Introduction
The Child Care and Early Education Policy and Research Analysis (CCEEPRA) project—funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—examines multiple policy and research issues. As part of CCEEPRA, OPRE has collaborated with the Office of Head Start to document the experiences of Head Start and Early Head Start grantees during the COVID-19 pandemic via a survey. The survey includes questions about possible changes to program funding, staffing, and operations; challenges that programs have faced as a result of COVID-19; and current service provision or plans for reopening programs.
The Survey of Head Start Grantees’ and Delegates’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic was sent in August 2020 to all center-based Early Head Start and Head Start grantees and delegate agencies that provide direct services.
Key Findings and Highlights
The following topics are included in the survey:
- Program funding
- Staffing changes and challenges
- Use of administrative flexibilities from the Office of Head Start and other state and local entities
- Operational challenges
- Regulatory challenges
- Challenges providing services to families
- Changes in licensing status
- Program closure
- Program reopening
- Use of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding