The Uniqueness of the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program’s Family Engagement Strategies
Presenters Cleo Rodriguez, Jr., Executive Director, National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Assoc. (512)913‐3165 ∙ cleojr@unitedcorpuschristichamber. com Bill Castellanos, Child, Youth and Family Services Division Director (805) 544‐4355, ext. 220 ∙ bcastellanos@capslo.org Elizabeth “Biz” Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer (805) 544‐4355, ext. 100 ∙ esteinberg@capslo.org Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO) 1030 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.capslo.org
The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) Mission The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo is committed to eliminating the causes of poverty by empowering low‐income individuals and families to achieve self‐sufficiency through a wide array of community‐based collaborations and programs
Community Action Partnership CAPSLO has been a Community Action Agency since Leadership Team 1965. CAPSLO achieved and received the Award of Excellence in August of 2016 and provides the following programs: Adult Day Services Child, Youth, and Family Services (includes Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant & Seasonal Head Start programs, and Child Resource Connection ) Energy Conservation/Weatherization Services Community & Family Support Services Health and Prevention Homeless Services Supportive Services to Veteran Families
National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) Mission By advocating for resources, creating partnerships, and affecting public policy, the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association works to ensure that quality comprehensive services are available to all eligible farmworker children and their families.
Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association NMSHSA Receives the Ohtli Award Ohtli Award, received from the Consulate in for the Internship Program Mexico for the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association efforts with intern programs Summer Intern Mentoring Program Open to former Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Children Currently enrolled juniors or seniors in college Are active students in this community with proven potential 7 week internship includes stipend, housing and work placement in DC area Program has finished 6 years now. Applications open soon for 2018
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Historical Perspective
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) program is one of the largest community based service providers in the nation, providing a wide range of services to more than 30,500 migrant and seasonal children, ages birth to compulsory school age, and their families each year. The MSHS program provides education and support services to low-income children of migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families.
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Eligibility Criteria Income below federal poverty guidelines Birth to compulsory school Age The entire family must have moved within the last 24 months in search of agricultural work 51% of income from agriculture within the last 12 months‐families must meet this requirement each year
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Definitions: The term “migrant and seasonal Head Start program” means; A. With respect to services for migrant farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged in agricultural labor and who have changed their residence from one geographical location to another in the preceding two year period; and B. With respect to services for seasonal farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who have not changed their residence to another geographic location in the preceding two year period. C. Handout on definition upon request (Head Start Act, as amended 10/27/98)
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Bringing Family Engagement Forward • Former parents receive numerous opportunities for growth • Many former agricultural workers pursue careers in other areas • 98% of classroom pre‐school teachers have a college degree • 54% of classroom infant and toddler teacher have a college degree • Remaining 46% have a CDA and currently enrolled in an AA degree program • Internship • Work Experience • Entrepreneurial opportunities – i.e. landscape, construction, etc.
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) provides comprehensive child development services to farm worker families: Families work in various sectors of agriculture. Work is physically demanding and requires special skills. Workers receive low wages and are exempt from over time pay. Most farm worker families earn less than $10,000/year. Farm workers usually do not receive health benefits, yet agricultural work makes them susceptible to heat stress, exposes them to pesticides, and requires they work in hazardous conditions. Families must migrate from state to state to follow crop cycles
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style MSHS programs are different from other Head Start programs: They are designed to meet the unique challenges and opportunities faced by migrant children and seasonal farm worker families. The nature of farm labor requires full day services, often from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 days a week. Many MSHS programs operate from May to October when labor is needed in the crop fields. Many of the families are on the move for much of the year and need services at different times, in different states and locations. Families must be employed in agriculture to receive services.
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style MSHS programs: Strive to provide coordinated services to mobile families as they migrate Ensure that academic and medical records are transferred with families when they move When possible, assist in placing children in another MSHS program at their next destination Partner with other social and health service organizations and agencies Are an important resource for families and provides a critical service to the agricultural industry
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Migrant families face many challenges, including: Lack of affordable housing Literacy in primary and secondary language Gangs An increase in single parent families Limited quality family interactions due to long work days/hours Discrimination faced in the workplace, public policies, and in broader society Immigration status/laws Advocates for migrant and seasonal farm workers provide strong support, but enhancements and integration of services is needed. Exposed to environmental toxins such as pesticide Migrant and Seasonal children are exposed to other health and safety risks faced by children in poverty. Access to health care and portability of Medicaid from state to state can have a significant impact on the health status of Migrant and Seasonal One training and technical assistance office provides services to all Migrant and Seasonal programs located in 38 states.
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style Migrant and Seasonal Head Start families often draw strength from: Devotion to their families Support from extended family members Strong beliefs, a sense of pride, and cultural awareness Strong work ethic and an eagerness to succeed Encouragement of educational advancement for increased professional development Development of family goals which fosters access to community resources
CAPSLO Migrant and Seasonal Head Start National Representation for Community Action and Head Start National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (NMSHSA) as Board Members Staff also participate/Bill Castellanos President of the NMSHSA National Head Start Association for Region 12 Includes Friend, Director, Staff, Parent (Biz, Bill, Ivette, Theresa) National Community Action Partnership First Vice President/Biz Steinberg National American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Collaboration office
Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master title style CAPSLO Migrant and Seasonal Head Start CAPSLO MSHS: Provides services in the 9 counties of Fresno, Kern, Monterey, Orange, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties Receives funds to serve 2,610 children under base, supplemental, and Early Head Start– Child Care Partnership grants Serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers, preschool children, and their families Operates center‐based and family child care options Is a National Head Start Association Program of Excellence
CAPSLO Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Funded Enrollment by Program Option • 5 days/week – full day (Center Based Option) 28,000 • Home based option N/A • Family Child Care (FCC) Option 2,017 • Pregnant Moms 80 • Child Care Partnerships 2,714
Recommend
More recommend
