[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3842 Introduced in House (IH)]
103d CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3842
To amend the Head Start Act to extend authorization of appropriations
for programs under that Act, to strengthen provisions designed to
provide quality assurance and improvement, to provide for orderly and
appropriate expansion of such programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 10, 1994
Mr. Martinez (for himself, Mr. Ford of Michigan, Mr. Goodling, Ms.
Molinari, Mr. Gephardt, Mr. Clay, Mr. Miller of California, Mr. Murphy,
Mr. Kildee, Mr. Williams, Mr. Owens, Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Payne of New
Jersey, Mrs. Unsoeld, Mrs. Mink, Mr. Scott, Mr. Engel, Mr. Gene Green
of Texas, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Romero-Barcelo, Mr. Castle, Mr. de Lugo, Mr.
Faleomavaega, Mr. Baesler, and Mr. Underwood) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Head Start Act to extend authorization of appropriations
for programs under that Act, to strengthen provisions designed to
provide quality assurance and improvement, to provide for orderly and
appropriate expansion of such programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES IN ACT; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Act Amendments of
1994''.
(b) Except where otherwise specifically provided, references in
this Act shall be considered to be made to the Head Start Act, or to a
section or other provision thereof.
(c) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; references in Act.
Sec. 2. Monitoring and quality assurance.
Sec. 3. Appeals, notice, and hearing.
Sec. 4. Staff qualifications and development.
Sec. 5. Goals and priorities for training and technical assistance.
Sec. 6. Allocation of funds for program expansion.
Sec. 7. Allocation and use of funds for quality improvement.
Sec. 8. Transition coordination with schools.
Sec. 9. Research, demonstrations, evaluation, and reports.
Sec. 10. Initiative on families with infants and toddlers.
Sec. 11. Enhanced parental involvement.
Sec. 12. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 13. Minor and technical amendments.
Sec. 14. Effective date.
SEC. 2. MONITORING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE.
(a) In General.--The Act is amended by inserting after section 641
the following new section:
``quality standards; monitoring of head start agencies and programs
``Sec. 641A. (a) Quality Standards.--(1) Establishment of
Standards.--The Secretary shall establish by regulation standards
applicable to Head Start agencies, programs, and projects under this
subchapter, including--
``(A) performance standards with respect to services
required to be provided, including health, education, parental
involvement, social and other services;
``(B) administrative and financial management standards;
``(C) standards relating to the condition and location of
facilities; and
``(D) such other standards as the Secretary finds
appropriate.
``(2) Minimum Requirements.--The regulations under this subsection
shall indicate the minimum levels of overall accomplishment that a Head
Start agency or program must achieve in order to meet the standards
specified in paragraph (1).
``(3) Considerations in Developing Standards.--In developing the
regulations required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
``(A) consult with experts in the fields of child
development, early childhood education, family services,
administration, and financial management, and with persons with
experience in the operation of Head Start programs; and
``(B) take into consideration--
``(i) past experience with use of the standards
currently in effect;
``(ii) changes over the period the program has been
in effect in the circumstances and problems typically
facing Head Start children and families;
``(iii) developments concerning best practices with
respect to child development, family services, program
administration, and financial management; and
``(iv) projected needs of an expanding Head Start
program;
``(C) not later than one year after enactment of this
section, review and revise as necessary the performance
standards in effect under this subchapter on the date of
enactment of this section (but any revisions in performance
standards shall not result in the elimination of or any
reduction in the scope or types of health, education, parental
involvement, social, or other services required to be provided
under such standards in effect on November 2, 1978).
``(b) Performance Measures.--(1) In General.--Within one year after
enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with
representatives of Head Start agencies and with experts in the fields
of child development, family services, and program management, shall
develop methods and procedures for measuring, annually and over longer
periods, the quality and effectiveness of programs operated by Head
Start agencies.
``(2) Design of Measures.--The performance measures developed under
this subsection shall be designed--
``(A) to assess the various services provided by Head Start
programs and, to the extent the Secretary finds appropriate,
administrative and financial management practices;
``(B) to be adaptable for use in self-assessment and peer
review of individual Head Start agencies and programs; and
``(C) for other program purposes as determined by the
Secretary.
``(3) Use of Measures.--The Secretary shall use the performance
measures developed pursuant to this subsection--
``(A) to identify strengths and weaknesses in the operation
of Head Start programs nationally and by region; and
``(B) to identify problem areas that may require additional
training and technical assistance resources.
