Training and Research Foundation Head Start relies on the following information to determine eligibility:
TRF recruits all year along in the service areas: Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lennox and West L.A. We partner with many agencies and community programs to be visible and promote TRF services. TRF parents assist with recruitment in distributing flyers, informing their neighbors, family and friends of TRF services.
TRF uses a Selection point system to select children based on highest to low points. TRF also selects children with disabilities to participate in the program based on the need as well as the educational plan (IEP).
Eligible and selected children are enrolled. TRF continuously enrolls children throughout the program year.
Children’s attendance is crucial as they will benefit from educational and health services. Should a child be absent for excused reasons, it is highly recommended that the parent contact the site to report the absence and reason.
TRF has twenty-two experienced Family Service Advocates assigned to a site to work with a caseload of families. Their job is to ensure enrollment of the child, identify needs for the family, provide suitable resources and referrals internally and/or externally, assist the family with personal goals, review child’s medical history and nutrition.Each enrollment is an opportunity for parents to communicate to the Family Service Advocate of any concerns, needs, request information and referrals as well as throughout the program year. The FSA will follow-up with each family twice a year and as necessary.
TRF offers parenting education classes through AbriendoPuertas (Opening Doors) curriculum which provides a series of ten workshops ranging from Self-esteem, nutrition, health, be an effective parent, etc. They are free and available during the program year at three locations running the same time.
TRF conducts monthly parent center meetings to disseminate Policy Council reports, provide educational parent-child activities and information on program activities.
TRF strives to meet the needs of each child and their family by providing parent activities and encouraging parent participation throughout the program. As a federally funded program, one of TRF’s goals is to prepare children for the elementary school years by empowering families to participate in many activities such as workshops or trainings which will enable them to be effective advocates and parents. TRF primary focus is on family self-efficacy, support their child’s school readiness goals and classroom curriculum at home, provide families with support during transition into Head Start and into Kindergarten and opportunities for parents to strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills.
TRF ensures that every child enrolled and before, must have up-to-date immunizations, a current physical and dental exam each year. As part of the programs’ goals, TRF provides health education activities/topics such as asthma, child obesity, childhood lead, childhood diseases, updates on immunization information. TRF screens all children for vision and hearing, and works collaboratively with UCLA Vision and Lion’s Club Vision to ensure all children have a thorough screening. Heights and weight screenings are done twice a year for each enrolled childas part of the growth assessment. Mobile units are utilized to assist families in updating their child’s immunizations or for the parent. These services are free and highly recommended for families to participate.