Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office

What is the State Collaboration Office?
Despite its federal-to-local program structure, the Head Start community recognizes that the states play an important role in the formulation and implementation of policies and initiatives that affect low-income children and their families. Collaboration on behalf of children and families is one of Head Start's highest priorities. Since 1990, the Head Start Bureau has funded Head Start-State Collaboration grants to create the capacity to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships at the State level. The Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office was established through these funds in 1993.

The Collaboration Office ensures the coordination of Head Start services with health care, welfare, child care, education and community service activities, family literacy services, services to homeless families, and activities relating to children with disabilities. As Iowa continues to invest in coordinated services for young children and their families, broad collaboration with Head Start occurs in a variety of ways, including the development and enhancement of State-level efforts to build early childhood systems through linkages, coordination, and integration of policies and services.

Learn more: https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/early-childhood/head-start-state-collaboration-office '

Contact information: Monica Garner, 515-336-3281, monica.garner@iowa.gov