Head Start Collaboration
Head Start is funded within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. Head Start is a comprehensive child development program that serves children from birth to age five, pregnant women, and their families. Ten percent of enrollments are offered to children with disabilities. Head Start programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.
Head Start serves families within the context of the community, and recognizes that many other agencies and groups work with the same families. The objective of Head Start's regulations on Community Partnerships (45CFR 1304.41) is to ensure that grantee and delegate agencies collaborate with partners in their communities, in order to provide the highest level of services to children and families, to foster the development of a continuum of family centered services, and to advocate for a community that shares responsibility for the healthy development of children and families of all cultures.
Head Start Regulations and Performance Standards relating to interagency coordination.
Head Start Interagency Agreements
State Memorandum of Agreement Map Finder - This interactive map, maintained by the Office of Head Start, links to state interagency agreements that promote the coordination of Head Start/Early Head Start services with special education/early intervention services and provide guidelines about the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies and individuals. (posted on 4/22/2009)
Interagency Agreement Checklist (2005) 
(PDF: 180kb) - This checklist provides guidance for local
interagency agreements for services to families and children with disabilities.
This checklist was developed in accordance with the Head Start Performance
Standards and IDEA.
These materials from SpecialQuest, funded by Head Start, offer guidance on identifying community resources and forging interagency relationships. Resources include a community-mapping activity.
Practicing Collaborative Process - These materials from Head Start can guide groups through the essential steps in the collaborative process. (downloaded 8/27/09)