(En inglés)
New Head Start Eligibility for Children in Tribal Programs
Glenna Davis: Hello and welcome, everyone, to the New Head Start Eligibility for Children in Tribal Programs webcast. It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to our Head Start deputy director, Captain Tala Hooban. Captain Hooban, the floor is yours.
Captain Tala Hooban: Thank you, Glenna. And hello everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today. My name is Tala Hooban and I am the deputy director of the Office of Head Start (OHS). I am very pleased to be here with you today to discuss American Indian American Native (AIAN) Head Start eligibility. For many years, tribal leaders have advocated for changes to the law to allow children within Native communities to access Head Start programs, which provide critical and foundational educational supports to Native children and families.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recognizes the advocacy of Native leaders and communities to change the systems that have restricted their access to critical community supports, including Head Start. Along the way, ACF has sought to learn more about the needs and challenges of Native communities and delivering these programs through discussions and tribal consultations and advice of its tribal advisory committee.
Based on this government-to-government consultation, ACF advanced a proposal in the President's budget that now has resulted in recognized tribes’ rights to designate Head Start eligibility. We celebrate this important legislative change with you and want to support you through the implementation of these changes.
We will do our best to answer any questions you may have today, but please continue to send us your questions. We will make sure they get answered. Next slide.
I would like to take a moment and invite my Head Start colleagues who are with us today to introduce themselves. Jess.
Jessica Bialeck: Thanks, Tala. My name is Jessica Bialeck. I'm the policy and planning division director for the Office of Head Start. Really excited to be here with all of you today. And I will turn it to my colleague, Todd.
Todd Lertjuntharangool: Thank you, Jess, and good afternoon and good morning, everyone. I'm Todd Lertjuntharangool. I'm the regional program manager for the Office of Head Start Region 11. Glad to be on.
Captain Hooban: Thank you, guys. Next slide. Thank you. Our agenda for today is to give an overview of the new eligibility provisions for the AIAN and Head Start programs, to discuss any implications of the new eligibility provisions, on the requirement on Head Start requirements and processes and to share answers to questions we have received about the new provisions.
We have 20 question and answers to go over with you today and to review next steps and opportunities for engagement. Next slide.
On March, 23rd of 2024, President Biden signed the further consolidated Appropriations Act into law, which provided provides fiscal year 2024 appropriations for several federal administration, federal departments, and agencies. As part of that act there are changes to eligibility criteria for region 11 American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start recipients.
This provision in section 238, specifies that in fiscal year 2024 and every year after, AIAN programs have the discretion to consider eligibility for Head Start services regardless of income. AIAN programs are still required to annually establish selection criteria to enroll children in their service areas who would benefit most from Head Start services.
The new language applies to both tribal and non-tribal children in an AIAN program service area. On May 13th, 2024, a program instruction or PI was published to support programs. In the implementation of this new provision today, we will go over the content of the PI and we will drop the link to this PI in the chat as well as the registration link.
Thank you, Jess. Next slide.
This law will increase the number of children in tribal communities who are eligible to participate in Head Start services. However, it does not increase the number of slots for AIAN programs. The new law is effective immediately. However, no child who is currently served in a tribal Head Start program should have their enrollment disrupted to accommodate any new enrollees who may qualify based on this change.
Next slide.
We will emphasize this first bullet several times today, as it is the heart of what we do. AIAN programs are still required to annually establish selection criteria to enroll children in their service area who would benefit most from Head Start services. To design a program that meets the community's needs and builds on the strengths and resources, a program has to conduct a community assessment at least once over the five-year grant period.
Therefore, a selection criteria has to weigh the prioritization of participants based on the needs identified in the needs assessment. This criteria may, at the program's discretion, include prioritizing children and families where a child, a family member, or a member of the same household as a member of an Indian tribe.
Next slide.
Programs are not required to update their selection criteria at this time. Sorry. Can we go back a slide?
