[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   EDUCATION BEGINS WITH FAMILIES ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. JOLENE UNSOELD

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mrs. UNSOELD. Mr. Speaker, the Head Start reauthorization proposal, 
HR 3842, includes a new initiative focusing on the provision of 
services to ``families with very young children'' (0-3 years). The 
Unsoeld bill make specific a broader range of services to be included:
  Requires the secretary of HHS to establish program performance 
standards for Head Start agencies that provide services to these 
families. Currently, the Head Start-funded demonstration projects that 
serve families with very young children operate with no specific 
guidelines, unlike the traditional Head Start program. Program 
performance standards deal with all aspects of program operation, 
including health records, lesson plans, basic safety concerns, and 
plans for parental involvement.
  Requires that resources allocated for Head Start training and 
technical assistance activities include assisting agencies in better 
serving the needs of these families. The bill requires that those 
programs serving these families receive necessary training and 
technical assistance in order to operate a high-quality program for 
these families. There are currently no training and technical 
assistance activities for Head Start staff that focuses specifically on 
families with very young children.
  Ensures that quality improvement funds given out under this bill are 
used to ensure that the physical environments of programs are conducive 
to providing services to these families. Given the unique physical 
environment needs of infants and toddlers, the bill requires programs 
serving these families to use their quality improvement funds to make 
necessary changes to the physical settings.
  Requires that research, demonstration, and evaluation programs 
include research on the provision of services families with young 
children. This will most likely be in the form of a discretionary 
research grants program administered by the Administration on Children, 
Youth and Families.
  Requires that programs receiving funds to provide services to infant 
and toddlers:
  (a) Coordinate services and transitions between the 0-3 program and 
preschool programs, as well as other agencies such as local education 
agencies.
  (b) Where feasible, provide continuity of caregivers with the ongoing 
development of the child. Children who have the same primary caretaker 
over time have a much greater chance of positive developmental 
outcomes.
  In the designation of new Head Start agencies, plans will include 
information on how programs will offer the following as part of their 
parental activities:
  (a) Training for parents in positive discipline techniques. This 
includes teaching discipline techniques that are nonpunitive, positive, 
consistent, and appropriate to the age of the child.
  (b) Training for parents in basic child development. This is key to 
determining what can be expected of a child as well as what discipline 
techniques are age appropriate.
  (c) Assistance to parents in developing communication skills. Parents 
need to learn effective parent-child communication techniques--this is 
related to reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect.
  (d) Opportunities for parents to share experiences with other 
parents. This could help provide social support for families as well as 
an opportunity to exchange childrearing tips and problems.
  Allows existing Head Start programs to include the four parent 
involvement activities listed above.

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