[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3842 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 3842

 To amend the Head Start Act to extend authorization of appropriations 
   for programs under that Act, to strengthen provisions designed to 
 provide quality assurance and improvement, to provide for orderly and 
    appropriate expansion of such programs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 1994

  Mr. Martinez (for himself, Mr. Ford of Michigan, Mr. Goodling, Ms. 
Molinari, Mr. Gephardt, Mr. Clay, Mr. Miller of California, Mr. Murphy, 
   Mr. Kildee, Mr. Williams, Mr. Owens, Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Payne of New 
 Jersey, Mrs. Unsoeld, Mrs. Mink, Mr. Scott, Mr. Engel, Mr. Gene Green 
of Texas, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Romero-Barcelo, Mr. Castle, Mr. de Lugo, Mr. 
Faleomavaega, Mr. Baesler, and Mr. Underwood) introduced the following 
    bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Head Start Act to extend authorization of appropriations 
   for programs under that Act, to strengthen provisions designed to 
 provide quality assurance and improvement, to provide for orderly and 
    appropriate expansion of such programs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES IN ACT; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Act Amendments of 
1994''.
    (b) Except where otherwise specifically provided, references in 
this Act shall be considered to be made to the Head Start Act, or to a 
section or other provision thereof.
    (c) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; references in Act.
Sec. 2. Monitoring and quality assurance.
Sec. 3. Appeals, notice, and hearing.
Sec. 4. Staff qualifications and development.
Sec. 5. Goals and priorities for training and technical assistance.
Sec. 6. Allocation of funds for program expansion.
Sec. 7. Allocation and use of funds for quality improvement.
Sec. 8. Transition coordination with schools.
Sec. 9. Research, demonstrations, evaluation, and reports.
Sec. 10. Initiative on families with infants and toddlers.
Sec. 11. Enhanced parental involvement.
Sec. 12. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 13. Minor and technical amendments.
Sec. 14. Effective date.

SEC. 2. MONITORING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--The Act is amended by inserting after section 641 
the following new section:

  ``quality standards; monitoring of head start agencies and programs

    ``Sec. 641A. (a) Quality Standards.--(1) Establishment of 
Standards.--The Secretary shall establish by regulation standards 
applicable to Head Start agencies, programs, and projects under this 
subchapter, including--
            ``(A) performance standards with respect to services 
        required to be provided, including health, education, parental 
        involvement, social and other services;
            ``(B) administrative and financial management standards;
            ``(C) standards relating to the condition and location of 
        facilities; and
            ``(D) such other standards as the Secretary finds 
        appropriate.
    ``(2) Minimum Requirements.--The regulations under this subsection 
shall indicate the minimum levels of overall accomplishment that a Head 
Start agency or program must achieve in order to meet the standards 
specified in paragraph (1).
    ``(3) Considerations in Developing Standards.--In developing the 
regulations required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) consult with experts in the fields of child 
        development, early childhood education, family services, 
        administration, and financial management, and with persons with 
        experience in the operation of Head Start programs; and
            ``(B) take into consideration--
                    ``(i) past experience with use of the standards 
                currently in effect;
                    ``(ii) changes over the period the program has been 
                in effect in the circumstances and problems typically 
                facing Head Start children and families;
                    ``(iii) developments concerning best practices with 
                respect to child development, family services, program 
                administration, and financial management; and
                    ``(iv) projected needs of an expanding Head Start 
                program;
            ``(C) not later than one year after enactment of this 
        section, review and revise as necessary the performance 
        standards in effect under this subchapter on the date of 
        enactment of this section (but any revisions in performance 
        standards shall not result in the elimination of or any 
        reduction in the scope or types of health, education, parental 
        involvement, social, or other services required to be provided 
        under such standards in effect on November 2, 1978).
    ``(b) Performance Measures.--(1) In General.--Within one year after 
enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with 
representatives of Head Start agencies and with experts in the fields 
of child development, family services, and program management, shall 
develop methods and procedures for measuring, annually and over longer 
periods, the quality and effectiveness of programs operated by Head 
Start agencies.
    ``(2) Design of Measures.--The performance measures developed under 
this subsection shall be designed--
            ``(A) to assess the various services provided by Head Start 
        programs and, to the extent the Secretary finds appropriate, 
        administrative and financial management practices;
            ``(B) to be adaptable for use in self-assessment and peer 
        review of individual Head Start agencies and programs; and
            ``(C) for other program purposes as determined by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(3) Use of Measures.--The Secretary shall use the performance 
measures developed pursuant to this subsection--
            ``(A) to identify strengths and weaknesses in the operation 
        of Head Start programs nationally and by region; and
            ``(B) to identify problem areas that may require additional 
        training and technical assistance resources.
    ``(c) Monitoring of Local Agencies and Programs.--(1) In General.--
In order to determine whether Head Start agencies meet standards 
established under this subchapter with respect to program, 
administrative, fiscal, and other requirements, the Secretary shall 
conduct the following reviews of designated Head Start agencies, and of 
the Head Start programs operated by such agencies:
            ``(A) a full review of each such agency at least once 
        during each 3-year period;
            ``(B) a review of each newly designated agency immediately 
        after the completion of the first year such agency carries out 
        a Head Start program;
            ``(C) follow-up reviews including prompt return visits to 
        agencies and programs that fail to meet minimum standards for 
        participation; and
            ``(D) other reviews as appropriate.
    ``(2) Conduct of Reviews.--The Secretary shall ensure that reviews 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1)--
            ``(A) are performed, to the maximum extent practicable, by 
        employees of the Department of Health and Human Services who 
        are knowledgeable about Head Start programs; and
            ``(B) are supervised by such an employee at the site of 
        such Head Start agency.
    ``(d) Corrective Action; Termination.--(1) If the Secretary 
determines, on the basis of a review pursuant to subsection (c), that a 
Head Start agency designated pursuant to section 641 fails to meet the 
minimum standards for participation in programs under this subchapter, 
the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) inform the agency of the deficiencies that must be 
        corrected;
            ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, at the 
        Secretary's discretion (taking into consideration the 
        seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required 
        to correct it), require the agency--
                    ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, or
                    ``(ii) to comply with the requirements of paragraph 
                (2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and
            ``(C) initiate proceedings to terminate the designation of 
        the agency unless the agency corrects the deficiency as 
        required by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (B).
    ``(2) Quality Improvement Plan.--(A) Agency Responsibilities.--In 
order to retain its designation under this subchapter, a Head Start 
agency that is the subject of a determination described in paragraph 
(1) shall--
            ``(i) develop in a timely manner, obtain the Secretary's 
        approval of, and implement a quality improvement plan that 
        specifies--
                    ``(I) the deficiencies to be corrected;
                    ``(II) the actions to be taken to correct such 
                deficiencies; and
                    ``(III) the timetable for accomplishment of the 
                corrective actions identified; and
            ``(ii) eliminate each deficiency identified, not later than 
        the date for elimination of such deficiency specified in such 
        plan (which shall not be later than one year after the date the 
        agency received notice of the determination and of the specific 
        deficiencies to be corrected).
    ``(B) Secretarial Responsibility.--Not later than thirty days after 
receiving from a Head Start agency a proposed quality improvement plan 
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall either approve such 
proposed plan or specify the reasons why the proposed plan cannot be 
approved.
    ``(3) Training and Technical Assistance.--To the extent the 
Secretary finds feasible and appropriate given available funding and 
other statutory responsibilities, the Secretary shall provide training 
and technical assistance to Head Start agencies with respect to the 
development or implementation of quality improvement plans.
    ``(e) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--The Secretary shall 
publish annually, following the end of each fiscal year, a summary 
report on the findings of reviews conducted pursuant to subsection (c) 
and on the outcomes of quality improvement plans under subsection 
(d).''.
    ``(b) Expenditures for Monitoring and Related Activities.--Section 
640(a)(2)(D) is amended by inserting ``(including payments for all 
costs (other than compensation of Federal employees) of reviews of Head 
Start agencies and programs, and of activities related to the 
development and implementation of quality improvement plans, pursuant 
to section 641A)''.
    ``(c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 641(c) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) 
        through (4).
            (2) Section 641(d) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking all that 
                precedes ``then the Secretary'' and inserting ``If 
                there is in a community no entity entitled to the 
                priority specified in subsection (c),'';
                    (B) by striking the second sentence; and
                    (C) in the third sentence, by striking ``and 
                subject to the preceding sentence''.
            (3) Section 642(b)(4) is amended by striking ``in 
        accordance with the performance standards in effect upon 
        section 651(b)'' and inserting ``either through such program''.
            (4) Section 651(b) is repealed.
            (5) Section 651(g)(10) is amended by striking ``evaluations 
        conducted under section 641(c)(2)'' and inserting ``monitoring 
        conducted under section 641A(c)''.

SEC. 3. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING.

    (a) Elimination of Provision Freezing Regulations.--Section 646 is 
amended by striking subsection (b).
    (b) Termination of Designation Not Stayed Pending Appeal.--Section 
646 is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(b) Adverse Action Not Stayed Pending Appeal.--In any case where 
a termination, reduction, or suspension of financial assistance under 
this subchapter is upheld in an administrative hearing under this 
section, such termination, reduction, or suspension shall not be stayed 
pending any judicial appeal of such administrative decision.''.

SEC. 4. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Requirements Concerning Staff Qualifications and Development.--
(1) Classroom Teachers.--
            (A) Section 648(b) is relocated and redesignated as 
        subsection (a) of a new section 648A, captioned as follows:

               ``staff qualifications and developments''.