Thank you. But if a program opts to change its selection criteria in response to this new provision in Section 238, it must engage in consultation with and obtain approval from its governing body and policy council. The program can then begin using the updated criteria. All programs must include their selection criteria in their annual refunding application.
Per Section 238, AIAN Head Start programs no longer have income requirements for eligibility, which means that AIAN programs don't need to collect income information from families for the purposes of eligibility. But, if an AIAN program decides to use income as part of its selection criteria to support making determinations regarding families most in need, it should continue collecting family income information accordingly.
Programs should continue to collect documentation to support and justify their selection processes. Next slide.
The Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) on eligibility now reflect some of the outdated requirements. To update the Head Start Performance Standards, OHS has to engage in a rulemaking process. In the interim, where there is misalignment between the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act in 2024 and the existing Head Start performance eligibility requirements, AIAN programs should follow the new statutory provision in Section 238.
For example, tribal programs are no longer required to verify eligibility based on income or maintain income eligibility records. Programs must still adhere to age eligibility requirements, and programs must develop and implement a recruitment process designed to actively inform all families within the recruitment area of the availability of these program services, and to encourage and assist them in applying for admission.
Existing enrollment and attendance regulations will also remain. Next slide.
For data and reporting, OHS issued guidance to grant recipients on May 9th on how to submit the 2023-2024 PIR for AIAN programs that deem families eligible for the new language in Section 238 during this program year. If programs exercise these new provisions for eligibility determinations during the 2023-2024 program year, they're encouraged to report families deemed eligible using categories A13E and A13F to the extent necessary in implementing the new law.
2024-2025 PIR will be updated to reflect these changes to AIAN eligibility policy. Next slide.
Monitoring. Recipients of upcoming FY 24 monitoring reviews will be monitored according to the changes to AIAN eligibility policy to the one in section 238. FY 2025 monitoring protocols will reflect these changes. Next slide.
Regarding the Full Enrollment Initiative, additional guidance will be forthcoming from OHS about how this new provision will impact the Full Enrollment Initiative. OHS plans to extend flexibility to AIAN grant recipients in the Full Enrollment Initiative to allow time to implement this new law.
Next slide. How does this affect change in scope? This new eligibility provision will not impact change in scope applications that have already been approved and implemented. I am now going to pass the floor to Jess to take us into the frequently asked questions. Jess and Todd.
Todd: Awesome. OK, so I guess I can go ahead and begin. What I'll do, I'll go ahead and read through some of the questions that we've got in, and then I'll punt over to you, Jess, for, I think, clarification. That works. OK. Looking through the questions, first question, what are the eligibility requirements for children and families in AIAN programs?
Jessica: Sure, I know we said a little bit this at the top, but just to be very clear that following the passage of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, which is what was passed on or signed on March 23rd, 2024, all families in an AIAN Head Start program service area with age eligible children or pregnant women are eligible for Head Start services regardless of income.
Todd: Awesome. Thank you. The second question, do families need to live on the reservation to be eligible for AIAN Head Start services?
Jessica: Yeah, I think this is a great question. Just to be very clear, families do not need to live on the reservation or be tribal members to be eligible for AIAN Head Start services.
The key piece here now is they must be within an AIAN program service area, whether they are tribal members or have family members who are tribal members or not.
Todd: Thank you. And the next slide. Third question. Does this new eligibility provision apply to non-AIAN families that are located in an AIAN program service area?
Jessica: Yeah. Yes, it does apply. It applies to non-AIAN families, inclusive of families who are not tribal members, are eligible so long as they are in the AIAN program service area.
Todd: Thank you. And next question, and this is probably the one that I've heard the most, do programs still need to collect income information from families?
Jessica: Great. Thanks. Yes. I think we've heard this the most too. No, AIAN programs are no longer required to collect or maintain income information from families for the purposes of eligibility. For eligibility, no longer required. However, we know that many programs will decide to use income, may decide to use income as a part of their selection criteria.
And if an AIAN program decides to use income as part of its selection criteria to support making determinations regarding families most in need, then they should collect and maintain family income information accordingly to help them support them in applying that selection criteria.
