PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Between

Kentucky Head Start Association (KHSA) representing 33 Head Start Programs and 9
Early Head Start Programs

First Steps, Kentucky's Early Intervention Program, Department for Mental
Health/Mental Retardation Cabinet for Health Services

Kentucky Head Start-State Collaboration Office (KHSCO)

Training and Technical Assistance Services/Head Start Quality Improvement Center
(T/TAS)

Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services-Region IV

Background

Early Head Start Programs and First Steps, Kentucky's Early Intervention Program, have been working together within some communities across the Commonwealth to serve children from ages birth to 3 years. In Kentucky, the Cabinet for Health Services is the lead agency for First Steps. First Steps' focus is serving children who are experiencing developmentally delays or who have medical conditions that may cause developmental delays. This program, had its beginnings as a result of federal legislation that was introduced in 1986 as part of the Education For All Handicapped Children Act. The Commonwealth developed state legislation to help implement the federal mandates that were outlined. In 1994, with support from a broad range of concerns citizens, the Commonwealth provided a significant increase in state funds to help implement the First Steps program.

Head Start has historically served infants and toddlers and their families through Parent Child Centers (PCC) and Comprehensive Child Development Programs (CCDP). Beginning in 1972, Head Start made a commitment to serve children with disabilities. During the reauthorization of Head Start in 1994, legislation was introduced to create Early Head Start programs. The funds from this program significantly increased the availability of services to children ages birth to 3 years, as well as families and expectant mothers. The Head Start Bureau located in the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services and the National Head Start Association are supporting the increased spending of Head Start's budget in the area of Early Head Start.

Purpose

This partnership agreement is designed to encourage collaboration between First Steps and Early Head Start Programs at the community level by supporting communication, cooperation and coordination. It is to provide a framework on which a local partnership agreement can be formed between the local early intervention agency through the Point of Entry, and the local Early Head Start programs. This is an evolving agreement and will change and grow to meet the needs of local communities as they go about their business of serving children with disabilities and their families. This agreement will also act as a map to guide the First Steps, Kentucky's Early Intervention Program, the Kentucky Head Start Association, the Kentucky Head Start-State Collaboration Office, the Head Start Quality Improvement Centers, Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services and Region IV Administration for Children and Families in ways to support these local programs in their collaborative ventures.

Contributions to the Partnership

First Steps, Kentucky's Early Intervention Program, agrees to:

1. Coordinate innovative Child Find activities through shared resources and knowledge of programs and community;

3. Coordinate with Early Head Start programs to determine eligibility for services;

4. Refer families who do not qualify for First Steps services to Early Head Start for possible services;

5. Plan together for the development of the Individual Family Service Plan(IFSP)/Family Partnership Agreement, including a transition plan to preserve continuity of services into programs serving 3 year old children;

6. With parental permission, share medical and developmental history;

7. Coordinate with families and Early Head Start to plan and provide services identified on the IFSP which could include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, service coordination, developmental intervention, assistive technology, respite, and transportation related to program services;

8. Provide training and technical assistance to Early Head Start programs to program staff and families;

9. Participate in the development of local transition policies and procedures; and

10. Support and assist in the accomplishment of family goals as listed in the Family Partnership Agreement.

Kentucky Head Start-State Collaboration Office agrees to:

1 . Share information on training opportunities being provided by both programs that either programs staff and parents can attend;

2. Share information to both programs on changes in policies and/or regulation that could impact this Partnership Agreement;

3. Provide technical assistance to local communities in developing local partnership agreements between Early Head Start and Point of Entry; and

4. Share updated information on the design and services of each program.

Kentucky Head Start Association representing 33 Head Start Programs and 9 Early Head Start
Programs agrees to:

1. Coordinate innovative Child Find activities through shared resources and knowledge of programs and community;

2. Coordinate with First Steps service providers in providing services to children with disabilities and their families;

3. Coordinate with Point of Entry to determine eligibility for services,

4. Refer families who may qualify for First Steps services to Point of Entry for possible services;

6. Plan together for creation of the Individual Family Service Plan(IFSP)/Family Partnership Agreement, including a transition plan to preserve continuity of services into programs serving 3 year old children;

