OSEP 2009 National Early Childhood Conference
The Use and Reporting of ARRA Funds
for Preschool Special Education
Jim O’Brien
Office of Head Start/ACF/HHS
[email protected]
ARRA funding increase of $2.1 billion
for Head Start
• In addition to ARRA funding, the FY 09 appropriation
provided a $234.8 million funding increase for Head
Start.
• $1.1 billion from ARRA is for Early Head Start
expansion.
• The remaining $1 billion from ARRA (and the $234.8
million increase in FY 09 appropriation) was allocated
consistent with requirements of the Head Start Act.
The remaining $1.235 billion used for the following purposes,
consistent with the requirements of the Head Start Act :
• Cost-of-living increase $ 325,577,000
• Quality improvement funding $ 353,779,000
• Head Start expansion (Including AIAN and MSHS) $ 219,612,000
• Early Head Start expansion $ 199,612,000
• Increased T/TA funding $ 30,820,000
• State Advisory Councils $ 100,000,000
• Increased program support $ 3,410,000
• Centers of Excellence $ 2,000,000
Disabilities section on the ECLKC
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/Disabilities
State Planning: Project CSEFEL
SpecialQuest State Leadership Teams
SpecialQuest Ambassador Directory
Hearing Screenings in Head Start
ECHO Teams work with State Early Hearing and
Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
State-Level ECHO Teams
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Alaska
Hawai‘i
Michigan
Kentucky
Oregon
Arkansas
Colorado
Illinois
Iowa
Missouri
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Washington
Pennsylvania Utah
Connecticut
Kansas
North Carolina
District of Columbia
Virginia
Participating States receive:
• Assistance in establishing Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Teams (typically
composed of 5 individuals, at least one being a pediatric audiologist).
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Resources to conduct initial training workshops and support in establishing an
ongoing training and technical assistance system for Head Start programs.
Featured Links
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http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/Disabilities
The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is the official communication channel
for Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, TA network, regional offices, Head Start parents and
families, OHS consultants, and anyone else involved with Head Start.
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http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/states.html
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on
promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5.
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http://www.specialquest.org/summaries.htm
SpecialQuest resources are designed to touch the “head, heart, and hands” of families and
professionals working together to create inclusive communities for young children with disabilities.
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http://www.infanthearing.org/earlychildhood/hss.html
NCHAM's Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Initiative focuses on "echo-ing" successful
newborn hearing screening efforts by extending the benefit of periodic hearing screening to
children 0 – 3 years of age in a variety of settings including Head Start settings.