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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998
(Senate - July 27, 1998)

Text of this article available as: TXT PDF [Pages S9067-S9087] COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 483, S. 2206. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2206) to amend the Head Start Act, the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the bill? There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998'' or the ``Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. References. Sec. 103. Statement of purpose. Sec. 104. Definitions. Sec. 105. Financial assistance for Head Start programs. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 107. Allotment of funds. Sec. 108. Designation of Head Start agencies. Sec. 109. Quality standards. Sec. 110. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies. Sec. 111. Head Start transition. Sec. 112. Submission of plans to Governors. Sec. 113. Participation in Head Start programs. Sec. 114. Early Head Start programs for families with infants and toddlers. Sec. 115. Technical assistance and training. Sec. 116. Staff qualifications and development. Sec. 117. Research, demonstration, and evaluation. Sec. 118. Repeal. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Sec. 201. Reauthorization. Sec. 202. Conforming amendments. Sec. 203. Repealers. TITLE III--LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE Sec. 301. Authorization. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Natural disasters and other emergencies. Sec. 304. State allotments. Sec. 305. Administration. Sec. 306. Payments to States. Sec. 307. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge option. Sec. 308. Technical assistance, training, and compliance reviews. TITLE IV--ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Findings. [[Page S9068]] Sec. 403. Purposes. Sec. 404. Definitions. Sec. 405. Applications. Sec. 406. Demonstration authority; annual grants. Sec. 407. Reserve Fund. Sec. 408. Eligibility for participation. Sec. 409. Selection of individuals to participate. Sec. 410. Deposits by qualified entities. Sec. 411. Local control over demonstration projects. Sec. 412. Annual progress reports. Sec. 413. Sanctions. Sec. 414. Evaluations. Sec. 415. Treatment of funds. Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Head Start Amendments of 1998''. SEC. 102. REFERENCES. Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). SEC. 103. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The Head Start Act is amended by striking section 636 (42 U.S.C. 9831) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 636. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. ``It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision, to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined to be necessary, based on family needs assessments.''. SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS. Section 637 (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (14) as paragraphs (7) through (16), respectively; (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6) and inserting such paragraph after paragraph (4); (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: ``(3) The term `child with a disability' means-- ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and ``(B) an infant or toddler with a disability, as defined in section 632(5) of such Act. ``(4) The term `delegate agency' means a public, private nonprofit, or for-profit organization or agency to which a grantee has delegated all or part of the responsibility of the grantee for operating a Head Start program. ``(5) The term `family literacy services' means services that-- ``(A) are provided to participants who receive the services on a voluntary basis; ``(B) are of sufficient intensity, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family (such as eliminating or reducing dependence on income-based public assistance); and ``(C) integrate each of-- ``(i) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; ``(ii) training for parents on being partners with their children in learning; ``(iii) parent literacy training, including training that contributes to economic self-sufficiency; and ``(iv) appropriate instruction for children of parents receiving the parent literacy training.''; (4) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an agency to provide services to a child who has not reached the age of compulsory school attendance for more than the number of hours per day permitted by State law (including regulation) for the provision of services to such a child.''; (5) by striking paragraph (14) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)) and inserting the following: ``(14) The term `migrant or seasonal Head Start program' means-- ``(A) with respect to services for migrant farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged in agricultural labor and who have changed their residence from one geographic location to another in the preceding 2-year period; and ``(B) with respect to services for seasonal farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who have not changed their residence to another geographic location in the preceding 2-year period.''; and (6) by adding at the end the following: ``(17) The term `reliable and replicable', used with respect to research, means an objective, valid, scientific study that-- ``(A) includes a rigorously defined sample of subjects, that is sufficiently large and representative to support the general conclusions of the study; ``(B) relies on measurements that meet established standards of reliability and validity; ``(C) is subjected to peer review before the results of the study are published; and ``(D) discovers effective strategies for enhancing the development and skills of children.''. SEC. 105. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS. Section 638(1) (42 U.S.C. 9833(1)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``aid the'' and inserting ``enable the''; and (2) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``and attain school readiness;''. SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Section 639 (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1995 through 1998'' and inserting ``1999 through 2003''; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking all that follows ``shall make available--'' and inserting the following: ``(1) for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out activities authorized under section 642A, not more than $35,000,000 but not less than was made available for such activities for fiscal year 1998; ``(2) not more than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out impact studies under section 649(g); and ``(3) not more than $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, to carry out other research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including longitudinal studies, under section 649.''