Designation Renewal System Overview
Explore this brief overview of the Designation Renewal System (DRS) background and conditions.
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Designation Renewal System
The Designation Renewal System (DRS) holds Head Start agencies accountable for delivering high-quality and comprehensive services to the children and families they serve, and meeting program and financial requirements. The DRS establishes seven conditions to determine whether programs qualify for continued Head Start funding for five years without competing for those funds with other local agencies. Open competitions are held in communities in which a program meets one or more specified conditions. In this case, interested agencies may apply to provide Head Start services in that area through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Any agencies that do not meet one of the seven DRS conditions become eligible to receive a new five-year grant noncompetitively. The DRS was established in 2011 and revised in 2020.
Designation Renewal System Changes in 2020
The DRS Revisions in 2020 ensure the conditions for competitive designation target grantees with lower performance or systemic problems. The changes also support for grantees to continuously improve the quality of teacher-child interactions.
Questions and Responses Regarding the Designation Renewal System Changes
Find responses to questions anticipated from the public and the grantee community about Designation Renewal System (DRS) changes.
Revised Head Start Programs Performance Standards on the DRS
Effective November 9, 2020, the Head Start Program Performance Standards at 45 CFR § 1304 Subpart B will read as shown in the PDF.
Preamble to the Final Rule on DRS Changes
The preamble discusses the comments received in response to the notice of proposed rule-making and of the various impacts anticipate by the issuance of this rule.
Using CLASS® for Quality Improvement in the Designation Renewal System
The Designation Renewal System Final Rule makes important changes to the Classroom Assessment Scoring System condition. Dr. B explains how these changes promote a growth mindset and support continuous improvement.
1304.17 Flexibility for Head Start Designation Renewal determinations in certain emergencies
These requirements outline flexibility for Head Start designation renewal determinations in certain emergencies.
Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS) Changes: Answering Your Questions
Watch this webinar for answers to grantee questions about revisions to the Designation Renewal System (DRS) that will further improve and strengthen the Head Start program.
Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS) Final Rule Changes
Explore revisions to the Designation Renewal System (DRS) that will further improve and strengthen the Head Start program. They ensure less uncertainty around the competitive process for all Head Start agencies.
1304.10 Purpose and scope.
The purpose of this part is to set forth policies and procedures for the designation renewal of Head Start programs. It is intended that these programs be administered effectively and responsibly.
