Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Head Start Annual Report 2010
Head Start Annual Report 2010
1
Message from Leadership 3
Dave Dexheimer, Executive Director 3
Linda Bleything, Head Start/Early Head Start Director 4
Community Impact 5
Community, Economic, School Readiness 5
Family Snapshot 6
Direct Services Demographics 6
Education 7
Disabilities 8
Mental Health 9
Health & Dental 10
Monitoring 11
Licensing 12
Parent Involvement 13
Exemplary Practices 14
Educational Assistance Programs 14
PEAR 14
EEIP 14
Program Highlights 15
Community Support 16
Partner Locations 16
Project List 16
Partners 17
Programs 17
Partner of the Year 14
Healthy Families 18
Mentoring Children of Prisoners 19
Trainings 20
Financials 21
Head Start/Early Head Start Federal Financial Report 21
Head Start/Early Head Start Budget 22
Early Head Start ARRA Expansion Financial Status Report 23
Early Head Start ARRA Expansion Budget 24
ARRA—COLA/QI Financial Status Report 25
ARRA—COLA/QI Budget 26
Healthy Families Financial Status Report 27
Healthy Families Budget 28
Independent Auditor Report 29
Report on Internal Controls 31
Report on Compliance 33
Audit Summary 35
Auditor Letter 39
Department of Health & Human Services Letter 40
Response to Eligibility Determination 43
Response to Segregation of Duties 44
Federal Awards 45
Community Donor List 46
Board Members 47
Staff List 48
Contact Information 49
Central Office 49
Centers 50
*Posted on Douglass Community Services Website at www.douglassonline.org. This report shall be updated
annually by March 31st. 2
Messages from Leadership
Dave Dexheimer
Executive Director
As I look back on the year just ended, I can’t help but reflect on what a significant time it has
been in the life of Douglass Community Services and Head Start/ Early Head Start.
First of all we accomplished the feat of adding several new staff and creating partnerships with
several new organizations to implement an additional 72 Early Head Start children. We began
a new teacher mentoring project in which Master Teachers spent time helping our staff become
even better at the opportunities provided us in the classroom. We also began the process of
identifying volunteers who will serve as mentors to our children who have a parent in the
prison system. We have continued to strengthen the relationships between couples and help
singles and adolescents develop relationship skills through the Healthy Families Project. All
the while we continued providing quality services to our children and their families in our eight
counties we serve.
As we look forward, we do so with a careful eye on the fiscal implications that the federal
budget process may have on our programs. As is evident, this process is ongoing and a bit
uncertain. Rest assured we are planning ahead, preparing for any bumps in the road. As the
future unfolds, we intend to be right here, continuing the excellent services you have grown
accustomed to and expect.
We do need your help. I hope you will always be looking for ways you can be a part of our
efforts. Whether it is volunteering in the classroom, serving on one of our numerous
committees, helping around the centers, or working as an advocate for continued funding, your
services are necessary and appreciated.
As I look ahead to the coming year, I do so with anticipation because of what I see still needs
to be accomplished. With your assistance we will surge ahead and, once again, be able to make
a significant impact on our children, families, and communities.
Dave Dexheimer
Executive Director
Douglass Community Services, Inc.
Mike Marx
Board President
3
Messages from Leadership
In 2010, Douglass Community Services Head Start and Early Head Start programs continued to grow and provide
additional services to Head Start families and the communities in which Head Start centers are located. Resources
made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 were prudently used to ensure good
stewardship of taxpayer funds. The highlight for our program was the ability to replace the aging facility in New
London with one that will now meet all state licensing regulations and provide an environment for quality care and
academic instruction. We were also able to upgrade other facilities and playgrounds that have been neglected
because of years of increased costs without increased funding.
