About the Collaboration

Collaboration offices, funded by a grant from the Administration for Child and Families, create a visible presence for Head Start at the state level and assist in the development of multi-agency and public-private partnerships among Head Start and other interested stakeholders.

Effective July 1, 2021, the California Head Start State Collaboration Office (CHSSCO), along with many childcare programs, was transferred from the California Department of Education (CDE) Early Education Division (EED) to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). [Early Childhood Development Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 98, Chapter 24, Statutes of 2020)] The CHSSCO Director continues to work collaboratively with CDE regarding programs and activities that may affect Head Start programs.

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CHSSCO works closely with:

• Administration of Child and Families Region IX Office of Head Start

• CDSS – Child Care and Development Division

• CDE – Early Education Division and other state departments and other organizations and agencies in the childcare and development community

• Head Start California

• Region 9 Head Start Association

• California Head Start Recipients

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Current priorities for CHSSCO, as required by the grant from the Office of Head Start

• Partner with State childcare systems emphasizing the EHS-CC Partnership Initiatives.

• Work with State efforts to collect data regarding early childhood programs and child outcomes.

• Support the expansion and access of high-quality workforce and career development opportunities for staff.

• Collaboration with State Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS).

• Work with State school systems to ensure continuity between Head Start and Kindergarten Entrance Assessment (KEA).

• Regional Priorities.

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