            (B) Section 648A(a), as relocated and redesignated, is 
        further amended--
                    (i) by striking ``(a)(1)'' and inserting ``(a) 
                Classroom Teachers.--(1)  Degree Requirements.--'';
                    (ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``1994'' and 
                inserting ``1996'';
                    (iii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(2)'' and 
                inserting ``(2) Waiver.--''; and
                    (iv) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``a child 
                development associate credential (CDA)'' and inserting 
                ``any credential specified in paragraph (1)''.
    (2) Mentor Teachers; Family Service Workers; Fellowships.--Section 
648A is further amended by adding after subsection (a) the following 
new subsections:
    ``(b) Mentor Teachers.--(1) Definition: Function.--For purposes of 
this subsection, a `mentor teacher' is an individual responsible for 
observing and assessing classroom activities and providing on-the-job 
guidance and training to Head Start program staff and volunteers, in 
order to improve the qualifications and training of classroom staff, to 
maintain high quality education services, and to promote career 
development.
    ``(2) Requirement.--In order to assist Head Start agencies to 
establish positions for mentor teachers, the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) provide technical assistance and training to enable 
        Head Start agencies to establish such positions;
            ``(B) give priority consideration, in providing assistance 
        pursuant to subparagraph (A), to Head Start programs which have 
        substantial numbers of new classroom staff or which are 
        experiencing difficulty in meeting applicable education 
        standards; and
            ``(C) encourage programs to give priority consideration for 
        such positions to Head Start teachers at the appropriate level 
        in the career ladders of such programs.
    ``(c) Family Service Workers.--In order to improve the quality and 
effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services to families 
of Head Start children (including needs assessment, development of 
service plans, family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery), 
the Secretary, in collaboration with concerned public and private 
agencies and organizations currently examining the issues of standards 
and training for family service workers, shall--
            ``(1) review and, as necessary, revise or develop new 
        qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such 
        services;
            ``(2) promote the development of model curricula (on 
        subjects including parenting training and family literacy) 
        designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies 
        by individuals working or planning to work in the field of 
        early childhood and family services; and
            ``(3) promote the establishment of a credential indicating 
        attainment of those competencies that is accepted nationwide.
    ``(d) Head Start Fellowships.--(1) Authority.--The Secretary is 
authorized to establish a program of Head Start Fellowships, in 
accordance with this subsection, for staff in local Head Start programs 
and other individuals working in the field of child development and 
family services.
    ``(2) Purpose.--The fellowship program under this subsection shall 
be designed to enhance the ability of participating fellows to make 
significant contributions to programs authorized under this subchapter, 
by providing them opportunities to expand their knowledge and 
experience through exposure to activities, issues, resources, and new 
approaches in the field of child development and family services.
    ``(3) Assignments of Fellows.--(A) Placement Sites.--Fellowship 
positions under the program under this subsection may be located 
(subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C))--
            ``(i) in agencies of the Department of Health and Human 
        Services administering programs authorized under this 
        subchapter (and in national and regional offices of such 
        agencies);
            ``(ii) in local Head Start agencies and programs;
            ``(iii) in institutions of higher education;
            ``(iv) in public and private entities and organizations 
        concerned with services to children and families; and
            ``(v) in other appropriate settings.
    ``(B) Limitation for Fellows Other Than Head Start Employees.--A 
Head Start Fellow who is not an employee of a local Head Start agency 
or program may be placed only in a fellowship position specified in 
clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
    ``(C) No Placement in Lobbying Organizations.--Head Start 
Fellowship positions may not be located in any agency whose primary 
purpose, or one of whose major purposes, is to influence Federal, 
State, or local legislation.
    ``(4) Selection of Fellows.--Fellowships under this subsection 
shall be awarded, on a competitive basis, to individuals (other than 
Federal employees) selected from among applicants who are currently 
working in local Head Start programs or otherwise working in the field 
of child development and children and family services.
    ``(5) Duration.--Fellowships under this subsection shall be for 
terms of one year, and shall be renewable for a term of one additional 
year.
    ``(6) Authorized Expenditures.--From amounts appropriated under 
this subchapter and allotted under section 640(a)(2)(D), the Secretary 
is authorized to make expenditures of not to exceed $1,000,000 for any 
fiscal year, for stipends and other reasonable expenses of the program 
under this subsection.
    ``(7) Status of Fellows.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
paragraph, Head Start Fellows shall not be deemed employees or 
otherwise in the service or employment of the United States Government. 
Head Start Fellows shall be considered Federal employees for purposes 
of compensation for injuries under chapter 81 of title 5 of the United 
States Code. Head Start Fellows assigned to positions specified in 
paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be considered Executive Branch employees for 
the purposes of chapter 11 of title 18 of the United States Code, and 
of any administrative standards of conduct applicable to the employees 
of the agency to which they are assigned.
    ``(8) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations 
implementing the provisions of this subsection.''.
    (b) Model Staffing Patterns.--Section 648 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Model Staffing Patterns.--Within one year after enactment of 
this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate public 
and private agencies and organizations and with individuals with 
expertise in the field of child and family services, shall develop 
model staffing plans to provide guidance to local Head Start agencies 
and programs on the numbers, types, responsibilities, and 
qualifications of staff required to operate a Head Start program.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 648 is amended in the caption, 
to read: ``Technical assistance and training''.