Families in our communities continue to struggle as community economic conditions create a decrease in resources
and more competition for available resources. Six hundred forty one (641) families received Head Start services in
2010. Thirty one (31) DCS Head Start families were homeless at some point during 2010.
Because of Head Start services, 570 children became up-to-date on the Missouri schedule of preventative and
primary health care and 455 children received preventive dental care. In addition, twenty pregnant, teenage girls
received prenatal education and were ensured of prenatal and postpartum health care.
Special grant funding provides opportunity to share our resources with others in the community. The Healthy
Families program continued in all eight counties in the DCS Head Start service area with 250 individuals
completing a total of 6,552 hours of relationship building skills sessions in 2010. These sessions build awareness
about how to treat significant partners and the effect that relationship has on their children’s behaviors and
influences the success of their own relationships.
New to DCS Head Start in 2010 is the Mentoring Children of Prisoners grant which will be fully operational in
2011, offering children ages 4 to 18 mentors who create quality, long lasting, one-on-one relationships providing
role models for future success.
In 2010, the 133 employees of Douglass Community Services Head Start contributed $3,768,566 to the
local economy through their payroll. Seventy three percent of Head Start and Early Head Start teachers
hold degrees in education or a related field. And, although not a grant requirement, 34% of social service
staff hold degrees in a social service related field.
If you would like more information about Douglass Community Services Head Start programs, visit us online at
http://douglassonline.org/headstart/.
Thank you to our community partners, volunteers and donors for your support
last year. Everyone at DCS Head Start appreciate your show of support for our
work in helping children and families to meet their full potential.
Linda Bleything
Program Director
DCS Head Start
4
The DCS Head Start/Early Head Start Mission is to help children and families realize their
full potential.
The truth about poverty in Douglass Community Services Northeast Missouri services area
today is that over one in four children (26.9%) live in a poverty household. 92% of DCS
Head Start families served in 2010 had income below 100% federal poverty line which is
$22,050 for a family of four. Research suggests that on average a family of four needs
$44,100 to meet their most basic needs (Missouri Community Action Partnership).
Head Start services were provided to 31 homeless families in 2010, a 28% increase over
2009. DCS Head Start, Early Head Start, and Healthy Marriage Initiative made a lasting
impact in communities across eight counties in Northeast Missouri through direct services
provided to 715 families.
Economic Impact:
The DCS Head Start and Early Head Start program provides quality early childhood
education and care, free of charge, so that parents can stay in the workforce and be assured
that their children are in a safe and nurturing environment. Eighty-five percent (85%) of
DCS Head Start families live on less than $15,000 a year. The average annual cost of child
care in our area is $5,675—or a minimum of 38% of income. (Child Care Aware Missouri,
2010). DCS parents could not afford to pay for child care and remain in the workforce.
In addition, the 133 employees of DCS Head Start contributed $3,768,566 to the local
economy through their payroll in 2010.
School Readiness
Children’s academic growth is supported in DCS Head Start classrooms to prepare the
child to more readily succeed in school. Measurements of children’s progress are aligned
with Missouri’s state pre-K standards. 100% Head Start teachers have a minimum of an
Associate’s Degree, with 50% holding Bachelors or an advanced degree.
5
Total number of families: 641
Enrollment by age:
Under 1 year: 9% 3 years old: 34%
1 year old: 8% 4 years old: 36%
2 years old: 7% teen moms: 3%
Enrollment by ethnicity:
White: 75%
African American: 11%
Biracial: 12%
Hispanic: 2%
6
Our program began using The Creative Curriculum®. The Creative Curriculum® is a research-
based system that offers early childhood educators a comprehensive collection of resources to
help them build high-quality programs.
The Creative Curriculum® offers comprehensive support in four essential areas: curriculum,
assessment, professional development, and family connection.
All resources are available in English and in Spanish, which supports Spanish-speaking children
in maintaining their home language while they also acquire English language and literacy skills.
Before beginning any journey, you need to know where you are heading. With The Creative
Curriculum®, that is the role played by the objectives for development and learning. The
Creative Curriculum® assessment system, through Teaching Strategies Gold uses color-coded
charts to depict progressions of development and learning for each objective. These enable
education staff to quickly determine the developmental levels of children in their classroom so
they can plan instruction appropriately.
This system addresses 10 areas of development and learning that help teachers ensure that they
are focusing on what’s most important, each and every day. The areas of development and
learning are Social–Emotional, Physical, Oral Language, Cognitive, Literacy, Mathematics,
Science and Technology, Social Studies, The Arts, and English Language Acquisition.
We began using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). This instrument was
selected by the Office of Head Start to respond to the legislative mandate to use a valid and
reliable tool to assess classroom quality. The CLASS assessment may be used during the
program review process and offers data for self-assessment by the
grantee.
During 2010, five DCS Head Start staff were trained to use the class
instrument. Prior to 2010, there was only one staff person trained to
administer this assessment. Head Start also implemented the use of
Master Teachers. They work with, train, and mentor staff that scored
in the low to mid range of the assessment in order to improve their
teaching skills that, in turn, will raise their CLASS scores.
The CLASS tool is only used in classrooms with children ages 3-5.
The 0-3 classrooms continue to use the Infant-Toddler Environmental
Rating System (ITERS) to assess staff and classrooms.
7
All of our classrooms are inclusive and all children participate in activities on their own level.
Education Staff members are trained to look for indications a child may have a developmental
delay. Once a concern is noted, staff work with parents to refer the child to First Steps (ages 0-
2) or the Public School (ages 3-5). Our staff is strong in their support of families through the
referral, evaluation and planning process.
Each year our partnerships with First Steps and Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) grow
stronger which allows us to better identify, refer, evaluate, and provide services for children
with disabilities..
One way we have developed that strong partnership is through the Education and Disabilities
Advisory Committee which meets three times per year. Good attendance was maintained
throughout the year at these meetings and valuable input was gained through discussions on
various topics.
Our performance standards mandate that 10% of our enrollment be children with disabilities.
We maintained that requirement throughout the year.
8
Licensed mental health providers are contracted and available on a regular basis to consult with
staff and families. They include Tresa Richardson, Evergreen Behavioral Services, and White
Oak Counseling.
Our contracted mental health consultants provide special help to staff and families for children
with atypical behaviors. They observe our classrooms and provide individual strategies
immediately following the observations. Families are invited to attend these meetings and
follow-up meetings throughout the year.
We are challenged with the number of children exhibiting more and more concerning
behaviors, some of which become hurtful to others. Head Start believes the only way these
children can become more social is to have them in a social program such as ours, and helping
to teach them new ways to deal with feelings and frustrations. However, we must keep all of
our children and staff safe and this is sometimes a difficult balance.
There are few mental health providers in many of our communities that have expertise in
working with young children. Numerous providers will not even consider an appointment for a
child under the age of 5. Of the providers that are available to work with children from 0-5,
most of those do not accept the health insurance available to our families. We are challenged
with the limited resources available for mental health services for our children and families in
our service area.
We create Positive Behavior Plans with families and Individualized Intervention Plans with
contracted providers, staff, and families. We refer families to outside sources for additional
help when needed or requested. We strive to create an atmosphere in which every child can
feel successful socially and emotionally.
9
2010 saw an increased response from parents regarding physicals, dentals and immunizations.
Health Care USA mascot Doc Bear visited several centers to teach the children the importance
of dental care.
A dentist in Louisiana offered discounted services to help our children receive the care they
need.
10
Fiscal Management: We exceeded our in-kind goal for 2009. Regional Office has noted that our reports are
always filed in a timely manner. There was one finding on the annual audit. One child’s file was misplaced. We
have put new systems in place to assure all files are tracked as they move from Center to Center or to Central
Office.
Program Governance: DCS has an active Parent Policy Council and Board of Directors which include the
required members with financial, early childhood and legal experience.