``(c) Monitoring of Local Agencies and Programs.--(1) In General.--
In order to determine whether Head Start agencies meet standards
established under this subchapter with respect to program,
administrative, fiscal, and other requirements, the Secretary shall
conduct the following reviews of designated Head Start agencies, and of
the Head Start programs operated by such agencies:
``(A) a full review of each such agency at least once
during each 3-year period;
``(B) a review of each newly designated agency immediately
after the completion of the first year such agency carries out
a Head Start program;
``(C) follow-up reviews including prompt return visits to
agencies and programs that fail to meet minimum standards for
participation; and
``(D) other reviews as appropriate.
``(2) Conduct of Reviews.--The Secretary shall ensure that reviews
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1)--
``(A) are performed, to the maximum extent practicable, by
employees of the Department of Health and Human Services who
are knowledgeable about Head Start programs; and
``(B) are supervised by such an employee at the site of
such Head Start agency.
``(d) Corrective Action; Termination.--(1) If the Secretary
determines, on the basis of a review pursuant to subsection (c), that a
Head Start agency designated pursuant to section 641 fails to meet the
minimum standards for participation in programs under this subchapter,
the Secretary shall--
``(A) inform the agency of the deficiencies that must be
corrected;
``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, at the
Secretary's discretion (taking into consideration the
seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required
to correct it), require the agency--
``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, or
``(ii) to comply with the requirements of paragraph
(2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and
``(C) initiate proceedings to terminate the designation of
the agency unless the agency corrects the deficiency as
required by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (B).
``(2) Quality Improvement Plan.--(A) Agency Responsibilities.--In
order to retain its designation under this subchapter, a Head Start
agency that is the subject of a determination described in paragraph
(1) shall--
``(i) develop in a timely manner, obtain the Secretary's
approval of, and implement a quality improvement plan that
specifies--
``(I) the deficiencies to be corrected;
``(II) the actions to be taken to correct such
deficiencies; and
``(III) the timetable for accomplishment of the
corrective actions identified; and
``(ii) eliminate each deficiency identified, not later than
the date for elimination of such deficiency specified in such
plan (which shall not be later than one year after the date the
agency received notice of the determination and of the specific
deficiencies to be corrected).
``(B) Secretarial Responsibility.--Not later than thirty days after
receiving from a Head Start agency a proposed quality improvement plan
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall either approve such
proposed plan or specify the reasons why the proposed plan cannot be
approved.
``(3) Training and Technical Assistance.--To the extent the
Secretary finds feasible and appropriate given available funding and
other statutory responsibilities, the Secretary shall provide training
and technical assistance to Head Start agencies with respect to the
development or implementation of quality improvement plans.
``(e) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--The Secretary shall
publish annually, following the end of each fiscal year, a summary
report on the findings of reviews conducted pursuant to subsection (c)
and on the outcomes of quality improvement plans under subsection
(d).''.
``(b) Expenditures for Monitoring and Related Activities.--Section
640(a)(2)(D) is amended by inserting ``(including payments for all
costs (other than compensation of Federal employees) of reviews of Head
Start agencies and programs, and of activities related to the
development and implementation of quality improvement plans, pursuant
to section 641A)''.
``(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 641(c) is amended by striking paragraphs (2)
through (4).
(2) Section 641(d) is amended--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking all that
precedes ``then the Secretary'' and inserting ``If
there is in a community no entity entitled to the
priority specified in subsection (c),'';
(B) by striking the second sentence; and
(C) in the third sentence, by striking ``and
subject to the preceding sentence''.
(3) Section 642(b)(4) is amended by striking ``in
accordance with the performance standards in effect upon
section 651(b)'' and inserting ``either through such program''.
(4) Section 651(b) is repealed.
(5) Section 651(g)(10) is amended by striking ``evaluations
conducted under section 641(c)(2)'' and inserting ``monitoring
conducted under section 641A(c)''.
SEC. 3. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING.
(a) Elimination of Provision Freezing Regulations.--Section 646 is
amended by striking subsection (b).
(b) Termination of Designation Not Stayed Pending Appeal.--Section
646 is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(b) Adverse Action Not Stayed Pending Appeal.--In any case where
a termination, reduction, or suspension of financial assistance under
this subchapter is upheld in an administrative hearing under this
section, such termination, reduction, or suspension shall not be stayed
pending any judicial appeal of such administrative decision.''.
SEC. 4. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Requirements Concerning Staff Qualifications and Development.--
(1) Classroom Teachers.--
(A) Section 648(b) is relocated and redesignated as
subsection (a) of a new section 648A, captioned as follows:
``staff qualifications and developments''.
