Head Start: An Effective Program but the Fund Distribution Formula Needs Revision and Management Controls Need Improvement
HRD-81-83
Published: Jul 23, 1981. Publicly Released: Jul 23, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the management and administration of the Head Start program because Congress has shown considerable interest in early childhood and family development. The objective of the review was to determine whether this program, which has progressed over the years from a demonstration project to an ongoing service program, is being effectively managed and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should consider modifying the funding distribution formula to assure that sufficient operating cost increases are provided to all States so that grantees can maintain their enrollment and service levels before any funds are provided for expansion of enrollments. In addition, Congress should consider placing a moratorium on further expansion of Head Start, until sufficient funding is available to expand enrollment and to provide adequate cost-of-living increases to all States. |
Closed
|
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) to gather and analyze data on the average cost per child and average cost per child contact hour in order to assist ACYF regional offices to make the most equitable distribution of Federal funds to grantees within their regions. In addition, the Secretary should (1) direct the Commissioner of ACYF to initiate an effort to gather information from grantees on reductions in Head Start services to children and their families to ascertain the extent of service reductions nationwide; and (2) inform the appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of the extent of service reductions in Head Start program. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should (1) direct the Commissioner of ACYF to develop and implement an overall planning system for Head Start covering all program components and major functions; and (2) assure that sufficient resources are available to operate the system. In addition, the Secretary should require that Head Start forward planning cover a period not less than the period of program reauthorization approved by Congress. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families to develop and implement a management information system for Head Start. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) to: (1) review the training planned for community representatives to see that it is designed to produce consistency in interpreting program requirements and grantee monitoring; (2) determine what, if any, additional funding is needed by grantees to bring their programs into full compliance with performance standards and administrative requirements; (3) assure that adequate resources are made available to regional offices so that followup of monitoring efforts can be achieved; (4) issue a manual to grantees including models of administrative forms, records, and procedures; (5) work with regional office auditors and Office of Human Development Services (OHDS) grants management officers to improve the timeliness and expedite the regional offices' review of independent auditors' reports; (6) work with the HHS Audit Agency on developing and issuing additional guidance to independent auditors requiring the submission of balance sheets and operating statements showing more detail on expenses; (7) work with the HHS Audit Agency and the OHDS Grants and Contracts management Division to eliminate the requirements for independent audit work which duplicates functions performed by ACYF monitoring teams; and (8) direct regional office community representatives to validate grantees' program information reports before entering the data into the performance indicator system. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Human Development Services to determine the staffing and administrative requirements needed for the Head Start program and, if the Assistant Secretary finds that the Head Start program does not have the resources it needs and if resources can be made available, the Secretary should furnish the staff and other resources necessary for the program to carry out its responsibilities. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
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Child care programsChildrenProgram evaluationProgram managementLow-income school preparation programsAuditorsAuditsStaffing levelsEconomic opportunitiesFederal funds