Shared Decision Making: Two Parent Policy Council members also sit on the Board of Directors. All policies
and procedures are reviewed by the Joint Governance Committee. This committee includes members from both
bodies to assure agreement prior to presentation to their respective bodies.
Self-Assessment: We had many outside reviewers and some who had never participated before. Specialists used
improved protocols and supplemented that information with their ongoing monitoring. This information was then
used to make program improvements.
Ongoing Monitoring: Our program has a strong system of ongoing monitoring both for hard copy information
and for our electronic data (Child Plus). Center staff and specialists monitor the accuracy of this data and monthly
reports are reviewed by the Board and the Policy Council.
ERSEA: All centers were fully enrolled all year. Program attendance for the year was 95%. Staff is well trained
in the eligibility process and is able to adapt to changes based on new Policy Clarifications. A file from 2008-2009
could not be located for the annual audit. Parents need supports in finding transportation and we must continue to
seek out cost effective alternatives to support them.
Planning: DCS is committed to a strong planning process. Our self assessment process is linked to the
development of long and short term goals, new policies and procedures and the annual training plan.
Communication: DCS has a system of communications which includes: group meetings, one-on-one meetings,
newsletters, email, phone calls and a variety of resources available to both staff and parents. Each center is staffed
regularly with the Central Office team. New systems have been developed which support staff with ways to
communicate their needs in training and support and ensure it is provided.
Record-Keeping and Reporting: DCS uses the Child Plus tracking system to assist with the aggregation of data
and ongoing monitoring. Specialists evaluate data and visit centers at least monthly. Reports of these visits are
reviewed by the Sr. Assistant Director. Aggregated Child Plus information is sent monthly to the HS Director, the
Sr. Assistant Director, the Policy Council and the Board of Directors. New file systems have been put in place.
Human Resources: All our classes have at least one teacher with a minimum of an Associate’s degree and over
50% have Bachelor’s and beyond. Many of our assistant teachers are working on their Associate’s degrees. Aides
and teacher assistants are working on their CDA if they do not have a degree. All centers have at least one social
service staff with a degree. Our program is working on a credentialing program for social service staff. Parents
are supported in taking classes through our PEAR program.
11
Licensing & Inspections (Per Center)
Hannibal Head Start Early Head Start, Clinic
Fire: 9/21/10 Fire: 6/25/10
Licensing: 11/22/10 Licensing: 1/14/11
Sanitation: 6/07/10 Sanitation: 7/20/10
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Parent Involvement
Activities Included:
Parents and Family Members participating in class activities, field trips and
assisting at the tables during meals.
Policy Council parent representatives from Macon Head Start and Early Head
Start - Johnson Street, and the Ralls County Center Manager attended the Parent
Leadership Training in Jefferson City in March 2010.
Parents participated in group and individual trainings. The topics for these trainings
included Conscious Discipline, Safety, I CAN Health Literacy, Relationship Skills,
Budgeting, and Love & Logic Parenting.
Successful parent fundraisers were held at many sites. The parents then purchased classroom materials, paid for
field trips, and bought outdoor equipment.
―Day of Thanks‖ meals were held in November and ―Winter Celebrations‖ were held in December. During the
Week of the Young Child in April, all centers hosted a variety of activities, such as an Open House,
community members reading the children, and meals with family members to name a few.
A lot of different activities are held in the centers throughout the year. Center Family Activities this year included
pizza parties, painting pumpkins, craft activities, Fall festivals, training on car seat safety, hayrides, carnivals and
dances. Muffins with Moms, Donuts with Dads, Dads and Dudes breakfast, Grandparents Day and Special Visitors
lunches were also hosted through out the year. Each center hosts ―End of the Year‖ celebrations through programs,
picnics or just a day or evening of family fun.