SEC. 5. GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    Section 648, as amended by section 4, is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``Head Start 
        programs, including'' and inserting instead ``Head Start 
        programs, in accordance with the process, goals, and priorities 
        set forth in subsections (b) and (c). The Secretary shall 
        provide, either directly or through grants or other 
        arrangements,'';
            (2) by redesignating and relocating as subsection (f) the 
        final sentence of subsection (a), as amended by paragraph (1);
            (3) by striking subsection (c); and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
        subsections:
    ``(b) Goals.--The process for determining the technical assistance 
and training activities to be carried out under this section shall--
            ``(1) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies 
        and programs relating to improving program quality and to 
        program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent feasible.
            ``(2) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to 
        local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining input 
        from the Head Start community; and
    ``(c) Specific Purposes.--In allocating resources for technical 
assistance and training under this section, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) give priority consideration to activities to correct 
        program and management deficiencies identified through 
        monitoring pursuant to section 641A (including the provision of 
        assistance to local programs in the development of quality 
        improvement plans);
            ``(2) address the training and career development needs of 
        both classroom and non-classroom staff, including home visitors 
        and other staff working directly with families, including 
        training relating to increasing parent involvement and services 
        designed to increase family literacy and improve parenting 
        skills;
            ``(3) assist Head Start agencies and programs to conduct 
        and participate in community-wide strategic planning and needs 
        assessment;
            ``(4) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the 
        development of sound management practices, including financial 
        management procedures; and
            ``(5) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate 
        facilities for Head Start programs.''.

SEC. 6. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PROGRAM EXPANSION.

    ``(a) Allocation of Funds Within States.--Section 640(g) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(g)'' and inserting ``(g)(1) Cost-of-
        Living Adjustments to Grantees.--'''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(2) Allocation of Expansion Funds Within States.--In allocating 
funds within a State, for the purposes of expanding Head Start 
programs, from amounts allotted to a State pursuant to paragraph (4), 
the Secretary shall take into consideration the following factors:
            ``(A) the quality of the applicant's current programs 
        (including Head Start and other child care or child development 
        programs and, in the case of current Head Start programs, the 
        extent to which such programs meet or exceed performance 
        standards and other requirements under this subchapter);
            ``(B) the applicant's capacity to expand services 
        (including, in the case of current Head Start programs, whether 
        the applicant accomplished any prior expansions in an effective 
        and timely manner);
            ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken 
        community-wide strategic planning and needs assessments 
        involving other community organizations serving children and 
        families;
            ``(D) the numbers of eligible children in each community 
        who are not participating in Head Start; and
            ``(E) the concentration of low-income families in each 
        community.
    ``(3) Allocation of Expansion Funds to Indian and Migrant Programs 
and to Territories.--In determining the amount of funds reserved 
pursuant to section 640(a)(2) (A) or (B) to be used for expanding Head 
Start programs under this subchapter, the Secretary shall take into 
consideration, to the extent appropriate, the factors specified in 
paragraph (2).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 641(f) is repealed.

SEC. 7. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUNDS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

    (A) Allocation; Use of Funds.--Section 640(a)(3) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D);
            (2) in the matter preceding clause (i) of subparagraph (A), 
        to read as follows:
    ``(3) Quality Improvement.--(A) Reservation.--(i) The Secretary 
shall reserve, for activities specified in subparagraph (C) directed at 
the goals specified in subparagraph (B), a share of the amount (if any) 
by which such appropriations exceed the adjusted prior year 
appropriation (as defined in clause (ii)) equal to--
            ``(I) 25 percent of such amount, plus
            ``(II) any additional amount the Secretary may find 
        necessary to address a demonstrated need for additional quality 
        improvement activities.
    ``(ii) Adjusted Prior Year Appropriation Defined.--The term 
`adjusted prior year appropriation' means, with respect to a fiscal 
year, the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a) for the 
preceding fiscal year adjusted to reflect the percentage change in the 
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (issued by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics) during such preceding fiscal year.
    ``(B) Goals.--Quality improvement funds reserved under this 
paragraph shall be used to accomplish any or all of the following 
goals:
            ``(i) Ensuring that Head Start programs meet or exceed 
        performance standards pursuant to section 641A.
            ``(ii) Ensuring that programs have adequate qualified 
        staff, and that such staff are furnished adequate training.
            ``(iii) Ensuring that salary levels are adequate to attract 
        and retain qualified staff.
            ``(iv) Using salary increases to improve staff 
        qualifications and to assist with the implementation of career 
        development programs.
            ``(v) Improving community-wide strategic planning and needs 
        assessments.
            ``(vi) Ensuring that the physical environments of Head 
        Start programs are conducive to providing effective program 
        services to children and families.
            ``(vii) Making such other improvements in program quality 
        as the Secretary may designate.
    ``(C) Activities.--Quality improvement funds reserved under this 
paragraph shall be used to carry out any or all of the following 
activities:'';
            (3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by adding at the 
        end the following new clause:
            ``(vii) Such other activities as the Secretary may 
        designate.''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
                        by striking ``for the first, second, and third 
                        fiscal years for which funds are so reserved''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subclause (II), by inserting 
                        ``territories, and programs serving Indian and 
                        migrant children,'' after ``States,'';
                    (B) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii);
                    (C) in clause (iv)--
                            (i) by striking all that precedes the first 
                        comma and inserting ``Funds'';
                            (ii) by striking ``clause (ii)'' the first 
                        place it appears and inserting ``clause (i)'';
                            (iii) by inserting before the period at the 
                        end of the first sentence, ``, for expenditure 
                        for activities specified in subparagraph (C)''; 
                        and
                            (iv) by striking the second sentence; and
                    (D) by striking clause (v), and redesignating 
                clauses (iv) and (vi) as clauses (ii) and (iii), 
                respectively.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 637 
are repealed.

