Local Head Start Programs Struggle to Meet Compliance Deadline

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Head Start Association is reporting that local agencies are having a difficult time meeting the Jan. 18, 2006, deadline to comply with 45 CFR 1310.12. The regulations require children, except those served under the home-based option for Head Start or Early Head Start, to be transported in school buses or alternate vehicles equipped with appropriate child restraint systems and reverse beepers and that have a bus monitor on board.

As of press time, the Administration for Children and Families confirmed that the Department of Health and Human Services was considering a 150-day extension to mid-June 2006 with possible additional extensions. A final decision was expected by Jan. 6.

"I want to say our association fully supports safe transportation for all children and the national standards to make the happen," said Sarah Greene, president and CEO of the National Head Start Association. "However, we fully expected HHS to have in place additional funding, training and resources to help programs meet the new transportation reg. That has not occurred."

The compliance deadline comes at a time of tight financial resources for Head Start programs. With funds dwindling during the past three years - local agencies saw less than a 1 percent increase for 2005 - programs can't keep up with rising costs, Greene said.

As a result, programs unable to find funding to comply with the regulations may reduce or eliminate transportation services for children, which could translate to a drop in enrollment. Additionally, Greene said, some local Head Start agencies that outsource transportation services have had to cut field trips because the contract companies say they don't have the money to meet the regulations.

"Sadly, this is one of the greatest areas of need for families of low income. The fact that they can't have transportation will probably result in some not being served," she said. "It's a matter of not having the physical dollars."