Since we announced this two-day training, much has happened in the Head Start world.  There is litigation over ACF’s declaration that a single incident involving an employee renders the entire Head Start agency deficient, a number of new regulations have hit the streets including new Head Start performance standards, a stepped approach by HHS to implement the Uniform Guidance for HHS grantees like Head Start agencies, a revised, after over 15 years of waiting, HHS Grants Policy Statement, underenrollment sanctions and appeals are in full swing and, when we gather for this training, our country will have a new President-Elect.  There is a lot to process so join our experienced attorneys as we dissect the changes, explain fundamental elements of the Head Start program and learn from each other.  

While every Head Start organization is different, the same rules apply to everyone (and there are a lot of rules). It can be challenging to keep everything straight between requirements under the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), state regulations, and federal laws like the Uniform Guidance. In the era of the Designation Renewal System (DRS), getting it wrong can have huge negative consequences.

Over two days, Feldesman attorneys will:

• Describe the laws that apply to Head Start programs
• Explain where the rules come from, what they mean on a practical level, and how to meet the standards for compliance
• Provide the View from Washington – news from Capitol Hill and potential changes and challenges for Head Start programs on the horizon

This training is a crash course in managing a Head Start program, covering the key topics every Head Start leader needs to understand; highlighting the challenges you face every day and sharing specific examples to ensure that you know how to identify an issue and address what you've learned.

Fiscal Integrity and Management Issues

• Facilities and property management (Federal Interest)
• Financial management systems
• Procurement policies and procedures

Grants Management

• Time & effort reporting
• General requirements and program-specific flexibility
• Areas of heightened risk and implementation challenges

Health and Safety

• Current reporting requirements
• Drafting written procedures that address your major issues
• Managing fallout

Human Resources

• Navigating pre-employment and the hiring process
• Complying with requirements that apply during employment
• Approaching the termination process

ERSEA

• Documentation and recordkeeping obligations
• Consequences of knowingly violating eligibility rules
• Avoiding common pitfalls in eligibility determinations

Vendor-Delegate (Subrecipient) and Contractor Relationships

• Choosing between subawards and contracts 
• Applicable regulatory requirements
• Structuring successful relationships

Whether you’re brand new to Head Start leadership or need a refresher on recent changes and revised federal rules, you'll leave feeling confident about your program’s ability to meet and maintain compliance with its programmatic obligations.