(B) Section 648A(a), as relocated and redesignated, is
further amended--
(i) by striking ``(a)(1)'' and inserting ``(a)
Classroom Teachers.--(1) Degree Requirements.--'';
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``1994'' and
inserting ``1996'';
(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(2)'' and
inserting ``(2) Waiver.--''; and
(iv) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``a child
development associate credential (CDA)'' and inserting
``any credential specified in paragraph (1)''.
(2) Mentor Teachers; Family Service Workers; Fellowships.--Section
648A is further amended by adding after subsection (a) the following
new subsections:
``(b) Mentor Teachers.--(1) Definition: Function.--For purposes of
this subsection, a `mentor teacher' is an individual responsible for
observing and assessing classroom activities and providing on-the-job
guidance and training to Head Start program staff and volunteers, in
order to improve the qualifications and training of classroom staff, to
maintain high quality education services, and to promote career
development.
``(2) Requirement.--In order to assist Head Start agencies to
establish positions for mentor teachers, the Secretary shall--
``(A) provide technical assistance and training to enable
Head Start agencies to establish such positions;
``(B) give priority consideration, in providing assistance
pursuant to subparagraph (A), to Head Start programs which have
substantial numbers of new classroom staff or which are
experiencing difficulty in meeting applicable education
standards; and
``(C) encourage programs to give priority consideration for
such positions to Head Start teachers at the appropriate level
in the career ladders of such programs.
``(c) Family Service Workers.--In order to improve the quality and
effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services to families
of Head Start children (including needs assessment, development of
service plans, family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery),
the Secretary, in collaboration with concerned public and private
agencies and organizations currently examining the issues of standards
and training for family service workers, shall--
``(1) review and, as necessary, revise or develop new
qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such
services;
``(2) promote the development of model curricula (on
subjects including parenting training and family literacy)
designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies
by individuals working or planning to work in the field of
early childhood and family services; and
``(3) promote the establishment of a credential indicating
attainment of those competencies that is accepted nationwide.
``(d) Head Start Fellowships.--(1) Authority.--The Secretary is
authorized to establish a program of Head Start Fellowships, in
accordance with this subsection, for staff in local Head Start programs
and other individuals working in the field of child development and
family services.
``(2) Purpose.--The fellowship program under this subsection shall
be designed to enhance the ability of participating fellows to make
significant contributions to programs authorized under this subchapter,
by providing them opportunities to expand their knowledge and
experience through exposure to activities, issues, resources, and new
approaches in the field of child development and family services.
``(3) Assignments of Fellows.--(A) Placement Sites.--Fellowship
positions under the program under this subsection may be located
(subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C))--
``(i) in agencies of the Department of Health and Human
Services administering programs authorized under this
subchapter (and in national and regional offices of such
agencies);
``(ii) in local Head Start agencies and programs;
``(iii) in institutions of higher education;
``(iv) in public and private entities and organizations
concerned with services to children and families; and
``(v) in other appropriate settings.
``(B) Limitation for Fellows Other Than Head Start Employees.--A
Head Start Fellow who is not an employee of a local Head Start agency
or program may be placed only in a fellowship position specified in
clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
``(C) No Placement in Lobbying Organizations.--Head Start
Fellowship positions may not be located in any agency whose primary
purpose, or one of whose major purposes, is to influence Federal,
State, or local legislation.
``(4) Selection of Fellows.--Fellowships under this subsection
shall be awarded, on a competitive basis, to individuals (other than
Federal employees) selected from among applicants who are currently
working in local Head Start programs or otherwise working in the field
of child development and children and family services.
``(5) Duration.--Fellowships under this subsection shall be for
terms of one year, and shall be renewable for a term of one additional
year.
``(6) Authorized Expenditures.--From amounts appropriated under
this subchapter and allotted under section 640(a)(2)(D), the Secretary
is authorized to make expenditures of not to exceed $1,000,000 for any
fiscal year, for stipends and other reasonable expenses of the program
under this subsection.
``(7) Status of Fellows.--Except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph, Head Start Fellows shall not be deemed employees or
otherwise in the service or employment of the United States Government.
Head Start Fellows shall be considered Federal employees for purposes
of compensation for injuries under chapter 81 of title 5 of the United
States Code. Head Start Fellows assigned to positions specified in
paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be considered Executive Branch employees for
the purposes of chapter 11 of title 18 of the United States Code, and
of any administrative standards of conduct applicable to the employees
of the agency to which they are assigned.