SEC. 8. TRANSITION COORDINATION WITH SCHOOLS.

    (a) Coordination Requirements.--Section 642 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``schools that will 
        subsequently serve children in Head Start programs,''; and
            (2) by adding after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(d) Facilitating Transition to School.--(1) General 
Requirement.--Each Head Start agency shall undertake the actions 
specified in this subsection, to the extent feasible and appropriate in 
the circumstances (including the extent to which such agency is able to 
secure the cooperation of parents and schools) to enable children to 
maintain the developmental gains achieved in Head Start and to build 
upon such gains in further schooling.
    ``(2) Coordination With Schools.--The Head Start agency shall take 
steps to coordinate with the local educational agency and with schools 
in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by 
such agency will enroll following such program, including the 
following:
            ``(A) developing and implementing a systematic procedure 
        for transferring Head Start records on each participating child 
        to the school in which such child will enroll;
            ``(B) establishing channels of communication between Head 
        Start staff and their counterparts in the receiving schools 
        (including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to 
        facilitate coordination of programs; and
            ``(C) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten 
        or primary school teachers, and Head Start teachers to discuss 
        the developmental and other needs of individual children; and
            ``(D) organizing and participating in joint transition-
        related training of school staff and Head Start staff.
    ``(3) Promotion of Parental Involvement.--In order to promote the 
continued involvement of Head Start parents in their children's 
education upon transition to school, the Head Start agency shall--
            ``(A) provide training to Head Start parents--
                    ``(i) to inform them about their rights and 
                responsibilities concerning their children's education; 
                and
                    ``(ii) to enable them to understand and work with 
                schools in order to communicate with teachers and other 
                school personnel, to support their children's school 
                work, and to participate as appropriate in decisions 
                relating to their children's education; and
            ``(B) take other actions, as appropriate and feasible, to 
        support the active involvement of parents with schools, school 
        personnel, and school-related organizations.
    ``(4) Application of Demonstration Results.--The Secretaries of 
Health and Human Services and Education shall assess the results of the 
demonstration projects funded under the Head Start Transition Project 
Act and shall work together to provide technical assistance to enable 
communities to implement promising practices emerging from these 
demonstrations for improving the Head Start Program and programs of the 
schools.''.
    (b) Extension of Set-Aside for Head Start Transition Project Act.--
(1) In General.--Section 639(c) is amended--
            (A) by striking paragraph (1);
            (B) by striking ``(2)''; and
            (C) by striking ``1992, 1993, and 1994'' and inserting 
        ``1992 through 1996''.
    (2) Reference.--Section 640(a)(5) is amended by striking ``The'' 
and inserting ``Allotments Among States.--Subject to section 639(c), 
the''.

SEC. 9. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, EVALUATION, AND REPORTS.

    (a) Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation.--Section 649, 
including the caption thereof, is amended to read as follows:

               ``research, demonstrations, and evaluation

    ``Sec. 649. (a) In General.--(1) Requirement; General Purposes.--
The Secretary shall carry out a continuing program of research, 
demonstrations, and evaluation, in order to--
            ``(A) foster continuous improvement in the quality of the 
        Head Start Program under this subchapter and in its 
        effectiveness in enabling participating children and their 
        families to succeed in school and in everyday life; and
            ``(B) use the Head Start Program as a national laboratory 
        for developing, testing, and disseminating new ideas and 
        approaches for addressing the needs of low-income pre-school 
        children and their families and communities, and otherwise to 
        further the purposes of this subchapter.
    ``(2) Plan.--The Secretary shall develop, and periodically update, 
a plan governing the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities 
under this section.
    ``(b) Conduct of Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation.--The 
Secretary, in order to conduct research, demonstrations, and 
evaluations under this section--
            ``(1) may carry out such activities directly, or through 
        grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, public 
        and private entities;
            ``(2) shall, to the extent appropriate, undertake such 
        activities in collaboration with other Federal and non-Federal 
        agencies conducting similar activities;
            ``(3) shall ensure that evaluation of activities in a 
        specific program or project are conducted by persons not 
        directly involved in the operation of such program or project;
            ``(4) may require Head Start agencies to provide for 
        independent evaluations; and
            ``(5) may approve, in appropriate cases, community-based 
        cooperative research and evaluation efforts to enable local 
        Head Start programs to collaborate with qualified researchers 
        not directly involved in program administration or operation.
    ``(c) Consultation and Collaboration.--In carrying out the 
activities under this section, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) consult with individuals--
                    ``(A) from relevant academic disciplines;
                    ``(B) involved in the operation of Head Start and 
                other child and family service programs; and
                    ``(C) from other Federal agencies and organizations 
                involved with children and families,
        ensuring that such individuals reflect the multi-cultural 
        nature of the Head Start population and the multi-disciplinary 
        nature of the Head Start Program;
            ``(2) whenever feasible and appropriate, obtain the views 
        of persons participating in and served by programs and projects 
        assisted under this subchapter with respect to activities under 
        this section; and
            ``(3) establish, to the extent appropriate, working 
        relationships with the faculties of colleges or universities 
        located in the area in which any evaluation under this section 
        is being conducted, unless there is no such college or 
        university willing and able to participate in such evaluation.
    ``(d) Specific Objectives.--The research, demonstration, and 
evaluation programs under this part shall include components designed 
to--
            ``(1) permit ongoing assessment of the quality and 
        effectiveness of the program under this subchapter;
            ``(2) contribute to developing knowledge concerning factors 
        associated with the quality and effectiveness of Head Start 
        programs and in identifying ways in which services provided 
        under this subchapter may be improved;
            ``(3) assist in developing knowledge concerning the factors 
        which promote or inhibit healthy development and effective 
        functioning of children and their families both during and 
        following the Head Start experience;
            ``(4) permit comparisons of children and families 
        participating in Head Start programs with children and families 
        receiving other child care, early childhood education, and 
        child development services and with other appropriate control 
        groups;
            ``(5) contribute to understanding the characteristics and 
        needs of population groups eligible for services provided under 
        this subchapter and the impact of such services on the 
        individuals served and the communities in which such services 
        are provided;
            ``(6) provide for disseminating and promoting the use of 
        the findings from such research, demonstration, and evaluation 
        activities; and
            ``(7) promote exploration of areas in which knowledge is 
        insufficient, and which will otherwise contribute to fulfilling 
        the purposes of this subchapter.
    ``(e) Longitudinal Studies.--In developing priorities for research, 
demonstration, and evaluation activities under this section, the 
Secretary shall give special consideration to longitudinal studies 
which--
            ``(1) examine the developmental progress of children and 
        their families both during and following the Head Start Program 
        experience, including the examination of factors which 
        contribute to or detract from such progress; and
            ``(2) examine factors related to improving the quality of 
        the Head Start Program experience and the preparation it 
        provides for children and their families to function 
        effectively in schools and other settings in the years 
        following Head Start; and
            ``(3) as appropriate, permit comparison of children and 
        families participating in Head Start programs with children and 
        families receiving other child care, early childhood education, 
        and child development services, and with other appropriate 
        control groups.
    ``(f) Ownership of Results.--The Secretary shall take necessary 
steps to ensure that all studies, reports, proposals, and data produced 
or developed with Federal funds under this subchapter shall become the 
property of the United States.''.
    (b) Reports.--Section 651 is amended--
            (1) in the caption, to read ``reports'';
            (2) by striking subsections (a) through (f);
            (3) by striking ``(g)'';
            (4)(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (11);
            (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding after paragraph (12) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(13) a summary of the research, demonstration, and 
        evaluation activities conducted under section 649, including--
                    ``(A) a status report on ongoing activities; and
                    ``(B) results, conclusions, and recommendations 
                based on completed activities not previously reported 
                on.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Sections 640A, 650, and 651A are repealed.
            (2) Section 651, as amended by subsection (b), is 
        redesignated as section 650.