. SEC. 107. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS. (a) Allotments.--Section 640(a) (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``handicapped children'' and inserting ``children with disabilities''; (ii) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (iii) by striking ``1994'' and inserting ``1998''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``related to the development and implementation of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2).'' and inserting ``carried out under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 641A(d) related to correcting deficiencies and conducting proceedings to terminate the designation of Head Start agencies; and''; (D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) payments for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 649.''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``In determining the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and services provided through such programs, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate entities, including providers of services for seasonal and migrant Head Start programs. The Secretary shall, after taking into consideration the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and such services, ensure that there is an adequate level of such services for the children of eligible migrant farmworkers before approving an increase in the allocation provided for children of eligible seasonal farmworkers. In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue the administrative arrangement responsible for meeting the needs of migrant or seasonal farmworker and Indian children and shall assure that appropriate funding is provided to meet such needs.''; (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``adequate qualified staff'' and inserting ``adequate numbers of qualified staff''; and (II) by inserting ``and children with disabilities'' before ``, when''; (ii) in clause (iv), by inserting before the period the following: ``, and to encourage the staff to continually improve their skills and expertise by informing the staff of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for professional development and by providing for preferences in the awarding of salary increases, in excess of cost-of-living allowances, to staff who obtain additional training or education related to their responsibilities as employees of a Head Start program or to advance their careers within the Head Start program''; (iii) in clause (vi), by striking the period and inserting ``, and are physically accessible to children with disabilities and their parents.''; (iv) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and (v) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified staff that can promote language skills and literacy growth of children and that can provide children with a variety of skills that have been identified, through research that is reliable and replicable, as predictive of later reading achievement.''; (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I)-- (I) by striking ``of staff'' and inserting ``of classroom teachers and other staff''; and (II) by striking ``such staff'' and inserting ``qualified staff, including recruitment and retention pursuant to section 648A(a)''; (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: ``(ii) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph (2)(C) to provide training to classroom teachers and other staff on proven techniques that promote-- ``(I) language and literacy growth; and ``(II) the acquisition of the English language for non- English background children and families.''; (iii) in clause (v), by inserting ``accessibility or'' before ``availability''; (iv) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses (iv), (v), (vi), and (iii), respectively; and (v) by inserting clause (iii) (as redesignated in clause (iv) of this subparagraph) after clause (ii); and (C) in subparagraph (D)(i)(II), by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``1981'' and inserting ``1998''; (4) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (D)''; (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period the following: ``and to encourage [[Page S9069]] Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities involved in State and local planning processes (including the State lead agency administering the financial assistance received under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and the entities providing resource and referral services in the State) in order to better meet the needs of low-income children and families''; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``the appropriate regional office of the Administration for Children and Families and'' before ``agencies''; (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; (iii) in clause (iv)-- (I) by striking ``education, and national service activities,'' and inserting ``education, and community service activities,''; (II) by striking ``and activities'' and inserting ``activities''; and (III) by striking the period and inserting ``, and services for homeless children; and''; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: ``(v) include representatives of the State Head Start Association and local Head Start agencies in unified planning regarding early care and education services at both the State and local levels, including collaborative efforts to plan for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and education services for children.''; (D) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (F); and (E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) Following the award of collaboration grants described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide, from the reserved sums, supplemental funding for collaboration grants-- ``(i) to States that (in consultation with their State Head Start Associations) develop statewide, regional, or local unified plans for early childhood education and child care that include the participation of Head Start agencies; and ``(ii) to States that engage in other innovative collaborative initiatives, including plans for collaborative training and career development initiatives for child care, early childhood education, and Head Start service managers, providers, and staff. ``(E)(i) The Secretary shall-- ``(I) review on an ongoing basis evidence of barriers to effective collaboration between Head Start programs and other Federal child care and early childhood education programs and resources; ``(II) develop initiatives, including providing