Todd: Thank you. The fifth question was, how does this new provision impact the over income eligibility allowances for tribal programs?
Jessica: Yeah, definitely a related question. Historically, we know that if a tribal program served all eligible pregnant women and children in the service area who wish to be enrolled, then that tribal program was able to serve up to 49% of slots with families with income above the poverty line.
Now, with this new legislative change, as of March 23rd, 2024, all families in a Tribal Head Start program service area who have age eligible children or pregnant women are now eligible for Head Start services. That includes those whose income is above the poverty level.
Due to this statutory change, as Tala mentioned before, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the HSPPS, on eligibility. They now do reflect some outdated requirements. And that includes, 1302. 12e, which references that over income allowance for tribal programs. To update our standards, we must engage in a formal rulemaking process.
In the interim, wherever there is misalignment between Section 238 of the Further Consolidations Appropriations Act, which is the law that was passed this spring, and existing HSPPS or standards around eligibility requirements, programs should follow the new statutory, the new law, statutory provision in Section 238.
And if programs have any questions about whether an existing requirement in the standards still applies, please reach out to that email address on the screen, AIANHeadStart@acf.hhs.gov.
Todd: Awesome. Thank you so much, Jess. And again, as we kind of always reiterate to folks that, there are real people at the end of that email address.
Please do send and submit your questions there. I think we can go to the next question. The sixth question was, how will programs report children’s eligibility and then in question number 13 in the 2023-2024 program information report? The PIR.
Jessica: Thanks, I'm glad we have a whole slide on this one and I know there was a related question in the chat about the information Talha shared before.
This is very important for this program year 2023-24 for question number A13 in the program information report, the PIR. Any children who are enrolled, or pregnant women who are enrolled in AIAN programs, after the passage of the new eligibility law, which was March 23rd, 2024, those children may be reported under A13E is the option, which is, “eligibility based on other type of need.”
I know that often has referred to over income children, but for this purpose we are saying that any children enrolled after March 23rd, 2024, may be reported under that response category. And there is no limit on the number of children reported in this category on the PIR form. Do want to add just a nuance that children who were enrolled in your programs for this program year before March 23rd should still be reported based on the way in which they were deemed eligible for your program.
Because of this media change, we want to make sure to give an option for programs who enrolled children, on March 23rd or after. And then we will give further guidance, on future year PIR forms about how to report around eligibility given, this big change in eligibility requirements for AIAN programs.
Todd: Awesome. Thank you. Then the next question. How does this new provision impact categorical eligibility? Specifically, those families who receive public assistance are experiencing homelessness and children in foster care.
Jessica: Yeah, this is a great question. And one I know we've gotten from several people, all families now in an AIAN Head Start program service area with age eligible children or pregnant women are now eligible for Head Start services.
Regardless of income. This includes families who receive public assistance, who are experiencing homelessness, and who have children in foster care. That said, AIAN programs are still required to annually establish selection criteria to enroll children in their service area who would benefit most from Head Start services, as Tala said, right?
Going back to that selection criteria point, and that may include families in these circumstances. And then also programs are still required to report data on these families, as required by another section of the PIR form, section C, which is separate from the eligibility section. You will still need to collect data on these family groups, on families who receive public assistance, are experiencing homelessness, are children in foster care.
But that information, is now not used to determine eligibility. It is used to inform other parts of your program and potentially your selection criteria.
Todd: Awesome. Thank you, Jess. The next question, number eight. Does this mean all families in an AIAN program service area are guaranteed placement in a Head Start program?
Jessica: No. Eligible applicants are not guaranteed enrollment in a program. In accordance with our Head Start regulations 1302. 14 and 1302. 11b, AIAN programs are still required, as they were before, to annually establish selection criteria to enroll children in their service area who would benefit most from Head Start services.
