Head Start Performance Standards

This is the final blog in our series about the recent changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards that were announced in August 2024. For more information about these changes, visit our other blogs on Staff Compensation, Family & Community Engagement, and Community Assessment.  You can read the entirety of the final rule here.…

First, a quick note from The Gravely Group regarding what’s going on within the federal government. We understand that there is an enormous amount of uncertainty and confusion right now about the future of the Head Start program (and, let’s be honest, the future of all federal programs). For now, we will take the optimist’s…

In August 2024, the Office of Head Start (OHS) shared some long-awaited updates to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. We’ve already talked about one of the most impactful of these updates, a required increase in staff compensation. Understandably, that change has been a hot topic amongst early childhood educators  over the past few months.…

Just a few days ago, the Office of Head Start (OHS) announced some long-awaited updates to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. There are a variety of changes, all designed to improve different aspects of program performance. There are improvements to mental health supports, child health and safety, and family engagement. We’ll talk about all…

In September 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), released the following report: ACF Should Improve Oversight of Head Start to Better Protect Children’s Safety. In this 40-page report, the Inspector General found that nearly one in four Head Start grantees received an adverse finding from the Administration…

It’s that time of year again. Like baby birds leaving the nest, approximately 320,000 Head Start preschoolers will fly away to start the next chapter in their young lives. As Head Start teachers and administrators, we can’t help but ask, “Are they ready?” “Did we do everything we could to prepare them?” “Is the school…

In a recent blog this past January, we posed the question: What’s the big deal about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in Head Start programs? While you have likely heard about DEIB before, you might think that it’s only something done by corporations with sprawling HR departments or government agencies in large marble buildings.…

If you only read one of The Gravely Group’s blogs each year, our annual Year in Review should be it. Each year, we do a recap of all the articles we put out throughout the year, as well as give a few other highlights from our trainings and travels. After nearly three years of uncertainty,…

The Head Start Act section 641A outlines that the Secretary of Health and Human Services is responsible for promoting a comprehensive federal monitoring and oversight system. The system must assess program compliance with regulations applicable to Head Start programs. These regulations include regulatory requirements documented in the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start…

In Columbus, Ohio, where The Gravely Group is located, the city council voted last week to remove the city-wide mask mandate. Columbus Public School District, Ohio’s largest, did the same, removing any mask requirements for both children and staff. Experts are stating publicly that this might be the beginning of the end of the pandemic,…