The Ann Phipps Memorial Scholarships was presented locally to Ashlee Tran (Early
Head Start - Clinic Road) in 2009. In 2010, Ashlee was presented with Ann Phipps
Memorial Scholarship from the Missouri Head Start Association, from Region VII
and from the National Head Start Association. She received a $1500 scholarship from
the NHSA and flew to Dallas, TX to accept the award. Ashlee is a nursing student at
Hannibal LaGrange University.
13
EXEMPLARY PRACTICES
Early Learning Mentor/Coach Program is a 14 month grant that provided for two
Master Teachers to mentor classroom teachers with the goal of improving quality of
instruction. This prject will last through February 2012.
Motivational Interviewing was put into action this year. This style of interviewing
family participants provides a richer picture of family’s circumstances. It allows for
practical goal setting with families.
Risk Assessment Meetings were held twice a year for each HS/EHS center. This
conversation between administration and center staff provide a detailed look at
successes and concerns that need to be addressed.
Creative Curriculum was fully integrated into Head Start and Early Head Start
classrooms. This standardized curriculum, appropriate for children birth through age
5, provided a smooth transition for children as they leave EHS to go to HS and it
allows for tracking children’s progress over a 0-5 continuum.
In the 2009-2010 school year, 11 parents were approved for PEAR funds and 7 went on
to use their funds.
The PEAR program is designed to assist parents with the costs associated with school
and/or vocational training not covered under grants or other scholarships. Parents are
eligible for a scholarship up to $250. In return, parents agree to meet specific
requirements to receive the scholarship dollars, such as volunteer hours and maintaining
attendance and good grades through the completion of the program they are using the
scholarship towards.
In 2010, 9 staff members were approved and 9 went on to use their funds. In 2010 2
staff members completed their Bachelor’s degree.
The EEIP program is designed to assist staff members with the costs associated with
increasing their level of education. In return, staff members agree to meet specific
requirements to receive the monies, such as maintaining attendance and good grades as
well as continued employment with DCS Head Start/Early Head Start.
14
DCS Head Start received a 3 year Mentoring Children of Prisoners grant
that will provide mentoring relationships that provide role models for future
success for children ages 4-18.
Monroe City Head Start center was awarded the Head Start Body Start
grant to upgrade their playground and provide additional equipment.
Early Head Start Parent, Ashlee Tran, received the national Ann Phipps
Memorial Scholarship. Ashlee is enrolled in the nursing program at
Hannibal La Grange University.
15
Partnership Centers
Veteran’s Elementary, in Hannibal, MO
The Learning Center, in Bowling Green, MO
The Literacy Center, in Macon, MO
Giggles & Grins, in Lewistown, MO
Bear Hugs & Books, in Bowling Green, MO
Tiny Treasures, in Moberly, MO
16
Partners
Douglass Community Services Head Start and Early Head Start works side-by-side with
other programs to help support the community. Some of these partners are:
Foster Grandparents
Experience Works
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
Heart to Heart Community Outreach, Inc.
Pike County Agency for Developmentally Disabled
Hannibal Knights of Columbus
Hannibal Early Bird Kiwanis
Hannibal Special Services
NECAC Family Planning
Family and Community Together (FACT)
17
The Healthy Families Project served 1039 individuals in 2010. The project
focuses on helping individuals learn about healthy relationships, stress and
anger management, communication skills, and connecting with their families.
Healthy Families Project activities are funded through a special grant from the
Administration for Children, Office of Head Start. Participants not meeting Head
Start income and eligibility guidelines can also attend for a minimal fee.
18
Mentoring Children of Prisoners
In October 2010, we received funding to embark upon a new program to help children of
incarcerated parents deal with the economic, social, and emotional burdens of parental
incarceration and relationship disruption through a new program, Mentoring Children of
Promise/Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP).
The purpose of the program is to provide quality, long lasting, one on one relationships that
provide young people with caring role models for future success. It is about someone the
child can learn to trust and rely on. Mentors can take the child fishing, to a movie, show
them how to cook, go to the park, take them to church or just spend an hour listening to
them.