And these selection criteria must weigh the prioritization of participants based on needs as you identify, the program identifies in the community needs assessment, knowing that that may look different from program to program. And then I do just want to reiterate what Tala shared earlier that, the new law that was passed to change eligibility requirements did also reaffirm and emphasize that these selection criteria can include a priority for children who are tribal members or who have a family member who is a tribal member.
Todd: Thank you, Jess. And the next question, this is one that we've gotten quite a bit too. How will AIAN programs verify eligibility?
Jessica: Thanks. AIAN programs are no longer required to verify eligibility based on income or maintain income eligibility records for the purposes of eligibility.
Income records for the purpose of eligibility. If an AIAN program chooses to use income as a criteria for prioritizing children to enroll in Head Start or selection criteria, then the program must have a method for documenting income. I do want to point out that, the child does obviously still need to be age eligible.
You do need to continue to verify age eligibility. And then also just want to point out, as I said before, that due to the law, and I won't read this whole thing again, but due to the change in the law, our standards, the HSPPS, on eligibility now do reflect some outdated requirements. And to update the standards, we have to engage in a formal rulemaking process.
In the interim, where there is misalignment between the new law, the Further Consolidations Appropriations Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, and our existing eligibility requirements in the standards, AIAN programs should follow the new statutory provision in Section 238. And if you have any questions, again, just want to reiterate.
Please reach out to AIANHeadStart@acf.hhs.gov and also continue to put questions in the chat. These are great.
Todd: Thanks, Jess. And this one kind of picks up on that last one as well in terms of like the documentation. Do AIAN programs need to develop a revised eligibility verification form?
Jessica: No, because AIAN programs are no longer required to verify eligibility based on income or maintain income eligibility records.
They do not need to develop or use a revised eligibility verification form to collect income information. But again, you do need to verify a child's age eligibility. That standard, which is 1302. 12b, is in place. And if you're familiar with the eligibility form now, that is. There's one question on that that asks for date of birth, you are still required to, you know, collect a child's date of birth and verify that, as is outlined in the standards.
Todd: Thanks. And the next question, are programs still required to follow other requirements for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance?
Jessica: Yes, while this new law changes eligibility requirements, which is that one letter of ERSI, other standards for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance do remain.
For example, even with eligibility, programs must still adhere to age eligibility requirements. 1302. 12b and per 1302. 13, programs must develop and implement a recruitment process designed to actively inform all families within the recruitment area of the availability of program services and to encourage and assist them in applying for admission.
Also, per 1302. 14, 1302. 11b. AIAN programs are still required to annually establish selection criteria, as we've said probably about a dozen times today, to enroll children in their service area who would benefit most from Head Start services. Existing enrollment, such as 1302. 15 and attendance regulations also remain.
But again, if you have any questions about which of the standards, existing requirements in the standards still apply, please reach out to us, at the email address.
Todd: Thank you. And then, the next question, which is a good question. Per section 238 in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Public Law 118-477, I'm sorry, 47 and, and ACF-OHS-PI-24-03. Selection criteria made at the program's discretion include prioritizing children in families where a child, a family member, or a member of the same household is a member of an Indian tribe.
What exactly does this mean?
Jessica: Yeah, absolutely. Programs have the option to explicitly include the prioritization of children in families where a child, a family, or household member is a member of an Indian tribe as part of its selection criteria. Do want to point out this is a discretion that programs had previously, but the law just really emphasizes that programs and programs have this discretion to explicitly include this prioritization.
Tribal membership enrollment criteria are outlined in tribal constitutions, articles of incorporation, or ordinances. And as I'm sure many know, the criteria vary from tribe to tribe, uniform membership requirements don't exist. Tribes have the authority to define their tribal membership requirements and how they'll use those requirements for Head Start selection criteria.
Because programs have always had the discretion to design their selection criteria, that is, as you know, really at the core of the Head Start program, they have always had the option to prioritize children in families where a child, a family member, or a member of the same household is a member of an Indian tribe.
The new provision really just emphasizes this option. However, programs do not have to make changes to their selection criteria to include this language.
Todd: Thank you. And the next question, following this new statute, are programs required to update their selection criteria?
