The statutes authorizing the Title IV-A Head Start Plus and Title IV-A Head Start part-time programs will be repealed on July 1, 2005. The programs will end on June 30, 2005. In most counties, these programs will be replaced by a new program, the Early Learning Initiative (ELI), which will begin July 1, 2005. Like the programs it is replacing, ELI will serve three and four year olds with child care and educational services in order to prepare them to enter kindergarten.

Included in this procedure letter is the JFS 01477 "Notice About Your Title IV-A Head Start (Child Care) Benefits" that county departments of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) must send to each family who has a child in a Title IV-A Head Start Plus or Title IV-A Head Start part-time program to advise them of the termination of Title IV-A Head Start programs. The JFS 01477 advises families of their state hearing rights due to the termination of Title IV-A Head Start services. This notice must be mailed or personally delivered to each family no later than June 15, 2005.

CDJFS must send two copies of the JFS 01477 to each family currently receiving Title IV-A Head Start services so that if they choose, they can use one to request a county conference or state hearing and keep one copy for their records. In addition, the CDJFS may send their own correspondence to families with more specific information on transitioning to ELI.

A list of ELI agencies and providers in Excel format can be viewed and downloaded at: https://innerweb.odjfs.state.oh.us/cdc/index.shtml. This list will be updated periodically and a revision date will show the date of change.

The JFS 01477 will become obsolete on August 1, 2005, without further notice.

JFS 01477Notice About Your Title IV - A Head Start (Child Care) Benefits