Families Experiencing Homelessness

Homeless Families and their children have been served by Head Start and Early Head Start local agencies for many years. Our programs are uniquely equipped to serve these families with our comprehensive service model.

The new Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) released in November 2016 include a provision [§1302.15(c)] allowing Head Start and Early Head Start programs to reserve one or more enrollment slots (up to 3% of the funded enrollment) for pregnant women and children experiencing homelessness in their service areas for a period of 30 days when a vacancy occurs. This provision complements the afore-mentioned regulations of the Head Start Act and can serve as one part of a program’s broader strategy for serving children and families experiencing homelessness (https://naehcy.org/early-childhood/).

Furthermore, local program leaders report challenges on reaching and impacting this community in a meaningful manner. Here in Region IX, and across this nation, services to homeless families is complex and requires new innovations, partnerships and resources.

In June 2019, programs from across the region gathered to discuss this issue, explore challenges and solutions. Below is our report-out from that gathering.