``(8) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations
implementing the provisions of this subsection.''.
(b) Model Staffing Patterns.--Section 648 is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Model Staffing Patterns.--Within one year after enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate public
and private agencies and organizations and with individuals with
expertise in the field of child and family services, shall develop
model staffing plans to provide guidance to local Head Start agencies
and programs on the numbers, types, responsibilities, and
qualifications of staff required to operate a Head Start program.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 648 is amended in the caption,
to read: ``Technical assistance and training''.
SEC. 5. GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Section 648, as amended by section 4, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``Head Start
programs, including'' and inserting instead ``Head Start
programs, in accordance with the process, goals, and priorities
set forth in subsections (b) and (c). The Secretary shall
provide, either directly or through grants or other
arrangements,'';
(2) by redesignating and relocating as subsection (f) the
final sentence of subsection (a), as amended by paragraph (1);
(3) by striking subsection (c); and
(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsections:
``(b) Goals.--The process for determining the technical assistance
and training activities to be carried out under this section shall--
``(1) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies
and programs relating to improving program quality and to
program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent feasible.
``(2) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to
local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining input
from the Head Start community; and
``(c) Specific Purposes.--In allocating resources for technical
assistance and training under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) give priority consideration to activities to correct
program and management deficiencies identified through
monitoring pursuant to section 641A (including the provision of
assistance to local programs in the development of quality
improvement plans);
``(2) address the training and career development needs of
both classroom and non-classroom staff, including home visitors
and other staff working directly with families, including
training relating to increasing parent involvement and services
designed to increase family literacy and improve parenting
skills;
``(3) assist Head Start agencies and programs to conduct
and participate in community-wide strategic planning and needs
assessment;
``(4) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the
development of sound management practices, including financial
management procedures; and
``(5) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate
facilities for Head Start programs.''.
SEC. 6. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PROGRAM EXPANSION.
``(a) Allocation of Funds Within States.--Section 640(g) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(g)'' and inserting ``(g)(1) Cost-of-
Living Adjustments to Grantees.--'''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) Allocation of Expansion Funds Within States.--In allocating
funds within a State, for the purposes of expanding Head Start
programs, from amounts allotted to a State pursuant to paragraph (4),
the Secretary shall take into consideration the following factors:
``(A) the quality of the applicant's current programs
(including Head Start and other child care or child development
programs and, in the case of current Head Start programs, the
extent to which such programs meet or exceed performance
standards and other requirements under this subchapter);
``(B) the applicant's capacity to expand services
(including, in the case of current Head Start programs, whether
the applicant accomplished any prior expansions in an effective
and timely manner);
``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken
community-wide strategic planning and needs assessments
involving other community organizations serving children and
families;
``(D) the numbers of eligible children in each community
who are not participating in Head Start; and
``(E) the concentration of low-income families in each
community.
``(3) Allocation of Expansion Funds to Indian and Migrant Programs
and to Territories.--In determining the amount of funds reserved
pursuant to section 640(a)(2) (A) or (B) to be used for expanding Head
Start programs under this subchapter, the Secretary shall take into
consideration, to the extent appropriate, the factors specified in
paragraph (2).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 641(f) is repealed.
SEC. 7. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUNDS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
(A) Allocation; Use of Funds.--Section 640(a)(3) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D);
(2) in the matter preceding clause (i) of subparagraph (A),
to read as follows:
``(3) Quality Improvement.--(A) Reservation.--(i) The Secretary
shall reserve, for activities specified in subparagraph (C) directed at
the goals specified in subparagraph (B), a share of the amount (if any)
by which such appropriations exceed the adjusted prior year
appropriation (as defined in clause (ii)) equal to--
``(I) 25 percent of such amount, plus
``(II) any additional amount the Secretary may find
necessary to address a demonstrated need for additional quality
improvement activities.
``(ii) Adjusted Prior Year Appropriation Defined.--The term
`adjusted prior year appropriation' means, with respect to a fiscal
year, the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a) for the
preceding fiscal year adjusted to reflect the percentage change in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (issued by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics) during such preceding fiscal year.
``(B) Goals.--Quality improvement funds reserved under this
paragraph shall be used to accomplish any or all of the following
goals:
``(i) Ensuring that Head Start programs meet or exceed
performance standards pursuant to section 641A.
``(ii) Ensuring that programs have adequate qualified
staff, and that such staff are furnished adequate training.
``(iii) Ensuring that salary levels are adequate to attract
and retain qualified staff.
``(iv) Using salary increases to improve staff
qualifications and to assist with the implementation of career
development programs.
