The Office of Head Start National Centers have produced this series of papers to support programs in developing and implementing their planning systems. They may be useful to Head Start leaders and management teams, including governing body and Policy Council members.The Head Start planning systems and related activities are an essential part of program operations. Thoughtful planning has always been critical to successful programming. However, it becomes even more important as programs shift from an indefinite grant period to a five year project period. Federal Oversight of Five Year Head Start Grants (ACF-IM-HS-14-02) and the five year grant applications require programs to describe and define:
- Long-term goals they will accomplish during the five-year period
- Short-term objectives
- Expected outcomes that are aligned with the goals and objectives
- Data tools and methods for tracking progress towards their goals, objectives, and expected outcomes
Grantees report on this progress in their yearly continuation applications over the course of the five year project period.These papers can help programs develop plans for tracking their progress in a meaningful way.
Source: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center