additional training and technical assistance and making regulatory changes, in necessary cases, to eliminate barriers to the collaboration; and ``(III) develop a mechanism to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between such programs that would be a barrier to service providers, parents, or children related to the provision of unified services and the consolidation of funding for child care services. ``(ii) In the case of a collaborative activity funded under this subchapter and another provision of law providing for Federal child care or early childhood education, the use of equipment and nonconsumable supplies purchased with funds made available under this subchapter or such provision shall not be restricted to children enrolled or otherwise participating in the program carried out under that subchapter or provision, during a period in which the activity is predominantly funded under this subchapter or such provision.''; and (5) in paragraph (6)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``From''; and (B) by striking ``3 percent'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``7.5 percent for fiscal year 1999, 8 percent for fiscal year 2000, 9 percent for fiscal year 2001, 10 percent for fiscal year 2002, and 10 percent for fiscal year 2003, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in subparagraph (B). ``(B)(i) For any fiscal year for which the Secretary determines that the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is not sufficient to permit the Secretary to reserve the portion described in subparagraph (A) without reducing the number of children served by Head Start programs or adversely affecting the quality of Head Start services, relative to the number of children served and the quality of the services during the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary may reduce the percentage of funds required to be reserved for the portion described in subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year for which the determination is made, but not below the percentage required to be so reserved for the preceding fiscal year. ``(ii) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is reduced to a level that requires a lower amount to be made available under this subchapter to Head Start agencies and entities described in section 645A, relative to the amount made available to the agencies and entities for the preceding fiscal year, adjusted as described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall proportionately reduce-- ``(I) the amounts made available to the entities for programs carried out under section 645A; and ``(II) the amounts made available to Head Start agencies for Head Start programs.''. (b) Children With Disabilities.--Section 640(d) (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``1982'' and inserting ``1999''; and (2) by striking ``(as defined in section 602(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)''. (c) Increased Appropriations.--Section 640(g) (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, and the performance history of the applicant in providing services under other Federal programs (other than the program carried out under this subchapter);''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``spoken);'' and inserting ``spoken, and organizations serving children with disabilities);''; (C) in subparagraph (D), by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and the extent to which, and manner in which, the applicant demonstrates the ability to collaborate and participate with other local community providers of child care or preschool services to provide full-working-day, full calendar year services''; (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``program; and'' and inserting ``program or any other early childhood program;''; (E) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (F) by adding at the end the following: ``(G) the extent to which the applicant proposes to foster partnerships with other service providers in a manner that will enhance the resource capacity of the applicant.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), after taking into account the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary may allocate a portion of the remaining additional funds under subsection (a)(2)(A) for the purpose of increasing funds available for the activities described in such subsection.''. (d) Migrant or Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (2) by striking ``migrant families'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal farmworker families''. (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 644(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9839(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``640(a)(3)(C)(v)'' and inserting ``640(a)(3)(C)(vi)''. SEC. 108. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 641 (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State in which the community is located)'' after ``the Secretary''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; (ii) by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (iii) by striking ``unless the Secretary makes a finding'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``unless the Secretary determines that the agency involved fails to meet program and financial management requirements, performance standards described in section 641A(a)(1), or other requirements established by the Secretary.''; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; and (C) by aligning the margins of paragraphs (2) and (3) with the margins of paragraph (1); (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: ``In selecting from among qualified applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head Start program that the Secretary determines has met or exceeded the performance standards and outcome-based performance measures described in section 641A.''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``(at home and in the center involved where practicable)'' after ``activities''; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: ``(7) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of non- English background children and their families, including needs related to the acquisition of the English language; ``(8) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of children with disabilities;''; (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: ``(e) If no agency in the community receives priority designation under subsection (c), and there is no qualified applicant in the community, the Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the community is so designated.''; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(g) If the Secretary determines that a nonprofit agency and a for-profit agency have submitted applications for designation of equivalent quality under subsection (d), the Secretary may give priority to the nonprofit agency.''