Previous Story
Head Start execs to visit PSS in prep for Early Head Start implementation
The Public School System and State Board of Education have been notified of an upcoming site visit for the PSS Head Start Centers ahead of the implementation of the new Early Head Start program in the CNMI.
According to program coordinator Melissa Palacios, program specialists from the federal Office of Head Start are scheduled to arrive on Saipan on Feb. 9 to 10.
On Feb 9., they would like to meet with the BOE chair, Head Start Policy Council chair, the Education Commissioner and her leadership team, the Head Start management team and the Child Care Program team, to discuss the Early Head Start program plans PSS will be implementing very soon, Palacios said.
On Feb. 10, the specialists will visit all program centers that will be used as Early Head Start Centers as well the childcare centers that will provide Early Head Start services.
PSS has been named with other districts across the nation that will be part of $500 million Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grants last December. It was earlier reported that PSS will receive $900,000 in grants.
In related news, the Head Start Policy Council has approved self-assessment and community assessment plans to be reviewed by the board’s Fiscal and Personnel Affairs committee in February.
Palacios described it as “an internal review of our program to measure where we are in regards to program implementation, making sure that we are continuing to provide high quality education to the students and the families.”
This assessment covers the entire program, service areas, human resources, program management, and program systems.
The community assessment, she said, looks at community demographics, looking at the number of population that out there that are potential Head Start-eligible children and families.
