To be designated as a Head Start agency under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority under its charter or applicable law to receive and administer funds under this subchapter, funds and contributions from private or local public sources that may be used in support of a Head Start program, and funds under any Federal or State assistance program pursuant to which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency (as the case may be) organized in accordance with this subchapter, could act as grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall also be empowered to transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers to other agencies, subject to the powers of its governing board and its overall program responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and delegate powers shall include the power to make transfers and delegations covering component projects in all cases where this will contribute to efficiency and effectiveness or otherwise further program objectives.
To be so designated, a Head Start agency shall, at a minimum, do all the following to involve and serve families and communities:
Upon receiving designation as a Head Start agency, the agency shall establish and maintain a formal structure for program governance, for the oversight of quality services for Head Start children and families and for making decisions related to program design and implementation. Such structure shall include the following:
The governing body shall have legal and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start agency.
The governing body shall be composed as follows:
Members of the governing body shall-
If an individual holds a position as a result of public election or political appointment, and such position carries with it a concurrent appointment to serve as a member of a Head Start agency governing body, and such individual has any conflict of interest described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (C)-
The governing body shall-
Consistent with paragraph (1)(E), each Head Start agency shall have a policy council responsible for the direction of the Head Start program, including program design and operation, and long- and short-term planning goals and objectives, taking into account the annual communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment and self-assessment.
Members of the policy council shall-
The policy council shall approve and submit to the governing body decisions about each of the following activities:
Each delegate agency shall create a policy committee, which shall-
The Secretary shall develop policies, procedures, and guidance for Head Start agencies concerning-
Each Head Start agency shall ensure the sharing of accurate and regular information for use by the governing body and the policy council, about program planning, policies, and Head Start agency operations, including-
Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be provided to the members of the governing body and the policy council to ensure that the members understand the information the members receive and can effectively oversee and participate in the programs of the Head Start agency.
To be so designated, a Head Start agency shall collaborate and coordinate with public and private entities, to the maximum extent practicable, to improve the availability and quality of services to Head Start children and families, including carrying out the following activities:
To be so designated, each Head Start agency shall-
Each Head Start agency shall enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment and maintain an active waiting list at all times with ongoing outreach to the community and activities to identify underserved populations.
In order to receive funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall develop an annual technical assistance and training plan. Such plan shall be based on the agency's self-assessment, the communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment, the needs of parents and children to be served by such agency, and the results of the reviews conducted under section 9836a(c) of this title.
In order to receive funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall document strong fiscal controls, including the employment of well-qualified fiscal staff with a history of successful management of a public or private organization.
42 U.S.C. § 9837
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(14), (15), and (e)(3), is title VI of Pub. L. 91-230, Apr. 13, 1970, 84 Stat. 175. Part C of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§1431 et seq.) of chapter 33 of Title 20, Education. Section 619 of the Act is classified to section 1419 of Title 20. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1400 of Title 20 and Tables.The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is subchapter C (§658A et seq.) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97-35 as added by Pub. L. 101-508, title V, §5082(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-236, which is classified generally to subchapter II-B (§9857 et seq.) of chapter 105 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 9857(a) of this title and Tables.The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act are classified generally to parts B (§620 et seq.) and E (§670 et seq.), respectively, of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of this title and Tables. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is Pub. L. 100-77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482. Subtitle B of title VII of the Act is classified generally to part B (§11431 et seq.) of subchapter VI of chapter 119 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 11301 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2015-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114-95, §9215(nn)(3)(A), struck out ",such as entities carrying out Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.)" after "local entities" in introductory provisions.Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 114-95, §9215(nn)(3)(B), struck out "Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.)," before "programs under section 619".2007- Pub. L. 110-134 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to, in subsec. (a), receipt, administration, and transfer of funds, sponsorship of projects, and delegation of authority, in subsec. (b), participation of parents in decisionmaking and implementation of programs, in subsec. (c), coordination with other agencies, in subsec. (d), transition coordination with schools, and, in subsec. (e), assessment when hiring or evaluating classroom teachers. 2004-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108-446 substituted "1431-1444" for "1431-1445". 1998-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(1), inserted "or for-profit" after "nonprofit". Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(E), added par. (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).Subsec. (b)(6)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(A), struck out subpar. (D) which read as follows: "substance abuse counseling;" and further directed the amendment of par. (6) "by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) and subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively", which was executed by redesignating subpars. (E) and (F) as (D) and (E), respectively, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(D), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(D), (F), redesignated par. (7) as (8) and substituted "paragraphs (4) through (7)" for "paragraphs (4) through (6)". Former par. (8) redesignated (9). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(B), struck out "and" at end. Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(D), redesignated par. (8) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(C), substituted ";and" for period at end.Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(D), redesignated par. (9) as (10). Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(2)(G), added par. (11).Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(3), inserted "and collaborate" after "shall coordinate" and "and programs under part C and section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C 1431-1445, 1419)" after "( 20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)" and substituted "the State program carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education and development" for "section 602(g) of this title, and other". Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(4)(A), substituted "take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that children maintain" for "carry out the actions specified in this subsection, to the extent feasible and appropriate in the circumstances (including the extent to which such agency is able to secure the cooperation of parents and schools) to enable children to maintain" and "build" for "to build" and inserted "and educational" after "developmental".Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(4)(B), (C), redesignated pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), respectively, and struck out former par. (2) which related to coordination between Head Start agency and local education agency and schools. Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(4)(C), redesignated par. (5) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (3).Subsec. (d)(4)(A). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(4)(D), substituted "section 9837a of this title" for "the Head Start Transition Project Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.)".Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(4)(C), redesignated par. (5) as (4). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105-285, §109(5), added subsec. (e). 1994-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103-252, §109(1), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "In order to be so designated, a Head Start agency must also (1) establish effective procedures by which parents and area residents concerned will be enabled to directly participate in decisions that influence the character of programs affecting their interests; (2) provide for their regular participation in the implementation of such programs; (3) provide technical and other support needed to enable parents and area residents to secure on their own behalf available assistance from public and private sources; (4) involve parents of children participating in its Head Start program in appropriate educational services (in accordance with the performance standards in effect upon section 9846(b) of this title or through referral of such parents to educational services available in the community) in order to aid their children to attain their full potential; (5) establish procedures to seek reimbursement, to the extent feasible, from other agencies for services for which any such other agency is responsible, which are provided to a Head Start participant by the Head Start agency; (6) provide (directly or through referral to educational services available in the community) parents of children participating in its Head Start program with child development and literacy skills training in order to aid their children to attain their full potential; and (7) consider providing services to assist younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start program to obtain health services from other sources." Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103-252, §109(2), struck out "schools that will subsequently serve children in Head Start programs," after "coordinate with" and inserted ",including Even Start programs under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)," after "other programs".Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103-252, §109(3), added subsec. (d). 1992-Subsec. (b)(6), (7). Pub. L. 102-401, §2(i), added cls. (6) and (7).Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102-401, §2(k)(3), substituted "subchapter" for "subtitle". 1990-Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 101-501, §109(1), added cl. (4) and redesignated former cl. (4) as (5).Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101-501, §109(2), substituted "with schools that will subsequently serve children in Head Start programs, the State agency responsible for administering section 602(g) of this title, and other programs serving the children and families served by the Head Start agency to carry out the provisions of this subtitle" for "with other State and local programs serving the children in the Head Start agency to carry out the provisions of this subsection".1986-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99-425 inserted "State and local" before "programs".
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 114-95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114-95 set out as a note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103-252 effective May 18, 1994, but not applicable to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) until Oct. 1, 1994, see section 127 of Pub. L. 103-252 set out as a note under section 9832 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 102-401 effective Oct. 7, 1992, but not applicable with respect to fiscal years beginning before Oct. 1, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L. 102-401 set out as a note under section 9835 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 101-501 effective Oct. 1, 1990, see section 1001(a) of Pub. L. 101-501 set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 99-425 effective Oct. 1, 1986, see section 1001 of Pub. L. 99-425 set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.
- Secretary
- The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.1See References in Text note below.
- practices
- The term "practices" means design, financing, permitting, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance, and other practices that contribute to achieving zero-net-energy buildings or facilities.
- project
- The terms "federally assisted housing" and "project" mean-(A) a public housing project (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)] );(B) housing for which project-based assistance is provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] ;(C) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12;(D) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12, as such section existed before November 28, 1990;(E) housing financed by a loan or mortgage insured under section 1715l(d)(3) of title 12 that bears interest at a rate determined under the proviso of section 1715l(d)(5) of title 12;(F) housing insured, assisted, or held by the Secretary or a State or State agency under section 1715z-1 of title 12;(G) housing constructed or substantially rehabilitated pursuant to assistance provided under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f(b)(2)], as in effect before October 1, 1983, that is assisted under a contract for assistance under such section; and(H) housing that is assisted under section 80131 of this title.