Jessica: Just to emphasize that, no, but they may choose to.
Todd: Thank you. I think that leads into the next question. If a program chooses to update their selection criteria. Do they need to get approval from their OHS regional office to make the change?
Jessica: No, it is not required for programs to get approval from their OHS regional office to make a change to their selection criteria.
However, we want to make sure to remind everyone that programs must engage in consultation with and obtain approval from its governing, from their governing body and policy council. And then once these approvals are obtained, the program can begin using the updated selection criteria. We do very much encourage programs to reach out to their assigned OHS program specialists to help support the process and answer any questions that they may have.
And all programs must include their selection criteria in their annual refunding application.
Todd: Awesome, thank you. And the next question, and I've received this a few times, this new law is significantly increasing the number of children who are eligible in our community. Will we receive more funding to serve additional slots?
Jessica: No, there's no additional funding attached this legislative change around eligibility requirements. OHS hopes that by expanding eligibility to more families, tribes will have the flexibility based on their community assessments to better meet the unique needs of children and families in their service area.
Because programs must fill any vacancy within 30 days based on, our standards in 1302. 15. A, programs are required to maintain an active waitlist, which is in 1302. 14c, to serve families as soon as possible if a slot becomes available.
Todd: Thank you. And our next question, and I know we touched on this briefly during the presentation, but certainly because we've received it, we want to reiterate this one.
How will this new provision impact programs in the Full Enrollment Initiative?
Jessica: Programs with four or more consecutive months of under enrollment in any Head Start and or Early Head Start program will receive an under-enrollment letter from the regional office, and that starts the FEI process.
While in the FEI, programs must develop in collaboration with OHS a 12-month plan for reducing and ultimately eliminating under enrollment. Now, we want, we recognize that we want to allow time to implement this new law, these new changes around eligibility requirements, and we understand that a program's enrollment status may be impacted by these changes.
OHS is extending flexibility to AIAN recipients that are in the FEI, in the full enrollment initiative.
Todd: Thank you. And the next question, will this new provision impact change in scope applications?
Jessica: I know Tala mentioned this before, but just to reiterate, the new eligibility provision will not impact change in scope applications that have already been approved and implemented.
If you have questions about a change in scope request that is currently pending, please reach out to the OHS regional office.
Todd: Thank you. And the next one I know is an important one. I think one that's, on the minds of a lot of our directors and programs around the country. How will this new provision impact monitoring?
Jessica: Yeah, absolutely. Recipients who have upcoming FY 24 monitoring reviews, will be monitored according to these changes to AIAN eligibility policy. These changes were effective immediately. We have informed our entire office internally and all of our efforts are being aligned to match the change in law.
And then we'll also be making sure to reflect these changes in the fiscal year 2025 monitoring protocols.
Todd: Thank you. Next question. How long does this new income eligibility provision last?
Jessica: This is the good news is that, well, I think there's a lot of good news, but this is definitely good news that this new income eligibility provision applies this fiscal year and for all future years.
It is a statutory change, and that is what was specified in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 public law. 1847.
Todd: Thank you. And then the last question, how does this new eligibility provision apply to non-tribal Head Start programs who serve AIAN families?
Jessica: It's a great question. It does, the answer is it does not apply to non-tribal Head Start programs.
This law is specific to AIAN programs in region 11. Only programs designated by an Indian tribe to operate on its behalf. If there's an AIAN family seeking to be served in a non-AIAN Head Start program, in Head Start, that's regions 1 through 10, that are geographical regions, they must adhere to the standard eligibility requirements for Head Start services as are outlined in our standards in 1302. 12.
You’re probably tired of hearing my voice, now, that said, I do see that some of you have some additional questions, and we're going to kind of look at the Q& A. Some I know have been already answered in the chat, but we'll look at the Q& A to see if you've shared some additional questions.
And I'm also just going to pause to see if anybody has any other questions they'd like to ask and can put those, either in the chat or in the Q& A. And I'm actually just going to lift just in case people are not, attending to the Q& A or the chat, I'm going to lift a few of these out that I see people have asked since we have the time.
