106 children on Head Start wait list

If the Public School System’s kindergarten program recorded a significant decline in the number of children on its wait list, it’s a different case for the Head Start program because over a hundred children are now waiting for an opportunity to be accommodated in its classrooms.

Head Start director Melissa Palacios disclosed Friday that a total of 106 children are on the program’s wait list this school year, slightly higher than last year’s 96. Majority of them, she said, are 3-year-olds.

Palacios said that all 96 children from last year’s wait list are now in classrooms so those on their wait list are all first-timers on the list.

Wait-listed children are only accepted when a Head Start student withdraws from the program. Those who take the place of students that withdraw are chosen based on who is the next most eligible in line.

Head Start enrollment is governed by the funding it gets from the federal government. Some four years ago, Head Start’s authorized enrollment was at 579. This went down to 462 as a result of a decrease in funding allotment for the program.

According to PSS federal programs officer Tim Thornburgh, the only way enrollment can be expanded is when federal funds for the program increase. He said that each year, CNMI Head Start receives about half a million dollars for its 462 enrollees. He explained that a formula is being followed in calculating the funding allotment for outlying areas.

Palacios reported to the Education Board Friday that the program remains compliant with federal requirements such as the mandated 10-percent enrollment of children with disabilities. This school year, there are 55 students with disabilities under the program, which represents 12 percent of the entire Head Start population.

She also announced that the Public School System was able to hire classroom teachers with associate degrees, as mandated by federal rules. However, because many of these degree holders are new to the program, they lack the necessary number of years of experience.

As a result, CNMI Head Start has submitted a “request for waiver” for these teachers and is now awaiting a response from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Head Start program provides developmental services for low-income children ages 3 to 5 and social services for their families. There are 10 Head Start centers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.