Kansas Early Head Start

1. Kansas Early Head Start A Decade of Experience withProgram and Policy for Our Youngest Children

2. Background Started in 1998 as the first state-federal Early Head Start partnership. Prior to 1998, only 8 federal EHS programs were serving less than 500 children. Gov. Bill Graves transferred $5 million in TANF to CCDF to serve 825 children in 13 programs and 35 counties. Federal ACF funds added $2 million for training and technical assistance.

3. Background No expansion until 2006, when $1.8 million in State General Funds added 192 children. In 2007, legislature approved $1.6 million for 160 more children. Program now serves 1,177 children with a total investment of $11.4 million—30% of which are state dollars.

4. Kansas Demographics Total population: 2.8 million 2 primary urban areas: Kansas City (800,000), Wichita (475,000) Approximately 115,000 children under the age of 3; 16 percent live below the poverty level 58% of women with children under age 3 are in the work force. Cost of child care for an infant as percent of median income for single-parent families: 24%.

5. Political Climate Kansas is predominantly Republican but in the past few years. . . Very popular Democratic governor finishing 1st year of 2nd term with approval ratings in the 60’s A “three-party” state Lt. Gov. and Attorney General switched parties to run (successfully) in 2006. Speaker of the House, influenced by Dr. Jack Shonkoff, now a vocal advocate of 0-3 policies

6. KEHS Administration KEHS is a “state-administered” program housed in the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). Grants are made to 15 programs and renewed annually. Strong collaboration with Region VII Administration for Children and Families, which is involved in problem-solving and decision-making.

7. Geographic Scope

8. Who Is Served? Over 1,700 pregnant women, infants and toddlers 1,177 KEHS 531 federal Only 6 percent of those eligible statewide 574 on waiting lists in 15 existing programs No services in 57 counties

9. The Model Goals: Expansion of high-quality, comprehensive services for infants and toddlers Progress toward self-sufficiency for parents through collaboration with TANF Increased access to quality infant/toddler child care

10. The Model Requirements: All KEHS programs must meet federal Head Start Performance Standards. Programs must partner with community-based child care providers, which also must meet Performance Standards. Parents must be engaged in work or school activities to access child care.

11. The Model KEHS serves pregnant women and children from birth through age 4; age extension allowed to facilitate transitions into Head Start or preschool program. Full-day (approximately 10 hours) and full-year KEHS program options Home-based, with weekly 90-minute home visits Center-based, with monthly home visits and weekly visits with child care partners

12. KEHS Outcomes First state to require outcomes reporting, starting in 2002 and collected quarterly 4 outcomes with indicators: Pregnant women and newborns thrive (prenatal care, birth weight) Infants and children thrive (teacher credentials, child care provider ratings, immunizations and EPSDT checks)

13. KEHS Outcomes Outcomes (continued) Children live in stable and supported families (employment or educational status of parents, HOME inventory scores) Children enter school ready to learn (progress on intellectual, social-emotional, motor and language skills)

14. Most Recent Outcomes Report Over 90% of KEHS children demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional, fine and gross motor skills 83% demonstrate age-appropriate language 84% of children’s learning environments were “high quality” 87% are up-to-date on immunizations, compared to a statewide average of 81 percent 99% of pregnant women received early prenatal care, compared to statewide average of 81 percent.

15. Research Partnerships ECI (Early Communication Indicator): Intervention developed at the University of Kansas in response to Hart-Risley findings; children are assessed on language indicators through a play-based measurement tool. Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC)—two-generational study evaluating impact on families University of Kansas program evaluation

16. Sources of KEHS Funds

17. Funding 4 sources ($11.4 million total) CCDF quality set-aside $ 5.2 million ACF for technical assistance 2.8 State General Fund 1.8 Children’s Initiative Fund 1.6 Child care paid through state-admin. grant Flat funded at $9,650 per child since 1998; approximately 70% of this goes to child care.

18. Successes The federal/state partnership, providing: Technical assistance and professional development funds through ACF The federal monitoring process Strong interface between federal and state services Increased child care quality impacting 150 providers and over 2,000 additional children

19. Successes Outcomes management system Distinguishes KEHS from other programs Demonstrates commitment to quality and accountability Advocacy Kansas Early Education Partners 2003-2006 Kansas Coalition for School Readiness 2007 Role of parents and partners

20. Challenges Funding Flat funding from 1998 through 2005 Funding increases in past 2 years have primarily supported expansion; only 2% base cost increase last year. Child care partnerships Difficulty in some areas in recruiting and retaining partners who can meet Performance Standards Funding issue but also a more basic structural issue

21. Challenges Maintaining a balance in investment across the age spectrum Changes in early childhood governance Legislature to consider bill which would move KEHS to Department of Education as part of EC reorganization proposal Requirements from funding sources differ (e.g., work requirements for CCDF)

22. The Coming Year Governor has committed to a significant investment in early learning New funding opportunity from increased tobacco revenues Coalition for School Readiness has proposed a 5-point legislative agenda, expanding access and quality to: Preschool programming Infant and toddler services (I/T specialists) Kansas Early Head Start with significant increase in cost per child (over $13,000) Parents As Teachers Kansas Quality Rating System

23. Lessons Learned Help build a strong early learning advocacy coalition and position yourself within it. Commit to a 0-5 approach on everything—plan, policy and politics. Sell the importance of 0-3 in making pre-K happen. Encourage key legislators to participate in National Council of State Legislators (NCSL) and other opportunities to learn about brain development.

24. Contact Information Mary Baskett, Executive DirectorKansas Head Start Association925 VermontLawrence, KS 66044785-856-3132khsa@kc.rr.comwww.ksheadstart.org