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North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsSECTION 1 - INTRODUCTIONProgram Description1. North Hudson Community Action Head Start has been in operation since 1965 andbegan providing services for Early Head Start in 1999. We currently provide servicesto 501 Head Start children and their families. We have five (5) centers that operateHead Start preschool classrooms, with centers located in each of the three (3) localschool districts of North Hudson (West New York, Union City, and Kearny). In ourWest New York and Union City centers we provide Early Head Start services. NorthHudson Community Action Corporation Head Start and Early Head Start haslongstanding relationships and collaborative partnerships with the local schooldistricts, community organizations, families, and the county at large. Fundedenrollment for the 2020/2021 program year was 501 (367 Head Start, 104 Early HeadStart and 30 pregnant women).2. On March 20, 2020, the Governor of NJ mandated that all schools close due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Our centers were shuttered until June 22, 2020 when ouressential staff was allowed to return to work. During this closure, the main focus forour program was to ensure our families and students continue to receive the servicesthey needed using safe means as outline by the Office of Head Start, Office ofLicensing, Department of Education and Local State community partnerships.Administrative meeting was held virtually and communication among stakeholderswas completed via surveys and telephone conferences.1

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsNorth Hudson Community Action Corporation Head Start/Early Head Start hasestablished the following goals for our five- year grant: Program Goal 1: Education and Early Childhood Development Services:Improve each child’s school readiness outcomes. Program Goal 2: Health/Mental Health/ Nutrition Services: To strengthen the supportprovided to families on prioritized health and nutrition related issues. Program Goal 3: Family Engagement: To strengthen the services provided toour families that are timely and responsive to their needs. Program Goal 4: Program Design and management: To maintain the highest levelof quality service, integrity, and professionalism Program Goal 5: Program Professional Development: To provide enhancedprofessional development opportunities for all staff. Program Goal 6: Safe environment/ Facilities/ Materials and Equipment: Toensure facilities comply with all state and local licensing mandates.2

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsContext for the Self-Assessment1. North Hudson Community Action Corporation Head Start/Early Head Start conductsan annual self-assessment in accordance with Head Start Performance Standard1302.102 (b) (2). The self-Assessment process began January 2020 in order to ensuretimely completion of the Self-Assessment and development of the ProgramImprovement Plan. The development of the Self-Assessment relied on program data,surveys, interviews and Community Assessment to complete an evaluation of theprogram’s progress toward meeting goals, compliance with regulatory requirements,and the effectiveness of professional development and family engagement systems inpromoting school readiness.2. The Self-Assessment Planning teams were comprised of department managers, servicearea staff, Policy Council representatives, parents, and external community memberswith demonstrated abilities in data analysis and collaborative inquiry.3. The topics selected for the 2020 Self-Assessment were in alignment with therequirements of Head Start Performance Standard 1302.102(b)(2) and best practicesrecommended by the Head Start Early Childhood Learning & KnowledgeCenter(ECLKC) for areas to focus on that will ensure an effective self-assessmentprocess.4. Summaries of the 2019 Self-Assessment Report/ OHS Monitoring results/ ProgramGoals Matrix and quarterly report results from each service area, progress on theprogram’s five year goals and objectives, child outcome data, family engagement data,and professional development summaries were all used as data sources to identifyprogram strengths, successes, and areas of improvement within the pre-determinedfocus areas.3

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary Results5. Last year’s Self-Assessment had the following recommendations, and we haveincluded the progress on these recommendations to show the growth and qualityimprovement within our program:Facilities & Learning Environmenta. Identify new location for preschool classrooms located at our North Bergen center.In progressb. Identify additional funding opportunities to expand Early Head Start slots.Completed 2020 Early Head Start Expansion grant proposalc. Secure one-time funding for a proposed move to new North Bergen location.Not startedd. Identify funding sources for possible purchase of new school bus.On-going2. Data and Evaluationa. Continue to fine tune school readiness plan to include more advanced dual language learner initiatives.On-goingb. Continue to develop uniformity in the reporting of data to Policy Council and Board by ensuring that itis more user-friendly.On -going3. Training & Professional Developmenta. Ensure the program continues to demonstrate progress toward five-year program goals in reference toinstituting a professional development program that ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.Completedb. Continue to ensure staff have the knowledge needed to meet program goals and objectives throughservice area workshops, college credit attainment, and curriculum training.Completedc. Continue to encourage all staff to register for state required webinars & virtual workshops that arerelate to one’s profession or job responsibilities including on-going monitoring.Completede. Update Staff Orientation and Development Record form to include department specific trainings.Completed4