The age range of the children is 4-18 years old. All volunteers receive training and
background checks. Special care is be taken to match up children and mentors to ensure
establishment of a positive relationship for a minimum of 12 months.
For the first year, MCP will serve 60 children in Marion and Ralls counties. In the second
year, MCP will extend to Macon and Randolph counties and serve an additional 60
children. By the third year, MCP will be active in all 8 counties that DCS serves and will
add an additional 60 children.
19
TRAININGS
2010 played host to many incredible trainings that the DCS-HS/EHS staff were able to take
advantage of:
9 teachers were able to attend the Conference on the Young Years conference in
Osage Beach, MO (five of which were sponsored by the MPP program Nuts & Bolts in
Macon)
2 staff and 1 parent attended the annual NHSA (National Head Start Association)
Annual Conference
5 staff attended the Region 7 Leadership Conference
3 staff attended the Birth to Three Institute
2 staff attended the Region 7 Directors’ Caucus
HS Director and Asst. Director attended the NHSA Leadership Institute
5 staff were trained and certified in CLASS (a monitoring tool)
1 staff and 2 parents attended MHSA Parent Leadership Training
HS Director, Sr. Asst. Director and EHS Administrator attended the EHS National
Orientation
Finance Director and Asst. Director attended the R7HS: Building a Fundable Application
training
12 EHS Expansion staff attended the Infant/Toddler CCOT training presented by
MOCCRRN
2 EHS Expansion staff attended PITC training
2 staff attended the ―Prevent Child Abuse‖ conference
2 staff and 1 board member attended the ―Dual Language Learners‖ training
16 staff attended the ―Families First‖ conference
3 staff attended the HS Home Base Institute
Sr. Asst. Director attended the HS Family Child Care Seminar
3 staff attended the NAEYC Conference
HS Director attended the RVII Management Institute
October 2010
20
2010
Financials (Funding Source) HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START
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Head Start/Early Head Start
Budget
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2010
Financials (Funding Source) EARLY HEA START ARRA EXPANSION
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Early Head Start ARRA Expansion
Budget
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2010
Financials (Funding Source) ARRA COLA/QI
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ARRA COLA/QI
Budget
26
2010
Financials (Funding Source) HEALTHY FAMILIES
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Healthy Families
Budget
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* Note that the Fiscal Year 2010 Audit is scheduled for April of 2011.
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Federal Awards
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Other Funding Sources
Community Donor’s List (2010)
Missouri Division of Family Services
United Way of Mark Twain Area
United Way of Randolph County
United Fund Buffalo Township
Community Fundraisers
Refreshment Services-Pepsi
Wal-Mart
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Commission on Mission and Unity
46
The 2010 DCS Head Start Board Members include:
Bunny Brown-Financial Community
47
Staff List
CENTRAL OFFICE LEWIS COUNTY HS & EHS PALMYRA
48
Douglass Community Services
Name: Phone
DCS Executive Director 228
Head Start Director 225
HS/EHS Administrative Assistant 226
Senior Assistant Director of Program Operations 232
EHS X Administrative Assistant 275
Assistant Director of Information Systems 265
Information Systems Data Clerk 242
Staff Development Specialist 239
Facilities Specialist 238
HS Health/Nutrition Administrator 258
EHS Health/Nutrition Administrator 277
Food Service Data Monitor 240
Community Partnership/Education Specialist 241
Family Outcomes Administrator 236
HS Education/Disabilities Administrator 231
EHS Educations/Disabilities Administrator 229
Education/Mental Health Administrator 245
Permanent Substitute 240
Master Teacher 273
ELMC Substitute 275
Assistant Director of Head Start Special Programs: MCP & HMIP 256
MCP Administrative Assistant 264
MCP Project Specialist 243
HMIP Project Specialist 276
HMIP Project Specialist 237
HMIP Project Specialist 244
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Staff List
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