The Head Start Collaboration Office (HSCO) assists in partnerships with Head Start agencies and other state groups that support low-income children from birth until they start school. (Section 642B(a)(2)(A) of the Head Start Act.)
The intent is to:
- Help better meet the needs of low-income children and their families.
- Support early childhood systems-building to improve coordination and connections for Head Start.
- Address the specific needs of Head Start Programs.
- Encourage strong collaboration between Head Start and other programs, services and initiatives.
- Help involve Head Start in state policies, plans, and decisions that affect low-income children and families.
Priorities of the HSCO
The Federal Office of Head Start identified national priorities to guide this work:
- Collaborate with state systems to align early care and education services and supports for children and families prenatally to age 5.
- Work with state efforts to collect and use data on early childhood programs to guide decision-making and improve child and family outcomes.
- Support the expansion of and access to high-quality workforce and career development opportunities for staff.
- Coordinate with school systems to ensure continuity and alignment across programs, as appropriate.
