The purpose of the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is to facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies and entities that carry out activities designed to benefit low income children from birth to school entry and their families. The collaboration needs assessment addresses the needs of Head Start agencies with respect to collaboration, coordination and alignment of services. The Illinois HSSCO is situated in the Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Child Care and Development.

The following federal priority areas, which mirror Head Start service areas, are the focus of the collaboration needs assessment: health, services for children experiencing homelessness, welfare, child welfare, child care, family literacy, services for children with disabilities, community services, education, and professional development.

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Creative Curriculum Learning Games and Home Visitor’s Guide Overview
Thursday, February 11, 2010 | 9:00am - 4:00pm
Mariott Hotel | 625 S Ashland

Home Visitor Training - Series I & II
Thursday, February 18, 2010 | Friday, February 19, 2010 | 9:00am - 4:00pm
DFSS Central Office | 1615 W Chicago Ave | 1st Floor Conference Room

As part of our FY 2010 Head Start Expansion targeting the homeless population, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) has scheduled a series of trainings for the Home Visitor responsible for implementing the Home Base curriculum. DFSS has partnered with Teaching Strategies, Inc. to conduct these crucial trainings.

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Tuesday, February 9 or Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | 9:00am - 4:00pm
DFSS Central Office | 1615 W Ave | 1st Fl. Computer Lab

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) - Children Services Division, is providing mandatory training for new home visitors from agencies participating in the ARRA Head Start Home Based Expansion project. 

Participants will learn how to use the COPA information management system to document program activities, including:
• Attendance
• Health Records
• Enrollment
• Home Visit Records
• Family Partnership Agreements
• Referrals and Services

To accommodate the large number of new Home Visitors, the training will be offered on February 9 and 10. Please register for only one day of training per participant, as both sessions will cover the same material.

If you have any questions, please contact Craig Zemke at 312-743-1446 or
craig.zemke @cityofchicago.org.

Download memo | Register Online

The DFSS slot reallocation period is open once again. The deadline to submit an application for slot reallocation is February 15, 2010. Carefully review all instructions prior to attempting to complete the form. Please refer to the contact information on form if you have any questions.  Applications received after February 15, 2010 will not be accepted.

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We have compiled a list of commonly asked questions regarding the HS ARRA Expansion.  Agencies with questions regarding this may refer to this downloadable Question and Answer sheet.

Download Sheet

Important Please Read - Response Required by 1/29/2010

The Department of Family and Support Services would like to thank all agencies that participated in the CLASS assessment project for opening your classrooms to the DBCC assessors and for your ongoing efforts towards achieving and maintaining program excellence for children and families.  Please download memo and return completed information via fax to 312-743-7616 .

Congratulations to the following agencies who have been awarded additional slots for the ARRA HEAD START EXPANSION:

Abraham Lincoln | Ada S. McKinley | Carole Robertson | Catholic Charities | Chicago Commons | Chicago Youth Centers | El Valor | Family Rescue | Firman | Gads Hill | Hull House | Lutheran Social Services | Mary Crane | Salvation Army | South Central | Trinity United | Westside Holistic | YMCA

Below are the instructions and reporting forms developed by DFSS for use with documenting funding from ARRA. If you have any questions regarding these forms or need further guidance, please contact either Loukisha Smart-Pennix or Elizabeth Stover from DFFS at (312) 743-0300.

ARRA Program Reporting Instructions

Use this monthly report for COLA & Quality Improvements:
ARRA COLA & Quality Improvements Report

Use this monthly report for Head Start/Early Head Start expansion:
ARRA Head Start/Early Head Start Expansion Report

In order to assist Delegate Agency staff in meeting their educational goals, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is offering virtually full coverage of tuition and possibly books and fees (some institutions may require a minor charge).  In order to take advantage of these opportunities please review the general requirements listed below before you apply. 

1.  Applicants must be a current employee in a DFSS funded Head Start, Early Head Start, Family Child Care Home program, Child Care, or Child Care Collaboration Programs.

2.  Applicants must be in good standing at their current place of employment.

3.  Upon completion of their chosen educational program, applicants must commit to maintaining employment for 3 years in a DFSS funded Head Start, Early Head Start, or Family Child Care Home program.

4.  Applicants must submit a completed DFSS Scholarship Application form at www.childrenserviceschicago.com along with a letter of recommendation from the Agency, Program or Site Director.  Letters of recommendations for Partner Sites must be certified and completed by DA. These materials should be mailed to:

City of Chicago
Department of Family and Support Services
1615 West Chicago Avenue – 2nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60622
Attention:  Isolda Davila
(312) 743-1647

5. DFSS will maximize additional resources in conjunction with the scholarship including Gateway to Learning, Pell Grants, etc.

6. Acceptance of application is contingent upon verification of educational data in COPA.

Download: Scholarship Application | School-Age Scholarship Application | Professional Development Opportunities Booklet