Annual Community Assessment Update Considerations
Assess significant community changes, including regulatory updates, that could affect program operations and service delivery.
Community Assessment
This analysis provides information about the needs and resources of Head Start-eligible families and the community within a service area. This process informs the goal setting and design of new programs. Programs must review and update this data annually and the resources listed below offer assistance.
Community assessment, along with self-assessment, is one of the 12 program management systems on the Management Systems Wheel.
Pandemic Programmatic and Community Update
Use this matrix to strategically plan early childhood education program operations and services during a pandemic.
Services and Coordinated Approaches
Explore how a community assessment can help mobilize community resources and partnerships.
Community Assessment: The Foundation for Program Planning in Head Start
Explore community assessment standards and best practices. Learn how community assessments help programs remain responsive to the children and families they serve.
Why Conduct a Community Assessment?
Consider how the data gathered during a community assessment will be used to inform strategic planning, goal setting, and decision-making.
What Is Included in a Community Assessment?
Review what should be included in a community assessment.
Build on a Responsive Community Assessment
The community assessment is a way to jumpstart the program planning process. Learn how the assessment helps Head Start programs provide key services to the children and families that need them.
Conducting Public Forums and Listening Sessions
Nothing ensures the success of a program more than community participation in assessing their perceived needs, strengths, and hopes for the future. Programs can use this resource to plan and coordinate their community assessment. It provides insight into public forums and listening sessions. Learn how to conduct them to engage your community in identifying and solving problems.
1302.11 Determining community strengths, needs, and resources.
Programs must conduct a community assessment of their service area at least once over the five-year grant period. Review this standard for clarity about what should be considered.