Enrollment

POLICY:

NOCAC Head Start will enroll children in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standard 1302.15.

PROCEDURES:

1. The NOCAC Child Development Enrollment Team meets weekly to review any vacant at slots.
   1. All vacancies are to be filled within 30 days.
   2. Vacant slots will be filled with the participants from the waiting list in order of the highest criteria selection points.
   3. The participant’s family is contacted and offered a spot in the NOCAC Child Development Program by phone.
   4. Once the family accepts enrollment, the Family and Community Engagement (FCE) manager will notify the appropriate staff via email.
   5. The Data Systems Specialist will place an enrollment packet in the appropriate center’s mailbox located at the Central Office.
2. Once a participant is determined eligible for the NOCAC Child Development Program they remain so until the child transitions out of EHS into HS or until the child transitions to kindergarten.
   1. Starting in January of the current program year the FCE team creates a binder which includes:
      1. Classroom rosters
      2. Individual re-enrollment forms, including families who were determined over income
      3. A list of families who will be eligible for the Ohio Depart of Education’s (ODE) Early Childhood Education (ECE) funds, for the next program year.
      4. A list of siblings from past and present families who may be eligible to be in the program.
   2. Family Advocates (FA) speak to the families who are income eligible asking if they plan to have their child return to NOCAC Child Development for the next program year.
   3. Families who are determined to be over income are asked to provide the most current income documentation to redetermine eligibility.
   4. If the family is still determined over income:
      1. FA will explain to the family that their child is not automatically re-enrolled for the next program year.
      2. The FA will recommend to the family to have a backup plan in the event that their child will not be able to return to the NOCAC Child Development program.
   5. Families who are enrolled in the ODE ECE slots for the next program year will be asked to submit the following ECE requirements:
      1. Their most current income documentation
      2. The child’s state issues birth certificate
      3. These documents are required in order for a child to start classes
3. Under exceptional circumstances, NOCAC reserves the right to maintain a child’s enrollment in Head Start a third year, provided:
   1. A new application is completed, verifying the families income.
   2. If a participant is five by the school districts kindergarten cutoff date:
      1. A letter from the participant’s school district, on school letterhead stating;
         1. The participant is not ready for kindergarten, and
         2. The participant would benefit from an additional year with NOCAC Child Development.
         3. NOCAC agrees that a 3rd year is in the best interest of the child and family.
      2. It is written in the participant’s IEP that they will return to NOCAC Child Development.
4. NOCAC will make every effort to maintain enrollment of a homeless or foster child regardless of whether the family or participant moves to a different service area according to the family’s needs.
5. Reserved Slots.
   1. NOCAC Child Development may reserve a slot if it is determined through the community assessment that there are families experiencing homelessness, or children in foster care within the programs service area.
   2. No more than 3% of NOCAC Child Development’s funded enrollment may be reserved.
   3. If the reserved slot is not filled within 30 days the slot becomes vacant and must be filled within 30 days.
6. Children or pregnant women who have not attended or received services will be removed from the program.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

• Enrollment and Recruitment Plan