``(v) Improving community-wide strategic planning and needs
assessments.
``(vi) Ensuring that the physical environments of Head
Start programs are conducive to providing effective program
services to children and families.
``(vii) Making such other improvements in program quality
as the Secretary may designate.
``(C) Activities.--Quality improvement funds reserved under this
paragraph shall be used to carry out any or all of the following
activities:'';
(3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by adding at the
end the following new clause:
``(vii) Such other activities as the Secretary may
designate.''; and
(4) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) in the matter preceding subclause (I),
by striking ``for the first, second, and third
fiscal years for which funds are so reserved'';
and
(ii) in subclause (II), by inserting
``territories, and programs serving Indian and
migrant children,'' after ``States,'';
(B) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii);
(C) in clause (iv)--
(i) by striking all that precedes the first
comma and inserting ``Funds'';
(ii) by striking ``clause (ii)'' the first
place it appears and inserting ``clause (i)'';
(iii) by inserting before the period at the
end of the first sentence, ``, for expenditure
for activities specified in subparagraph (C)'';
and
(iv) by striking the second sentence; and
(D) by striking clause (v), and redesignating
clauses (iv) and (vi) as clauses (ii) and (iii),
respectively.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 637
are repealed.
SEC. 8. TRANSITION COORDINATION WITH SCHOOLS.
(a) Coordination Requirements.--Section 642 is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking ``schools that will
subsequently serve children in Head Start programs,''; and
(2) by adding after subsection (c) the following new
subsection:
``(d) Facilitating Transition to School.--(1) General
Requirement.--Each Head Start agency shall undertake the actions
specified in this subsection, to the extent feasible and appropriate in
the circumstances (including the extent to which such agency is able to
secure the cooperation of parents and schools) to enable children to
maintain the developmental gains achieved in Head Start and to build
upon such gains in further schooling.
``(2) Coordination With Schools.--The Head Start agency shall take
steps to coordinate with the local educational agency and with schools
in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by
such agency will enroll following such program, including the
following:
``(A) developing and implementing a systematic procedure
for transferring Head Start records on each participating child
to the school in which such child will enroll;
``(B) establishing channels of communication between Head
Start staff and their counterparts in the receiving schools
(including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to
facilitate coordination of programs; and
``(C) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten
or primary school teachers, and Head Start teachers to discuss
the developmental and other needs of individual children; and
``(D) organizing and participating in joint transition-
related training of school staff and Head Start staff.
``(3) Promotion of Parental Involvement.--In order to promote the
continued involvement of Head Start parents in their children's
education upon transition to school, the Head Start agency shall--
``(A) provide training to Head Start parents--
``(i) to inform them about their rights and
responsibilities concerning their children's education;
and
``(ii) to enable them to understand and work with
schools in order to communicate with teachers and other
school personnel, to support their children's school
work, and to participate as appropriate in decisions
relating to their children's education; and
``(B) take other actions, as appropriate and feasible, to
support the active involvement of parents with schools, school
personnel, and school-related organizations.
``(4) Application of Demonstration Results.--The Secretaries of
Health and Human Services and Education shall assess the results of the
demonstration projects funded under the Head Start Transition Project
Act and shall work together to provide technical assistance to enable
communities to implement promising practices emerging from these
demonstrations for improving the Head Start Program and programs of the
schools.''.
(b) Extension of Set-Aside for Head Start Transition Project Act.--
(1) In General.--Section 639(c) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (1);
(B) by striking ``(2)''; and
(C) by striking ``1992, 1993, and 1994'' and inserting
``1992 through 1996''.
(2) Reference.--Section 640(a)(5) is amended by striking ``The''
and inserting ``Allotments Among States.--Subject to section 639(c),
the''.
SEC. 9. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, EVALUATION, AND REPORTS.
(a) Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation.--Section 649,
including the caption thereof, is amended to read as follows:
``research, demonstrations, and evaluation
``Sec. 649. (a) In General.--(1) Requirement; General Purposes.--
The Secretary shall carry out a continuing program of research,
demonstrations, and evaluation, in order to--
``(A) foster continuous improvement in the quality of the
Head Start Program under this subchapter and in its
effectiveness in enabling participating children and their
families to succeed in school and in everyday life; and
``(B) use the Head Start Program as a national laboratory
for developing, testing, and disseminating new ideas and
approaches for addressing the needs of low-income pre-school
children and their families and communities, and otherwise to
further the purposes of this subchapter.