7. With parental permission, share medical and developmental history;

8. Provide training and technical assistance to Early Head Start programs to program staff and families;

9. Will participate in the development of local transition policies and procedures;

10. Coordinate with families and First Steps to plan and provide services identified in the Family Partnership Agreement or IFSP which could include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, service coordination, developmental intervention, assistive technology, respite, transportation related to program services and other Early Head Start services;

11. Share training opportunities and resources with First Steps staff and parents;

12. Assist families in becoming an advocate for their child in transition and implementation;

13. Provide parent support through parent education, group meetings, parent conferences and home visits; and

14. Support and assist in the accomplishment of family goals as listed in the IFSP.

Region IV Head Start Quality Improvement Centers agree to:

1. Identify the needs of early Head Start grantees in serving infants/toddlers and their families;

2. Plan and coordinate technical assistance to Early Head Start grantees to address those needs;

3. Provide training and information on the partnership agreement to Head Start/Early Head Start and early intervention programs in Kentucky;

4. Provide training and technical assistance to Early Head Start grantees to facilitate the development and implementation of local agreements for services to infants/toddlers; and

5. Share training opportunities, resources and information on policies, procedures and best practices in serving infants/toddlers and their families.

Region IV Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services agrees to:

1. Identify the needs of early Head Start grantees in serving infants/toddlers with disabilities and their families;

2. Plan and coordinate technical assistance to Early Head Start grantees to address those needs;

3. Provide training and information on the partnership agreement to Head Start/Early Head Start and early intervention programs in Kentucky;

4. Provide training and technical assistance to Early Head Start grantees to facilitate the development and implementation of local agreements for services to infants/toddlers with disabilities; and

5. Share training opportunities, resources and information on policies, procedures and best practices in serving infants/toddlers with disabilities and their families.

Period of Agreement

This Partnership Agreement shall be in effect upon the signatures of the parties and is to be reviewed annually by a group of representatives designated from each organization. This annual review will include the issuance of a report to all parties outlining the progress being made within the partnership, At the end of three years, the partnership will be formally reviewed for determination of appropriate next steps to promote its purpose.

The Region IV Office of the Administration for Children and Families fully supports and endorses this Partnership Agreement.

[Signature of Southeast Regional Hub Director appears at this point in the original]

APPENDIX

Supporters of Partnership Agreement

Kentuckv Head Start Association

Contacts: Peggy Grant, President
Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative Head Start
100 Alpine Drive
Shelbyville, KY 40066
PGrant@ovec.coop.k12.ky.us

A professional organization of Head Start staff, parents, and community leaders organized to promote quality Head Start services in Kentucky's communities.

Local Head Start Grantees

Contacts: Head Start/Early Head Start Directors (List available from KHSA or Head StartState Collaboration Office)

Thirty-three private and public non-profit organizations that serve 120 counties in Kentucky and are funded annually by the Administration for Children and Families to implement the comprehensive Head Start Program which serves children (ages 3-5 years) and their families in the areas of education, health (medical, dental), mental health, nutrition, disabilities, social services, and parent involvement. This federal program mandates specific regulations and services through the grantees who have legal and fiscal responsibilities for the program as described in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1304). Currently, nine Grantees are funded to operate Early Head Start Programs. These programs provide prenatal services and services to children ages birth to 3 years old and their families.

Kentucky Head Start - State Collaboration Office

Contact: Kurt Walker, Director
17th Floor Capital Plaza Tower
500 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502)564-3010 FAX: (S02)564-6952
kwalker@kih.net
Website: http://www.nectac.org/shortURL.asp?sURL=KY-HSCollab

The Kentucky Head Start--State Collaboration Office acts as a single point of contact and liaison office for the Kentucky Head Start Community within state government. As liaison, the Collaboration Office assures that Head Start is represented on major planning and advisory groups in order to share the Head Start philosophy with all Kentucky programs affecting young children and their families. The project also provides an easy way for current and potential collaborative partners in and out of state government to receive information about the children and families that Head Start serves. The Office has an advisory board from the Kentucky Head Start Association and has direct linkages to all state and local agencies as well as the Governor's Office.

