The OHS, within the Administration of Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services, awards grants to public and private agencies on a competitive basis to provide these comprehensive services to specific communities. Head Start grantees provide the services as described in the Head Start Performance Standards and in accordance with the Head Start Act of 2007. The OHS is responsible for oversight of these grantees, to ensure the performance standards are met and the best quality of care is provided to the enrolled children. In addition, some cities, states and federal programs offer funding to expand Head Start and Early Head Start to additional children within their jurisdiction.

Head Start Collaboration Offices (HSCOs) facilitate partnerships between Head Start agencies and other state entities that provide services to benefit children and their families identified as low-income.

Scope of Work The Office of Head Start has prioritized the goals of the HSCO to guide their work. The six priorities include:

• Assist in building early childhood systems by collaborating with entities involved in State and local planning processes to better meet the needs of children identified as low income from birth to school entry, and their families.
• Provide access to comprehensive services and support for all children identified as low income.
• Encourage widespread collaboration between Head Start programs and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives.
• Promote better linkages between Head Start agencies and other child and family agencies that provide health, mental health, or family services, or other child or family supportive services.
• Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting target populations and other families identified as low income.
• Augment Head Start's capacity to be a partner in state initiatives on behalf of children and their families.

For information about Michigan's Head Start State Collaboration Office, contact:

Cynthia Derby, Director
Head Start State Collaboration Office
Michigan Department of Education
517-930-4387