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Meeting Date:
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Category:
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Report of the Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation |
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Type:
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Subject:
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6. Action on Head Start Matters: Request to Approve Submission of the Continuation Grant Enrollment Reduction Plan and a Request to Extend the Project Period for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Grant |
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement
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Attachments:
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) requires the participation — through review, feedback, and approval — of the Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start Policy Council and Board of School Directors in the approval of the application for enrollment reduction ( a change in scope) . Section 640(g)(3) of the Head Start Act (the Act) allows programs to propose a reduction to their funded enrollment to maintain quality of program services. All change in scope requests are subject to approval by Office of Head Start and must be submitted, at a minimum, 90 days before planned implementation. An application will be submitted via the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES) as a change in scope, so to reduce funded enrollment slots without a reduction in program operations funding. The same change in scope was approved and submitted within the continuation application that was forwarded to the Office of Head Start in February of 2023. However; MPS Head Start program was informed of the need to submit and approve a Non-Competing Continuation - Enrollment Reduction Grant Application. The MPS Head Start Policy Council was presented with, discussed and approved the enrollment reduction /change in scope plan on May 25, 2023. MPS Head Start is requesting approval of the enrollment reduction/change in scope plan that would be submitted to the Office of Head Start. President Biden signed Public Law 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), into law on March 11, 2021. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan included $1 billion for Head Start programs. At that time, Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start program received $1.6 million in ARP funding to expend by March 31, 2023 deadline. With ARP funding, Grantees have flexibility to determine which one-time investments best support the needs of staff, children, and families. Milwaukee public Schools Head Start plans to utilize funds on efforts that support enrollment and recruitment, mental health, staff wellness, professional learning and remodeling efforts that apply to the classroom or playgrounds. The MPS Head Start Policy Council was presented with, discussed and approved the request for the project period extension to expend ARP funds during the May 25, 2023 meeting. MPS Head Start is requesting approval to request an extension of the project period to expend the remaining ARP funds to invest in supports that address the needs of children, families, and staff. |
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Does not authorize expenditures. |
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Implementation and Assessment Plan: |
Upon approval of this item, the Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start program will submit the enrollment reduction/change in scope plan and request an extension for the project period to expend ARP funding on investments that support the needs of staff, children and families. |
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Recommendation
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The Board approve the request for approval of the enrollment reduction plan and the project period extension of American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant. |
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Approvals:
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Recommended By: |
Signed By: |
![](/images/signature.gif) |
Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer |
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