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary Resultsf.Continue to develop a plan to increase the ESL classes already being offered to staff.Not started4. Communicationa. Increase networking opportunities to spread the Head Start Advantage message in the community.Program videos were uploaded to YOUTUBE, continued to attend community outreach events,created vibrant banners and placed them in strategic locations around our communityb. Update current NHCAC Head website to include parent friendly links.in progressc. Identify systems to increase parent communications through text and email (myheadstart.org).Progress: Beginning with the 19/20 program year, we began sending families, text/email messageusing myheadstart.org. We have developed guidelines that indicate that if a family does notrespond to first text/email, a second text/email will be sent a week later. If families do not respondto the second text/email, a letter is mailed with a contact by date. If no contact is made, theapplication will be abandoned, and will not remain on the wait list. Most families are respondingto the text/email, and are updating contact information regularly.5. Fiscal Managementa. Analyze current budget to find areas where cost savings can be achieved.Completed: cost savings in kitchen / facility suppliesb. Seek out district partnership funding optionsOn-goingc. Prioritize future COLA awards towards staff salaries not currently at the mandatory minimum wage rate.Completed5

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsSECTION 2 - METHODOLOGYJanuary 2020Pre-Phase - Review of Program DataActionPurposeSelf-AssessmentPlanning MeetingPlanning for self-assessment process(creation of timeline)Self- Assessmentdata reviewHighlight trends/ patternsReview of 2019 self-assessmentgoals and process of completionDetermine which area of 2019 SelfAssessment has not been fullyachieved.February 2020Phase One- Design the ProcessActionPurposeDesign and collection ofProgram data/ quarterly reportsDivision of responsibilitiesLook for trends, patterns in serviceSummary of quarterlyreports/ student outcomes/parent surveysCollect additional data and analyzealready existing dataDetermine areas of focusMarch thru June 2020Phase Two- Engage the teamMet with Management team virtually to discuss process and timeframes for completion.Based on the review of last year’s Self-Assessment Report and Improvement Plan, ongoingmonitoring reports and the progress of Program Goals, the following subgroups wereformed: Education/Disabilities & Mental Health ERSEA (Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, and Attendance) andParent, Family and Community Engagement Human Resources/Professional Development Fiscal Health & Safety/Nutrition/Facilities/Transportation6

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsData Collection Tools UsedThe following is a sample list of tools and items used for on-going monitoring and support of theprogram. Each sub group used various tools to assess the areas of strength and possible areas forprogram improvement and/or course corrections. Attendance at Family Events/ parent committee meetingsBirth – 5 School Readiness GoalsCommunity SurveysParent SurveyChild Care Licensing RegulationsCDC COVID -19 RecommendationsSafe Schools Training Logs for staffOffice of Licensing MandatesFamily Goals for 19/20 and Family Interview Assessment ResultsHealth and Safety ChecklistsHome Visit notesPolicy Council minutesStaff Input and Feedback through conversationsTS Gold Outcomes on School Readiness Goals – Fall and Winter Checkpoints forPreschool and Summer Volunteer Handbook/Personnel PoliciesManager’s meeting minutes7

North Hudson Community Action CorporationHead Start/Early Head Start2020-2021 Self-Assessment Summary ResultsSECTION 3 – KEY INSIGHTSPhase Three- Analyze and DialogueProgram StrengthsThe following were found to be strengths and considerations within the NHCAC Head Start/EarlyHead Start Program:Focus AreaI.Facilities &LearningEnvironmentsStrengthsConsiderationsAnnual completion ofHealth and SafetychecklistHealth and safetyconcerns: Asreported in the 2018Self-AssessmentReport, our NorthBergen center wasfound to have lead insome ceiling tiles.High levels of leadand copper were alsofound in the water.Remedies have beenmade but because ofthe growing concernsof future lead issues,a new location forour North Bergenclassrooms is still amajor priority.2019-2020 funding hasallowed for upgradingkitchen appliances,internet installations andadditional airconditioning systemsCOVID-19 fundingallowed us to upgradeour facilities to meet theCDC recommendationand Office of licensingmandatesCOVID-19 fundingallowed program tooffer in-person Summerprogram to Head StartfamiliesLearningEnvironment:As of March of 2020,demand for infantand toddler slotscontinue to be high.There is a great needto identify additionalfunding opportunitiesto reduce this waitinglist and service moreparents.8