CDI HS team members will be visiting each center to evaluate whether or not it meets health and safety standards. The health and safety of children, families and staff come first and only facilities that ensure this will be opened by CDI HS. In rare cases a center will be relocated due to challenges with negotiating a lease. CDI HS also has to obtain permission from state child care licensing to open prior to our first day; on occasion, there are circumstances that prohibit this from happening.

If a change in center location does occur, families will be notified with as much advance notice as possible.

We recognize that a child’s learning environment is just as important as the quality of staff leading those experiences. Part of a quality learning environment is feeling safe which is influenced by familiar surroundings.

back to top

Will I loose my slot in the program or have to reenroll?

No. CDI HS maintains services for the same children/families currently enrolled in the Head Start/Early Head Start program. We do not require reenrollment under CDI HS because the program has not changed, only the sponsorship. This is another example of how CDI HS supports continuity of services.

back to top

Will transportation be the same?

Our goal is to provide continuity through operating the same bus routes as the prior grantee had in place upon transition to CDI HS. If transportation for children is provided in the program, CDI HS immediately begins working on gaining authorization to use the buses. In some cases we find that the buses are not safe to transport children or we cannot get access to them; this may cause us to temporarily stop one or more of the bus routes. If the safety of a bus is in question, CDI HS will not use this bus until all inspections/repairs can be completed. In these circumstances families, with the assistance from family services staff, will be asked to find their own way of bringing their children to the centers affected (e.g., carpooling).

If a change in transportation services does occur, families will be notified with as much advance notice as possible.

CDI HS recognizes that a child’s regular attendance greatly influences his/her success in Head Start/Early Head Start. We are committed to fostering these quality experiences through supporting parents in transportation as cost and program design permit.

back to top

Will our teacher/ home visitor/ family service worker change?

CDI HS tries to maintain as many of the current staff as possible. As parts of stable program operations and continuity of services, CDI HS recognizes that consistency in staff is advantageous.

CDI HS agrees that quality services are a direct result of the relationships developed between staff, children and families.

An offer of employment is not promised nor is it guaranteed. If offered employment, it is their choice whether or not to accept the offer; this is not automatic. There are some circumstances under which CDI HS needs to advertise a position rather than offering employment to the individual previously in that position.

back to top

Will the program approach (i.e., curriculum) change?

Changing the curriculum would have large scale impacts on the program and is not conducive to stabilizing operations. If the program has selected/developed a curriculum that meets the Head Start Program Performance Standards then no changes will be made. However, if the program does not have a curriculum, or the curriculum does not meet Head Start standards, CDI HS will support staff in selecting a quality one that is appropriate for the community served, is aligned with early childhood education best practices, and meets the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

back to top

What happens to our Policy Council?

CDI HS will have a Policy Council elected soon after our administration begins. The Policy Council elected under the prior grantee is associated with their board of directors and responsibilities end with their administration. Under CDI HS’s governing board a new Policy Council will be elected. Elections will be held through the Parent Committees and in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Parents may elect the same Policy Council representative if they choose. However, any Policy Council Members who served on the previous board of directors are not eligible to serve on the CDI HS Policy Council.

CDI HS values the contribution of parents and communities members; a quality program needs their input and support. Head Start/Early Head Start is designed to empower parents and community as contributors and CDI HS intendeds to uphold this commitment.

back to top