SEC. 10. INITIATIVE ON FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--The Act is amended by adding after 
section 645 the following new section:

           ``programs for families with infants and toddlers

    ``Sec. 645A. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants, in 
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, for--
            ``(1) programs providing family-centered services for low-
        income families with very young children designed to promote 
        the development of their children, to fulfill their roles as 
        parents, and to move toward self-sufficiency; and
            ``(2) evaluation of, and provision of training and 
        technical assistance to, projects under the Comprehensive Child 
        Development Centers Act of 1988.
    ``(b) Families Eligible to Participate.--Persons who may be served 
by projects described in subsection (a)(1) include pregnant women, and 
families with children under age three (or under age five, in the case 
of children served by a grantee specified in subsection (e)(2)), who 
meet the criteria specified in section 645(a)(1).
    ``(c) Scope and Design of Programs.--Programs receiving assistance 
under this section shall--
            ``(1) provide, either directly or through referral, early, 
        continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and 
        family support services which will enhance the physical, 
        social, emotional, and intellectual development of 
        participating children;
            ``(2) ensure that the level of services provided to 
        families responds to their needs and circumstances;
            ``(3) promote positive parent-child interactions;
            ``(4) provide services to parents to support their role as 
        parents and to help them move toward self-sufficiency;
            ``(5) coordinate services with existing programs in the 
        State and community to ensure a comprehensive array of 
        services;
            ``(6) coordinate with local Head Start programs in order to 
        ensure continuity of services for children and families;
            ``(7) (in the case of a program operated by a Head Start 
        agency that also provides Head Start services through the age 
        of mandatory school attendance) ensure that participating 
        children and families receive such services through such age; 
        and
            ``(8) meet such other requirements concerning program 
        design and operation as the Secretary may establish.
    ``(d) Eligible Service Providers.--Entities that may apply to 
operate services projects under this section include--
            ``(1) entities operating Head Start programs under this 
        subchapter;
            ``(2) entities that, on the date of enactment of this 
        provision, were operating--
                    ``(A) Parent-Child Centers receiving financial 
                assistance under section 640(a)(4), or
                    ``(B) Comprehensive Child Development Projects 
                receiving financial assistance under the Comprehensive 
                Child Development Centers Act of 1988; and
            ``(3) other public and non-profit private entities capable 
        of providing child and family services
that meet the standards for participation in programs under this 
subchapter and such other appropriate requirements relating to the 
program under this section as the Secretary may establish.
    ``(e) Time-Limited Priority for Certain Entities.--(1) In 
General.--From amounts allotted pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4) of 
section 640(a), the Secretary shall provide financial assistance in 
accordance with paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection.
    ``(2) Parent-Child Centers.--The Secretary shall make financial 
assistance available under this section for each of fiscal years 1995, 
1996, and 1997 to any entity that--
            ``(A) complies with the standards and requirements 
        established by the Secretary under subsection (d); and
            ``(B) received funding as a Parent-Child Center pursuant to 
        section 640(a)(4) for fiscal year 1994.
    ``(3) Comprehensive Child Development Centers (CCDCs).--In the case 
of an entity that--
            ``(A) complies with the standards and requirements 
        established by the Secretary under subsection (d); and
            ``(B) received a grant for fiscal year 1994 to operate a 
        project under the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act 
        of 1988, the Secretary--
shall make financial assistance available under this section for the 
duration of the demonstration project period specified in the grant 
award to such entity under such Act, and shall permit such entity, in 
the program assisted under this section, to serve children from birth 
through age 5.
    ``(4) Evaluations, Training, Technical Assistance Relating to 
CCDCs.--The Secretary shall make funds available under this section as 
necessary to provide for the evaluation of, and furnishing of training 
and technical assistance to, child development projects (specified in 
paragraph (3)) under the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 
1988.
    ``(f) Selection of Other Grantees.--From allotments pursuant to 
paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 640(a) (in amounts equal to the 
balance remaining of the amount specified in section 640(a)(6) after 
making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e)), 
the Secretary shall award grants under this paragraph on a competitive 
basis to applicants meeting the criteria specified in subsection (d) 
(giving priority to entities with a record of providing early, 
continuous, and comprehensive childhood development and family 
services).
    ``(g) Secretarial Responsibilities.--(1) Guidelines.--The Secretary 
shall develop and publish guidelines concerning the content and 
operation of programs under this section--
            ``(A) in consultation with experts in early childhood 
        development and family services; and
            ``(B) taking into consideration the knowledge and 
        experience gained from other early childhood programs, 
        including programs under the Comprehensive Child Development 
        Centers Act of 1988.
    ``(2) Monitoring, Evaluation, Training, and Technical Assistance.--
In order to ensure the successful operation of service programs under 
this section, the Secretary shall monitor the operation of such 
programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and 
technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such 
programs.''.
    (b) Funds Set-Aside.--Section 640(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, and subject to 
        paragraph (6)'' before the period;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``paragraph (5)'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (4)'';
            (3) by striking paragraph (4), and redesignating paragraphs 
        (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
            (4) by adding after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the 
        following new paragraph:
    ``(6) Funding for Programs for Families With Infants and 
Toddlers.--From amounts allotted pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4), 
the Secretary shall use, for grants for programs for families with 
infants and toddlers under section 645A, a portion of the combined 
total of such amounts equal to 3 percent for fiscal year 1995, 4 
percent for each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997, and 5 percent for 
fiscal year 1998, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 
639(a).''.
    (c) Consolidation.--In recognition that the Comprehensive Child 
Development Centers Act has demonstrated positive results, and that its 
purposes and functions have been consolidated into section 645A of the 
Head Start Act, the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 1988 
is repealed.