. SEC. 109. QUALITY STANDARDS. (a) Quality Standards.--Section 641A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including minimum levels of overall accomplishment,'' after ``regulation standards''; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``education,''; (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: ``(B)(i) education performance standards to ensure the school readiness of children participating in a Head Start program, on completion [[Page S9070]] of the Head Start program and prior to entering school; and ``(ii) additional education performance standards to ensure that the children participating in the program, at a minimum-- ``(I) develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness; ``(II) understand and use oral language to communicate needs, wants, and thoughts; ``(III) understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; ``(IV) develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books; and ``(V) in the case of non-English background children, progress toward acquisition of the English language.''; (2) by striking paragraph (2); (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (4) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated in paragraph (3))-- (A) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; and (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)-- (I) by striking ``not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,''; and (II) by striking ``section 651(b)'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subsection; and''; and (ii) in subclause (ii), by striking ``November 2, 1978'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''; and (5) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated in paragraph (3)), by striking ``to an agency (referred to in this subchapter as the ``delegate agency'')'' and inserting ``to a delegate agency''. (b) Performance Measures.--Section 641A(b) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Outcome- Based'' before ``Performance''; (2) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the'' and inserting ``The''; (B) by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; (C) by striking ``(referred'' and inserting ``, and the impact of the services provided through the programs to children and their families (referred''; (D) by striking ``performance measures'' and inserting ``outcome-based performance measures''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``The performance measures shall include the performance standards described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii).''; and (3) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Design'' and inserting ``Characteristics''; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall be designed--'' and inserting ``shall--''; (C) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to assess'' and inserting ``be used to assess the impact of''; (D) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``to''; and (ii) by striking ``and peer review'' and inserting ``, peer review, and program evaluation''; and (E) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``be developed'' before ``for other''. (c) Monitoring.--Section 641A(c)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (C)-- (A) by inserting ``(including children with disabilities)'' after ``eligible children''; and (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) as part of the reviews of the programs, include a review and assessment of program effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the outcome-based performance measures developed pursuant to subsection (b) and with the performance standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).''. (d) Termination.--Section 641A(d) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), to read as follows: ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, require the agency-- ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, if the Secretary finds that the deficiency threatens the health or safety of staff or program participants or poses a threat to the integrity of Federal funds; ``(ii) to correct the deficiency not later than 90 days after the identification of the deficiency if the Secretary finds, in the discretion of the Secretary, that such a 90-day period is reasonable, in light of the nature and magnitude of the deficiency; or ``(iii) in the discretion of the Secretary (taking into consideration the seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required to correct the deficiency), to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and''; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``able to correct a deficiency immediately'' and inserting ``required to correct a deficiency immediately or during a 90-day period under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)''. SEC. 110. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 642 (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) by inserting ``and collaborate'' after ``coordinate''; and (B) by striking ``section 402(g) of the Social Security Act, and other'' and inserting ``the State program carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education and development''; and (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall carry out'' and all that follows through ``maintain'' and inserting ``shall take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that children maintain''; (ii) by striking ``developmental'' and inserting ``developmental and educational''; and (iii) by striking ``to build'' and inserting ``build''; (B) by striking paragraph (2); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and (D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) (as redesignated in subparagraph (C)), by striking ``the Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.)'' and inserting ``section 642A''. SEC. 111. HEAD START TRANSITION. The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 642 the following: ``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION. ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate with the local educational agency serving the community involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including-- ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program records for each participating child to the school in which such child will enroll; ``(2) establishing channels of communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools (including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to facilitate coordination of programs; ``(3) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start program teachers to discuss the developmental and other needs of individual children; ``(4) organizing and participating in joint transition- related training of school staff and Head Start staff; ``(5) developing and implementing a family outreach and support program in cooperation with entities carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and ``(6) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in enhancing continuity in child development between Head Start services and elementary school classes.''