``(2) Plan.--The Secretary shall develop, and periodically update,
a plan governing the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities
under this section.
``(b) Conduct of Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation.--The
Secretary, in order to conduct research, demonstrations, and
evaluations under this section--
``(1) may carry out such activities directly, or through
grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, public
and private entities;
``(2) shall, to the extent appropriate, undertake such
activities in collaboration with other Federal and non-Federal
agencies conducting similar activities;
``(3) shall ensure that evaluation of activities in a
specific program or project are conducted by persons not
directly involved in the operation of such program or project;
``(4) may require Head Start agencies to provide for
independent evaluations; and
``(5) may approve, in appropriate cases, community-based
cooperative research and evaluation efforts to enable local
Head Start programs to collaborate with qualified researchers
not directly involved in program administration or operation.
``(c) Consultation and Collaboration.--In carrying out the
activities under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) consult with individuals--
``(A) from relevant academic disciplines;
``(B) involved in the operation of Head Start and
other child and family service programs; and
``(C) from other Federal agencies and organizations
involved with children and families,
ensuring that such individuals reflect the multi-cultural
nature of the Head Start population and the multi-disciplinary
nature of the Head Start Program;
``(2) whenever feasible and appropriate, obtain the views
of persons participating in and served by programs and projects
assisted under this subchapter with respect to activities under
this section; and
``(3) establish, to the extent appropriate, working
relationships with the faculties of colleges or universities
located in the area in which any evaluation under this section
is being conducted, unless there is no such college or
university willing and able to participate in such evaluation.
``(d) Specific Objectives.--The research, demonstration, and
evaluation programs under this part shall include components designed
to--
``(1) permit ongoing assessment of the quality and
effectiveness of the program under this subchapter;
``(2) contribute to developing knowledge concerning factors
associated with the quality and effectiveness of Head Start
programs and in identifying ways in which services provided
under this subchapter may be improved;
``(3) assist in developing knowledge concerning the factors
which promote or inhibit healthy development and effective
functioning of children and their families both during and
following the Head Start experience;
``(4) permit comparisons of children and families
participating in Head Start programs with children and families
receiving other child care, early childhood education, and
child development services and with other appropriate control
groups;
``(5) contribute to understanding the characteristics and
needs of population groups eligible for services provided under
this subchapter and the impact of such services on the
individuals served and the communities in which such services
are provided;
``(6) provide for disseminating and promoting the use of
the findings from such research, demonstration, and evaluation
activities; and
``(7) promote exploration of areas in which knowledge is
insufficient, and which will otherwise contribute to fulfilling
the purposes of this subchapter.
``(e) Longitudinal Studies.--In developing priorities for research,
demonstration, and evaluation activities under this section, the
Secretary shall give special consideration to longitudinal studies
which--
``(1) examine the developmental progress of children and
their families both during and following the Head Start Program
experience, including the examination of factors which
contribute to or detract from such progress; and
``(2) examine factors related to improving the quality of
the Head Start Program experience and the preparation it
provides for children and their families to function
effectively in schools and other settings in the years
following Head Start; and
``(3) as appropriate, permit comparison of children and
families participating in Head Start programs with children and
families receiving other child care, early childhood education,
and child development services, and with other appropriate
control groups.
``(f) Ownership of Results.--The Secretary shall take necessary
steps to ensure that all studies, reports, proposals, and data produced
or developed with Federal funds under this subchapter shall become the
property of the United States.''.
(b) Reports.--Section 651 is amended--
(1) in the caption, to read ``reports'';
(2) by striking subsections (a) through (f);
(3) by striking ``(g)'';
(4)(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (11);
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding after paragraph (12) the following new
paragraph:
``(13) a summary of the research, demonstration, and
evaluation activities conducted under section 649, including--
``(A) a status report on ongoing activities; and
``(B) results, conclusions, and recommendations
based on completed activities not previously reported
on.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Sections 640A, 650, and 651A are repealed.
(2) Section 651, as amended by subsection (b), is
redesignated as section 650.
SEC. 10. INITIATIVE ON FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS.
(a) Establishment of Program.--The Act is amended by adding after
section 645 the following new section:
``programs for families with infants and toddlers
``Sec. 645A. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants, in
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, for--
``(1) programs providing family-centered services for low-
income families with very young children designed to promote
the development of their children, to fulfill their roles as
parents, and to move toward self-sufficiency; and
``(2) evaluation of, and provision of training and
technical assistance to, projects under the Comprehensive Child
Development Centers Act of 1988.