SEC. 11. ENHANCED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

    ``(a) Considerations in Designating New Head Start Agencies.--
Section 641(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
            ``(4) the plan of such applicant--
                    ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of 
                participating children in activities designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the education of 
                their children;
                    ``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity to 
                participate in the development, conduct, and overall 
                performance of the program at the local level;
                    ``(C) to offer (directly or through referral to 
                local entities, such as Even Start programs) to such 
                parents--
                            ``(i) family literacy services; and
                            ``(ii) parenting skills training;
                    ``(D) at the option of such applicant, to offer 
                (directly or through referral to local entities) to 
                such parents--
                            ``(i) parental social self-sufficiency 
                        training;
                            ``(ii) substance abuse counseling; or
                            ``(iii) any other activity designed to help 
                        such parents become full partners in the 
                        education of their children; and
                    ``(E) to provide, with respect to each 
                participating family, a family needs assessment that 
                includes consultation with such parents about the 
                benefits of parent involvement and about the activities 
                described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) in which such 
                parents may choose to become involved (taking into 
                consideration their specific family needs, work 
                schedules, and other responsibilities;'';
            (2) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (3) by striking paragraph (8); and
            (4) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8).
    (b) Functions of Head Start Agencies.--Section 642(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
            ``(4) seek the involvement of parents of participating 
        children in activities designed to help such parents become 
        full partners in the education of their children, and to afford 
        such parents the opportunity to participate in the development, 
        conduct, and overall performance of the program at the local 
        level;'';
            (2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (3) by striking paragraph (6);
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (7) as paragraphs 
        (8) and (9), respectively; and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(5) offer (directly or through referral to local 
        entities, such as Even Start programs) to parents of 
        participating children family literacy services and parenting 
        skills training;
            ``(6) at the option of such agency, offer (directly or 
        through referral to local entities) to such parents parental 
        social self-sufficiency training, substance abuse counseling, 
        or any other activity designed to help such parents become full 
        partners in the education of their children;
            ``(7) provide, with respect to each participating family, a 
        family needs assessment that includes consultation with such 
        parents about the benefits of parent involvement and about the 
        activities described in paragraphs (4) through (6) in which 
        such parents may choose to be involved (taking into 
        consideration their specific family needs, work schedules, and 
        other responsibilities);''.
    (c) Family Literacy Services.--Section 637 is amended by adding 
after paragraph (11) the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) The term `family literacy services' includes 
        activities such as the following: interactive literacy 
        activities between parents and their children, training for 
        parents on how to be their children's primary teacher and to be 
        full partners in the education of their children, parent 
        literacy training, and early childhood education.''.

SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 639, as amended by section 8(b), is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking all that follows 
        ``651A)'' and inserting ``such sums as necessary for fiscal 
        year 1995 and each of the three succeeding fiscal years.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and redesignating subsection 
        (c) as subsection (b).

SEC. 13. MINOR AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Definition of Poverty Line.--(1) Section 637(9) is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(9) The term `poverty line' means the official poverty 
        line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget).''.
    (2) Section 652 is repealed.
    (b) Updating of Hold-Harmless for Indian and Migrant Programs.--
Section 640(a)(2)(A) is amended by striking ``1990'' and inserting 
``1994''.
    (c) Use of Head Start Funds for Full-Day and Full-Year Services.--
Section 640(h) is amended by striking ``Each Head Start program may'' 
and inserting ``Financial assistance provided under this subchapter may 
be used by each Head Start program to''.
    (d) Designation of Head Start Agencies.--Section 641(c), as amended 
by section 2 of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) in the first sentence--
                    (A) by inserting ``(subject to paragraph (2))'' 
                before ``, the Secretary shall give priority'';
                    (B) by striking ``unless'' and all that follows 
                through the end of subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
                following ``unless the Secretary makes a finding that 
                the agency involved fails to meet program, fiscal, and 
                other requirements established by the Secretary.'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as paragraph (2) and 
        relocating the left margin two ems to the left;
            (3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated--
                    (A) by striking ``except that, if'' and inserting 
                ``If''; and
                    (B) by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (1)'';
            (4) by striking ``Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this paragraph'' and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
        subsection''.
    (e) Federal Register Publication Requirement.--Section 644(d) is 
amended by striking ``guidelines, instructions,''.
    (f) Duration of Services to Eligible Children.--Section 645(c) is 
amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``may provide'' and 
        all that follows and inserting ``shall be permitted to provide 
        more than one year of Head Start services to eligible children 
        in the State.''; and
            (2) by striking the second sentence.

SEC. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The provisions of this Act shall be effective with respect to 
fiscal year 1995 and succeeding fiscal years.

                                 <all>

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