One I see which was just asked, which is, what does AIAN, mean? Which is an excellent, excellent question. We refer to that a lot. That's American Indian Alaska Native. It's just the abbreviation for that. But let's go through and I can highlight a few, a few other ones. Just want to reiterate this because I know this is a big one.
Someone said, even though low income is no longer an eligibility, I assume criteria, we do not need to have income on file for any applicants. In other words, ERSI managers no longer need income as part of the application process. That was the question. Sarah answered in the chat, but just want to reiterate it here.
ERSI managers only need to collect income if income is part of a program selection criteria to support serving, to prioritize enrolling children and serving children and families most in need. But they do not need it for the purposes of eligibility. That would be for the purposes of selection.
If that is part of the selection criteria approved by your governing board and policy council. I do again, just want to point out that we do still require information to be collected on families experiencing homelessness, families receiving public assistance. Families in, with children in foster care as those are separate data, categories that we collect on the PIR each year, and they should inform your program design to ensure you're meeting the needs of those, groups of families.
OK. I see a good question. If we decide we want to change our selection criteria after we have submitted our annual refunding application, do we need to report it or should we wait for our next annual refunding application? Great question. The answer is; you can absolutely change your selection criteria after you've submitted your annual refunding application.
You do not need to get approval from the OHS regional office to make that change. Of course, you do need to engage in consultation with and obtain approval from your governing body and policy council if you make, whenever you make a change to your selection criteria. But once you obtain those approvals from your governing body and policy council, you can use your updated criteria, you should definitely have them on file.
That if we visit, or you're getting a monitoring review those are the most updated selection criteria are accessible.
Who determines the program service area? I think this is a really great question because so much of eligibility now just is based on who is in the service area. Sarah answered this in the Q& A, but a program service area is determined by the recipient in their grant application. It's often defined as the area by county or sub county area, such as the municipality, town, or census tract, or jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian reservation.
And Sarah included a link there, but the applicable standard, which has not changed is 1302. 11.
Let's see.
OK. Someone asked, are you able to send the communication regarding the completion of the 2023-2024 PIR? That communication was sent and should be able to be found under the resources tab on HSES. If you have any trouble finding it, please just send us an email as Todd says, there are real people behind that email account, AIANHeadStart@acf.hhs.gov and we'll forward that on to you.
It is also listed if you, if you just want to get documentation of it, it's actually one of our FAQs. That FAQ document will be available on the ECLKC, shortly.
Let’s see.
We have someone said, is Early Head Start included in the new rules? And, along those lines, if they're all considered Early Head Start, do we no longer consider them childcare children? These eligibility provisions do not, differ based on Head Start or Early Head Start.
They apply to both Head Start and Early Head Start programs that are administered by recipients in region 11, AIAN Head Start and Tribal Head Start programs.
I see a question, I'm sort of going back and forth between the Q& A and the chat. Dawn asks, how long does OHS expect us to make changes if we plan to update our policy and procedures? Dawn, if you're asking how long do we expect that it would take, I think I do want to say we understand that it will take time to implement these changes.
This was something that, as Tala said, we know tribal communities, leaders, many of you advocated for many years, and we weren't exactly sure when it was going to happen. We are very glad that it did but understand that it takes time to implement. These changes are effective immediately, and the children are now eligible, any child in your service area is eligible.
You don't need to wait for anything to abide by these new eligibility requirements. That said, in terms of updating your selection criteria, if you choose to do so we understand that that may take time and we don't have a particular requirement for when you do that. You do not need to update your selection criteria at this time.
But you may choose to do so.
Is the definition of family and household the same as in the definition of 1305. 2? Excellent question. Yes, the definition of family and household has not changed.
Someone asked, how would we be able to make these changes but not change our eligibility criteria? Would it just be a statement or change in the policy that go to the policy council and tribal council? Just to be very clear, these are the eligibility criteria has changed for everyone in Tribal Head Start in Region 11.
