The Head Start State Collaboration Project, which is housed in the Maryland State Department of Education, annually receives federal funds to foster public/private partnerships and coordinate programs and policies to ensure the provision of appropriate, quality early childhood services. This is accomplished by working closely with state agencies, the Maryland Head Start Association, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, and other early childhood stakeholders to improve the accessibility of children from low-income families to educational and other comprehensive services by:
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developing significant partnerships between Head Start agencies, State agencies, local governments, communities, and parents. This includes facilitating State and local agreements between Head Start and public schools to improve the school readiness of children from low-income families, children with disabilities, and children from other than English speaking families;
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promoting greater community and public awareness of Head Start and Early Head Start services;
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assisting in building effective early childhood systems;
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improving access to comprehensive services for low-income children in the areas of education, health, and nutrition;
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serving as a liaison for between Head Start and national, regional and local agencies and organizations;
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managing Head Start State Supplemental Grants; and
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assisting with and contributing to Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development programs and initiatives, including the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, credentialing, accreditation, Maryland Model for School Readiness, public prekindergarten, and Judy Centers.
Head Start State Collaboration Office Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Early Childhood Development
200 W. Baltimore Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
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Director: Vanessa Jones
410-767-8959