``(b) Families Eligible to Participate.--Persons who may be served
by projects described in subsection (a)(1) include pregnant women, and
families with children under age three (or under age five, in the case
of children served by a grantee specified in subsection (e)(2)), who
meet the criteria specified in section 645(a)(1).
``(c) Scope and Design of Programs.--Programs receiving assistance
under this section shall--
``(1) provide, either directly or through referral, early,
continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and
family support services which will enhance the physical,
social, emotional, and intellectual development of
participating children;
``(2) ensure that the level of services provided to
families responds to their needs and circumstances;
``(3) promote positive parent-child interactions;
``(4) provide services to parents to support their role as
parents and to help them move toward self-sufficiency;
``(5) coordinate services with existing programs in the
State and community to ensure a comprehensive array of
services;
``(6) coordinate with local Head Start programs in order to
ensure continuity of services for children and families;
``(7) (in the case of a program operated by a Head Start
agency that also provides Head Start services through the age
of mandatory school attendance) ensure that participating
children and families receive such services through such age;
and
``(8) meet such other requirements concerning program
design and operation as the Secretary may establish.
``(d) Eligible Service Providers.--Entities that may apply to
operate services projects under this section include--
``(1) entities operating Head Start programs under this
subchapter;
``(2) entities that, on the date of enactment of this
provision, were operating--
``(A) Parent-Child Centers receiving financial
assistance under section 640(a)(4), or
``(B) Comprehensive Child Development Projects
receiving financial assistance under the Comprehensive
Child Development Centers Act of 1988; and
``(3) other public and non-profit private entities capable
of providing child and family services
that meet the standards for participation in programs under this
subchapter and such other appropriate requirements relating to the
program under this section as the Secretary may establish.
``(e) Time-Limited Priority for Certain Entities.--(1) In
General.--From amounts allotted pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4) of
section 640(a), the Secretary shall provide financial assistance in
accordance with paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection.
``(2) Parent-Child Centers.--The Secretary shall make financial
assistance available under this section for each of fiscal years 1995,
1996, and 1997 to any entity that--
``(A) complies with the standards and requirements
established by the Secretary under subsection (d); and
``(B) received funding as a Parent-Child Center pursuant to
section 640(a)(4) for fiscal year 1994.
``(3) Comprehensive Child Development Centers (CCDCs).--In the case
of an entity that--
``(A) complies with the standards and requirements
established by the Secretary under subsection (d); and
``(B) received a grant for fiscal year 1994 to operate a
project under the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act
of 1988, the Secretary--
shall make financial assistance available under this section for the
duration of the demonstration project period specified in the grant
award to such entity under such Act, and shall permit such entity, in
the program assisted under this section, to serve children from birth
through age 5.
``(4) Evaluations, Training, Technical Assistance Relating to
CCDCs.--The Secretary shall make funds available under this section as
necessary to provide for the evaluation of, and furnishing of training
and technical assistance to, child development projects (specified in
paragraph (3)) under the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of
1988.
``(f) Selection of Other Grantees.--From allotments pursuant to
paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 640(a) (in amounts equal to the
balance remaining of the amount specified in section 640(a)(6) after
making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e)),
the Secretary shall award grants under this paragraph on a competitive
basis to applicants meeting the criteria specified in subsection (d)
(giving priority to entities with a record of providing early,
continuous, and comprehensive childhood development and family
services).
``(g) Secretarial Responsibilities.--(1) Guidelines.--The Secretary
shall develop and publish guidelines concerning the content and
operation of programs under this section--
``(A) in consultation with experts in early childhood
development and family services; and
``(B) taking into consideration the knowledge and
experience gained from other early childhood programs,
including programs under the Comprehensive Child Development
Centers Act of 1988.
``(2) Monitoring, Evaluation, Training, and Technical Assistance.--
In order to ensure the successful operation of service programs under
this section, the Secretary shall monitor the operation of such
programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and
technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such
programs.''.
(b) Funds Set-Aside.--Section 640(a) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, and subject to
paragraph (6)'' before the period;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``paragraph (5)'' each
place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (4)'';
(3) by striking paragraph (4), and redesignating paragraphs
(5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(4) by adding after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the
following new paragraph:
``(6) Funding for Programs for Families With Infants and
Toddlers.--From amounts allotted pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4),
the Secretary shall use, for grants for programs for families with
infants and toddlers under section 645A, a portion of the combined
total of such amounts equal to 3 percent for fiscal year 1995, 4
percent for each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997, and 5 percent for
fiscal year 1998, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section
639(a).''.