What you have the option to change is your selection criteria in who you prioritize to enroll out of the pool of eligible children. The eligibility criteria has changed by law; you have the choice to change the selection criteria in light of this new provision. And if you do that, then you do need to get those changes approved by the policy council and tribal council or governing body.
Let's see.
I'll ask the rest of the team if there's any more that we feel. I feel like we've answered a good number of them. I see a question about how long will we extend the FEI? What will be the flexibility granted? Great question. Impacted recipients in the FEI, who are coming up on the end of the 12-month plan, they'll receive direct notification and details about what that flexibility entails and how long, it may apply.
Is it required to collect birth certificates to verify age eligibility, or is this self-reported, by parent or guardian? Great question. The standard around age eligibility has not changed. The age eligibility has not changed, and the requirements for what you collect to prove age eligibility has not changed.
That is the only eligibility documentation you need to collect, and that has not changed from current standards.
I see serving. This is a great question serving urban AIAN young children and families is a concern. Is it possible that this opportunity might be allowed to non-region 11 programs that serve a high number of AIAN children and families. It was asked, does it state not allowed clearly in the act or open for policy clarification.
The eligibility law change applies only to AIAN programs only those specified by the law, those region 11 programs. Non-Region 11 programs, we know that there are many urban, as you mentioned, Head Start programs in urban areas that serve, AIAN young children and families. Those programs can prioritize AIAN families in their selection criteria if they choose.
That discretion still remains. That has not changed. However, for non-Region 11 programs, the income requirements around eligibility remain.
I think there's just a couple of open questions.
What are we supposed to use for income status when reporting? If this is for the PIR, I just want to reiterate, this is Ariel's question and the question and answer. For 2023-2024 PIR, for children who are enrolled on March 23rd or after, you can use, A13E, which is other eligibility category.
You can report children enrolled after the law change under that category.
Jennifer, thanks for joining. I see you said, you're joining late. Sarah, I think, put your answer in the chat. OK. I think we have answered most of the questions that I have seen and apologies if I missed any, that were, asked in either the Q& A or the chat. I will say we have recorded all of these questions. We will go back through and if there's any that we weren't able to answer live or in the chat, we will make sure that if they're not already in the FAQ document that will be published that we get answers to you.
And if you have any further questions, again, we encourage you to email those to us at AIANheadstart@acf.hhs.gov
Todd: Thank you Jess.
Jessica: I think I'll hand it back to Tala.
Captain Hooban: Thank you, Todd. Thank you, Jess. There are ways for you to engage with us about eligibility or any other topics. After this webinar. We're about halfway through a 6-month comment period for the Tribal Request for Information, which if you scan the QR code there, it'll take you to that page, to the resource page to find out how to leave a comment or to look at other resources.
The comment period for that ends September 16th of 2024. We're also facilitating some in person convenings. We recently met with tribal leaders at the National Congress of American Indians 2024 Mid-Year Convention and Marketplace in Cherokee, North Carolina. We will have a team at the National Indian Head Start Directors Association, NSHDA, Management Training Conference next week.
Wow, that's already next week. And the Northwest Indian Head Start Coalition Annual Conference in August. We have a joint tribal consultation coming up, and we will go over the information in more detail on the next slides. Next slide, please.
In 2024 in July, we have the ACF, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care, and the Office of Head Start. We're hosting a joint in-person and virtual tribal consultation with tribal leaders focused on early childhood programs and services.
The Tribal Consultation will be held July 9th and 10th at Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation's Wicopa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, Arizona. At the consultation, tribal leaders will have the opportunity to engage with ACF officials on key topics such as the tribal request for information and the revised AIAN eligibility legislation.
We will drop the registration link to this event in the chat now, please feel free to register. Again, it's in-person and virtual option. Next slide please. We sincerely want to thank you for joining us today. Please remember to email us at this email address with any questions or comments. AIANHeadStart@acf.hhs.gov. I hope you have a great day and thank you again. Thanks all.
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