Special Initiatives 2006-2007

Georgia Head Start programs have undertaken two special initiatives for the 2006-2007 program year. These initiatives – one in professional development and one in oral health – build upon and extend the work that Head Start programs in our state have done during the past several years. With financial support from Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the Region IV Office of Head Start, these special initiatives will be coordinated to deliver specific services to Head Start children, families and staff in the state.

I. In collaboration and partnership with existing Georgia early care and education organizations as well as public and private institutions of higher education, Georgia Head Start programs will:

• Assist in the development of a model program for the professional development of Head Start staff, utilizing blended instructional strategies leading to a B.A./B.S. degree;
• Conduct a statewide assessment of the educational and professional training needs of Head Start staff;
• Develop a model for a "Georgia Head Start Professional Development Plan" for each Head Start staff member based on the assessment;
• Assist in the development of a "pilot system" for training and supporting career counselors for Head Start staff who are enrolled in Georgia's early and education professional development system;
• Assist key stakeholders in the development of a state-wide early care and education model of coursework articulation for Head Start staff that are advancing through Georgia's higher education system toward a B.A./B.S. degree; and
• In partnership with Sheltering Arms and the Georgia Training Institute, provide continued financial and programmatic support for the implementation of the Cornell "Family Development Credential" for Head Start Family Support staff, at both the management and front-line levels.

II. The Georgia Department of Human Resources' Division of Public Health and the Georgia Head Start Association collaborated to develop the grant application for funding of the Georgia Head Start Oral Health Forum in 2006. The Head Start Forum meeting on April 18, 2006 was held as a preliminary workshop to the annual Georgia Head Start Association Spring Conference to encourage participation by Head Start staff and parents. The title of the forum was "Addressing Barriers to Oral Health Care for Young Children: Creating a Statewide Action Plan."

The overall goal of the Forum was to learn from community members how to best resolve access to pediatric dental care issues for the Early Head Start and Head Start populations in Georgia and to engage partners in the process. Action plan development focused on formulating realistic action steps with time lines that would address the objectives identified for the forum. The following objectives were provided for small group discussion and development of the Georgia Head Start/Early Head Start (EHS/HS) Oral Health Action Plan:

• Increase Prevention and Clinical Treatment Services to EHS/HS Children
• Increase Oral Health Education Services to EHS/HS Parents, Children and Staff
• Increase the Number of Dentists and Hygienists that screen, examine and treat EHS/HS Children: Birth to age 5 years

The discussion focused on challenges, resources and the need for immediate action. Identified barriers were addressed through planned partnerships and coordination of efforts. The discussion also identified key steps for the development of action plans to improve access to oral health care for young children. Georgia Head Start programs are now entering the second year of the “Georgia Head Start Oral Health Initiative.” Primary responsibility for leadership of the Oral Health Action Plan has been assumed by the Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office, in partnership with the Georgia Head Start Association and the Georgia Department of Human Resources.