. SEC. 112. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS. The first sentence of section 643 (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended-- (1) by striking ``within 30 days'' and inserting ``within 45 days''; and (2) by striking ``so disapproved'' and inserting ``disapproved (for reasons other than failure of the program to comply with State health, safety, and child care laws, including regulations, applicable to comparable child care programs within the State)''. SEC. 113. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS. (a) Regulations.--Section 645(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``that programs'' and inserting ``that (i) programs''; and (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``, and (ii) a child who has been determined to meet the low-income criteria and who is participating in a Head Start program in a program year shall be considered to continue to meet the low-income criteria through the end of the succeeding program year. In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head Start program meets the low-income criteria, an entity may consider evidence of family income during the 12 months preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the application is submitted, whichever more accurately reflects the needs of the family at the time of application.''. (b) Sliding Fee Scale.--Section 645(b) (42 U.S.C. 9840(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``A Head Start agency that provides a Head Start program with full-working- day services in collaboration with other agencies or entities may collect a family copayment to support extended day services if a copayment is required in conjunction with the collaborative. The copayment charged to families receiving services through the Head Start program shall not exceed the copayment charged to families with similar incomes and circumstances who are receiving the services through participation in a program carried out by another agency or entity.''. (c) Continuous Recruitment and Acceptance of Applications.--Section 645(c) (42 U.S.C. 9840(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Each Head Start program operated in a community shall be permitted to recruit and accept applications for enrollment of children throughout the year.''. SEC. 114. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS. Section 645A (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``early head start'' before ``programs for''; (2) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``for--'' and all that follows through ``programs providing'' and inserting ``for programs providing''; (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and [[Page S9071]] (C) by striking paragraph (2); (3) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting ``(including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities)'' after ``community''; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``3 (or under'' and all that follows and inserting ``3;''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (6) by striking subsection (e); (7) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; (8) in subsection (e) (as redesignated in paragraph (7))-- (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Other''; and (B) by striking ``From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 640(a)(6), after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e),'' and inserting ``From the portion specified in section 640(a)(6),''; and (9) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation.--In order to ensure the successful operation of programs assisted under this section, the Secretary shall use funds from the portion specified in section 640(a)(6) to monitor the operation of such programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such programs. ``(h) Training and Technical Assistance Account.-- ``(1) In general.--Of the amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent shall be reserved to fund a training and technical assistance account. ``(2) Activities.--Funds in the account may be used by the Secretary for purposes including-- ``(A) making grants to, and entering into contracts with, organizations with specialized expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and families and the capacity needed to provide direction and support to a national training and technical assistance system, in order to provide such direction and support; ``(B) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for regional and program staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the administration of the program carried out under this section; ``(C) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for recipients of grants under subsection (a) and support and program planning and implementation assistance for new recipients of such grants; and ``(D) providing professional development and personnel enhancement activities, including the provision of funds to recipients of grants under subsection (a) for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff with an appropriate level of education and experience.''. SEC. 115. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. (a) Full-Working-Day, Full Calendar Year Services.--Section 648(b) (42 U.S.C. 9843(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) ensure the provision of technical assistance to assist Head Start agencies, entities carrying out other child care and early childhood programs, communities, and States in collaborative efforts to provide quality full-working-day, full calendar year services, including technical assistance related to identifying and assisting in resolving barriers to collaboration.''. (b) Allocating Resources.--Section 648(c) (42 U.S.C. 9843(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (4)-- (A) by striking ``developing'' and inserting ``developing and implementing''; and (B) by striking ``a longer day;'' and inserting the following: ``the day, and assist the agencies and programs in expediting the sharing of information about innovative models for providing full-working-day, full calendar year services for children;''; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(9) assist Head Start agencies in-- ``(A) ensuring the school readiness of children; and ``(B) meeting the education performance standards described in this subchapter.''