Management Planning Institute, Inc. (MPI) has been in the business of providing comprehensive services to the Head Start community for over 30 years. We train grantees and delegate agencies and observe more than 600 Head Start classrooms annually, focusing on the interpretation, and implementation of the performance standards, regulations, and requirements. Our training and technical assistance programs are designed to assist Boards, Policy Groups, and Program Staff maximize their ability to interpret these standards and develop effective program plans to guarantee quality Head Start services for children and families.

We recognize that over the past several years Head Start programs have had to comply with increasingly complex federal performance standards. While most Head Start organizations delivery quality programming to the children they serve, many struggle as they try to adequately address both systems and service needs identified within these standards. The Head Start Bureau reports that of 554 grantees that were reviewed in 2000, 85 percent were found to be providing quality services to children and their families. The remaining 15 percent of grantees were deficient and were required to take corrective actions. Report on Head Start Monitoring Year 2000

Performance Standards

Head Start Program Performance standards provide uniform definitions of quality services for all providers of Head Start services. Our comprehensive training and technical assistance programs are based on these standards and are designed to ensure that participants develop the skills and infrastructure necessary to interpret and implement these regulations.

Program Governance

Developing a process for shared governance is critical to the success of any Head Start organization over the long term. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in fiscal year 2004 more than 60% of the grantees identified as being deficient, were deficient in governance. More than 35% of the grantees with noncompliance findings have findings in governance. MPI’s program governance training is tailored to enhance the knowledge and function of the Governing Body, Policy Council/Committee, Parent Committees and Program Administration. We assist organizations in the development of internal procedures to mediate disputes or resolve an impasse. We also assist with training of Board members, policy council and policy committee members as it relates to duties, responsibilities collaboration and shared decision-making.

Self-Assessment Each Head Start program experiences PRISM reviews every three years. If they are to succeed in the review process, agencies must commit to extensive preparation including an in-depth evaluation of the organization’s effectiveness and progress in meeting goals and objectives. Management Planning Institute, Inc. (MPI) has more than 30 years experience preparing and assisting delegate and grantee agencies for review. As part of the evaluation process, MPI experts help grantees and delegate agencies identify potential areas of non-compliance and gain a better understanding of the relationship between systems and services. This self-assessment allows the entire Head Start organization (Governing Body, Policy Council/Committees and Management Staff to look closely at their programs and develop a plan for continuous improvement based on internal findings and recommendations.

Strategic Planning

Head Start performance standards mandate that grantees and delegate agencies develop an annual strategic plan to:

1. Identify and prioritize grantees and delegate needs.
2. Review mission statement,
3. Develop core beliefs,
4. Identify agency's vision, and
5. Develop strategies for identifying and implementing goals and objectives.

MPI’s trainers help guide Head Start organizations through the process of developing a strategic plan.

Training on Assessment and Outcome Procedures:

As of October of 2001, Head Start was mandated to assess all children three times a year, in specific domains, domain elements, and indicators. We are equipped to assist grantee and delegate agencies with the interpretation of these mandates, thus, implementing positive child outcomes. We prepare teachers to develop strategies for implementation, and provide clear guidelines to differentiate between developmental screening and assessment. We will provide grantee and delegate agencies with strategies for assessing children and approaches for aggregating outcome data.

Develop Community Needs Assessment:

Performance Standards mandate that a community needs assessment be developed and updated annually. We have the ability to assist grantee and delegate agency in developing community needs assessments, determining levels of involvement, informational needs, and identifying strategies and resources. This process allows for direct data gathering and useful interpretative outcomes.