Region IV Head Start Quality Improvement Centers - Western Kentucky University

Contact: Amy Hood, Infant/Toddler Specialist
1 Big Red Way
Western Kentucky University
Tate C. Page Hall, Room 344
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(502) 745-4041 Fax: (502) 745-3340
E-mail: amy.hood@wku.edu

The Region IV Head Start Quality Improvement Centers (HSQIC) are the Head Start/Early Head Start training and technical assistance organizations funded by the Administration for Children and Families. They provide on and off-site assistance and support in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Region W Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services (DSQIC)

Contact: Pam Kautz, Infant/Toddler Specialist
DSQIC Satellite Office
Pinellas County Head Start
6696 68th Avenue North, Suite D
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
(727) 547-5900 Fax: (727) 547-5909
E-mail: pamkautz@aol.com

Tennant Kirk, T/TA Specialist
Kentucky/Tennessee Satellite Office
117 Holly Hill Drive
Berea, KY 40403
(606) 985-9708 Fax: (606) 986-9606
E-Mail: tennant@snapp.net

The Region IV Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services is funded by the Administration for Children and Families to provide training and technical assistance to Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and American Indian grantees in planning and implementing services to children with disabilities and their families.

Kentucky Head Start Training and Resource Specialists (HSTAR)

Contacts: Pamela Fox, HSTAR
Audubon Area Head Start
P.O. Box 20004
Owensboro, KY 42304-0004
(502) 686-1649 Fax: (502) 686-1656

Sandy Mardis, HSTAR
Central Kentucky Head Start
P.O. Drawer 830
Lebanon, KY 40033
(502) 692-2136 Fax: (502) 692-4530

Anthony Kuzak, HSTAR
KCEOC Head Start
P.O. Box 490
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3152 Fax: (606) 546-5057

Ben Bingham, HSTAR
Northeast Head Start
P.O. Box 600
Olive Hill, KY 41164
(606) 286-4443 Fax: (606) 286-6733

The HSTARS are Disability Specialists who coordinate training and technical assistance activities to grantees in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In Kentucky, the HSTARS are located within the following programs: Audubon, KCEOC, Northeast and Central Kentucky.

First Steps, Kentucky's Early Invention Program

Contact: Jim Henson
Germaine O'Connell
DMH-MRS
100 Fair Oaks Lane, 4E-E
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-7722 Fax: (502) 564-0438
E-mail: goconnell@mail.state.ky.us

First Steps is Kentucky's program that serves children birth to age 3 years with developmental delays or medical conditions that may cause developmental delays under P.L. 99-457, I.D.E.A.

First Steps Technical Assistance Teams (TATs)

Western Kentucky University
Dr. Vicki D. Stayton
Office of Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Studies
104 Tate C. Page Hall
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(502) 745-4641
Fax (502) 745-2939

Murray State University
Dr. Emily Watts
MSU Department of Special Education
PO Box 9
Murray, KY 42071
(502) 762-6802
Fax (502) 762-6803

Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. Esther Leung
EKU Department of Special Education
245 Wallace Building
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
(606) 622-4442
Fax (606) 622-4443

University of Kentucky
Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter
UK Department of Special Education
229 Taylor Education Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0001
(606) 257-7905
Fax (606) 257-1325

University of Louisville
Dr. Joseph Hersh
U of L Child Evaluation Center
571 S. Floyd Street, Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40202-3828
(502) 852-7500
Fax (502) 852-0955

Northern Kentucky University
Laura Thompson
NKU-Northem Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services
504 Johns Hill Road
Highland Heights, KY 41099-5750
(606) 442-3510
Fax (606) 442-3515

Morehead State University
Dr. Cathy Barlow
Morehead State University
Department of Elementary Reading and Special Education
300 Ginger Hall
Morehead, KY 40351-1689
(606) 783-5044
Fax (606) 783-2598

The teams are made up of a Program Consultant and a Parent Consultant. Each person on this team can help with additional questions regarding First Steps services.