. (c) Services.--Section 648(e) (42 U.S.C. 9843(e)) is amended by inserting ``(including services to promote the acquisition of the English language)'' after ``non-English language background children''. SEC. 116. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. Section 648A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as clauses (ii) through (iv), respectively; (B) by striking ``(A)'' and inserting ``(B)(i)''; and (C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) the following: ``(A) demonstrated competency to perform functions that include-- ``(i) planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness, their understanding and use of oral language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem solving abilities; ``(ii) establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; ``(iii) supporting the social and emotional development of children; and ``(iv) encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families; and''; and (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: ``(2) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant a 180- day waiver of the requirements of paragraph (1)(B), for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that the agency has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit an individual who has a credential, certificate, or degree described in paragraph (1)(B), with respect to an individual who-- ``(A) is enrolled in a program that grants any such credential, certificate, or degree; and ``(B) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency.''. SEC. 117. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION. (a) Comparative Studies.--Section 649(d) (42 U.S.C. 9844(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(8) study the experiences of small, medium, and large States with Head Start programs in order to permit comparisons of children participating in the programs with eligible children who did not participate in the programs, which study-- ``(A) may include the use of a data set that existed prior to the initiation of the study; and ``(B) shall compare the educational achievement, social adaptation, and health status of the participating children and the eligible nonparticipating children. The Secretary shall ensure that an appropriate entity carries out a study described in paragraph (8), and prepares and submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study, not later than September 30, 2002.''. (b) National Research.--Section 649 (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) National Head Start Impact Research.-- ``(1) Expert panel.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an independent panel consisting of experts in program evaluation and research, education, and early childhood programs-- ``(i) to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research (whether conducted as a single assessment or as a series of assessments), described in paragraph (2), within 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998; ``(ii) to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the research; and ``(iii) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the interim and final research reports submitted under paragraph (7). ``(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the panel shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the panel, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the panel. ``(2) General authority.--After reviewing the recommendations of the expert panel, the Secretary shall enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with an organization to conduct independent research that provides a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. The Secretary shall ensure that the organization shall have expertise in program evaluation, and research, education, and early childhood programs. ``(3) Designs and techniques.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research uses rigorous methodological designs and techniques (based on the recommendations of the expert panel), including longitudinal designs, control groups, nationally recognized standardized measures, and random selection and assignment, as appropriate. The Secretary may provide that the research shall be conducted as a single comprehensive assessment or as a group of coordinated assessments designed to provide, when taken together, a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. ``(4) Programs.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research focuses primarily on Head Start programs that operate in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and that do not specifically target special populations. ``(5) Analysis.--The Secretary shall ensure that the organization conducting the research-- ``(A)(i) determines if, overall, the Head Start programs have impacts consistent with their primary goal of increasing the social competence of children, by increasing the everyday effectiveness of the children in dealing with their present environments and future responsibilities, and increasing their school readiness; [[Page S9072]] ``(ii) considers whether the Head Start programs-- ``(I) enhance the growth and development of children in cognitive, emotional, and physical health areas; ``(II) strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children; and ``(III) ensure that children attain school readiness; and ``(iii) examines-- ``(I) the impact of the Head Start programs on increasing access of children to such services as educational, health, and nutritional services, and linking children and families to needed community services; and ``(II) how receipt of services described in subclause (I) enriches the lives of children and families participating in Head Start programs; ``(B) examines the impact of Head Start programs on participants on the date the participants leave Head Start programs, at the end of kindergarten (in public or private school), and at the end of first grade (in public or private school), by examining a variety of factors, including educational achievement, referrals for special education or remedial course work, and absenteeism; ``(C) makes use of random selection from the population of all Head Start programs described in paragraph (4) in selecting programs for inclusion in the research; and ``(D) includes comparisons of individuals who participate in Head Start programs with control groups (including comparison groups) composed of-- ``(i) individuals who participate in other public or private early childhood programs (such as public or private preschool programs and day care); and ``(ii) individuals who do not participate in any other early childhood program. ``(6) Consideration of sources of variation.