(c) Consolidation.--In recognition that the Comprehensive Child
Development Centers Act has demonstrated positive results, and that its
purposes and functions have been consolidated into section 645A of the
Head Start Act, the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 1988
is repealed.
SEC. 11. ENHANCED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
``(a) Considerations in Designating New Head Start Agencies.--
Section 641(d) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
``(4) the plan of such applicant--
``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of
participating children in activities designed to help
such parents become full partners in the education of
their children;
``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity to
participate in the development, conduct, and overall
performance of the program at the local level;
``(C) to offer (directly or through referral to
local entities, such as Even Start programs) to such
parents--
``(i) family literacy services; and
``(ii) parenting skills training;
``(D) at the option of such applicant, to offer
(directly or through referral to local entities) to
such parents--
``(i) parental social self-sufficiency
training;
``(ii) substance abuse counseling; or
``(iii) any other activity designed to help
such parents become full partners in the
education of their children; and
``(E) to provide, with respect to each
participating family, a family needs assessment that
includes consultation with such parents about the
benefits of parent involvement and about the activities
described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) in which such
parents may choose to become involved (taking into
consideration their specific family needs, work
schedules, and other responsibilities;'';
(2) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) by striking paragraph (8); and
(4) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8).
(b) Functions of Head Start Agencies.--Section 642(b) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
``(4) seek the involvement of parents of participating
children in activities designed to help such parents become
full partners in the education of their children, and to afford
such parents the opportunity to participate in the development,
conduct, and overall performance of the program at the local
level;'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) by striking paragraph (6);
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (7) as paragraphs
(8) and (9), respectively; and
(5) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraphs:
``(5) offer (directly or through referral to local
entities, such as Even Start programs) to parents of
participating children family literacy services and parenting
skills training;
``(6) at the option of such agency, offer (directly or
through referral to local entities) to such parents parental
social self-sufficiency training, substance abuse counseling,
or any other activity designed to help such parents become full
partners in the education of their children;
``(7) provide, with respect to each participating family, a
family needs assessment that includes consultation with such
parents about the benefits of parent involvement and about the
activities described in paragraphs (4) through (6) in which
such parents may choose to be involved (taking into
consideration their specific family needs, work schedules, and
other responsibilities);''.
(c) Family Literacy Services.--Section 637 is amended by adding
after paragraph (11) the following new paragraph:
``(12) The term `family literacy services' includes
activities such as the following: interactive literacy
activities between parents and their children, training for
parents on how to be their children's primary teacher and to be
full partners in the education of their children, parent
literacy training, and early childhood education.''.
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 639, as amended by section 8(b), is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking all that follows
``651A)'' and inserting ``such sums as necessary for fiscal
year 1995 and each of the three succeeding fiscal years.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and redesignating subsection
(c) as subsection (b).
SEC. 13. MINOR AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Definition of Poverty Line.--(1) Section 637(9) is amended to
read as follows:
``(9) The term `poverty line' means the official poverty
line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget).''.
(2) Section 652 is repealed.
(b) Updating of Hold-Harmless for Indian and Migrant Programs.--
Section 640(a)(2)(A) is amended by striking ``1990'' and inserting
``1994''.
(c) Use of Head Start Funds for Full-Day and Full-Year Services.--
Section 640(h) is amended by striking ``Each Head Start program may''
and inserting ``Financial assistance provided under this subchapter may
be used by each Head Start program to''.
(d) Designation of Head Start Agencies.--Section 641(c), as amended
by section 2 of this Act, is further amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting ``(subject to paragraph (2))''
before ``, the Secretary shall give priority'';
(B) by striking ``unless'' and all that follows
through the end of subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following ``unless the Secretary makes a finding that
the agency involved fails to meet program, fiscal, and
other requirements established by the Secretary.'';
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as paragraph (2) and
relocating the left margin two ems to the left;
(3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated--
(A) by striking ``except that, if'' and inserting
``If''; and
(B) by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting
``paragraph (1)'';
(4) by striking ``Notwithstanding any other provision of
this paragraph'' and inserting the following:
``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subsection''.
(e) Federal Register Publication Requirement.--Section 644(d) is
amended by striking ``guidelines, instructions,''.
(f) Duration of Services to Eligible Children.--Section 645(c) is
amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``may provide'' and
all that follows and inserting ``shall be permitted to provide
more than one year of Head Start services to eligible children
in the State.''; and
(2) by striking the second sentence.
SEC. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The provisions of this Act shall be effective with respect to
fiscal year 1995 and succeeding fiscal years.
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