--In designing the research, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consider addressing possible sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs, including variations in impact related to such factors as-- ``(A) Head Start program operations; ``(B) Head Start program quality; ``(C) the length of time a child attends a Head Start program; ``(D) the age of the child on entering the Head Start program; ``(E) the type of organization (such as a local educational agency or a community action agency) providing services for the Head Start program; ``(F) the number of hours and days of program operation of the Head Start program (such as whether the program is a full-working-day, full calendar year program, a part-day program, or a part-year program); and ``(G) other characteristics and features of the Head Start program (such as geographic location, location in an urban or a rural service area, or participant characteristics), as appropriate. ``(7) Reports.-- ``(A) Submission of interim reports.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary two interim reports on the research. The first interim report shall describe the design of the research, and the rationale for the design, including a description of how potential sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs have been considered in designing the research. The second interim report shall describe the status of the research and preliminary findings of the research, as appropriate. ``(B) Submission of final report.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report containing the findings of the research. ``(C) Transmittal of reports to congress.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall transmit, to the committees described in clause (ii), the first interim report by September 30, 1999, the second interim report by September 30, 2001, and the final report by September 30, 2003. ``(ii) Committees.--The committees referred to in clause (i) are the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate. ``(8) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `impact', used with respect to a Head Start program, means a difference in an outcome for a participant in the program that would not have occurred without the participation in the program. ``(h) Quality Improvement Study.-- ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study regarding the use and effects of use of the quality improvement funds made available under section 640(a)(3) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(3)) since fiscal year 1991. ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress not later than September 2000 a report containing the results of the study, including-- ``(A) the types of activities funded with the quality improvement funds; ``(B) the extent to which the use of the quality improvement funds has accomplished the goals of section 640(a)(3)(B); ``(C) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on teacher training, salaries, benefits, recruitment, and retention; and ``(D) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on the cognitive and social development of children receiving services under this subchapter.''. SEC. 118. REPEAL. The Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.) is repealed. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION. The Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: ``Subtitle B--Community Services Block Grant Program ``SEC. 671. SHORT TITLE. ``This subtitle may be cited as the `Community Services Block Grant Act'. ``SEC. 672. PURPOSES AND GOALS. ``The purposes of this subtitle are-- ``(1) to provide financial assistance to States and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self- sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)); and ``(2) to accomplish the goals described in paragraph (1) through-- ``(A) the strengthening of community capabilities for planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of Federal, State, and other assistance related to the elimination of poverty, so that this assistance can be used in a manner responsive to local needs and conditions; ``(B) the organization of a range of services related to the needs of low-income families and individuals, so that these services may have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the community and may help the families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency; ``(C) the use of innovative and effective community-based approaches to attacking the causes and effects of poverty and of community breakdown; ``(D) the development and implementation of all programs designated to serve low-income communities and groups with the maximum feasible participation of residents of the communities and members of the groups served, so as to best stimulate and take full advantage of capabilities for self- advancement and assure that the programs are otherwise meaningful to the intended beneficiaries of the programs; and ``(E) the broadening of the resource base of programs directed to the elimination of poverty. ``SEC. 673. DEFINITIONS. ``In this subtitle: ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity-- ``(A) that is an eligible entity described in section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and ``(B) that has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 676B. ``(2) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget based on Bureau of the Census data. The Secretary shall revise annually (or at any shorter interval the Secretary determines to be feasible and desirable) the poverty line, which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility in the community services block grant program established under this subtitle. The required revision shall be accomplished by multiplying the official poverty line by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual or other interval immediately preceding the time at which the revision is made. Whenever a State determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant program established under this subtitle, the State may revise the poverty line to not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under this paragraph. ``(3) Private, nonprofit organization.--The term `private, nonprofit organization' includes a faith-based organization, to which the provisions of section 679 shall apply. ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``SEC. 674. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated $625,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to carry out the provisions of this subtitle (other than sections 681 and 682). ``(b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve-- ``(1) \1/2\ of 1 percent for carrying out section 675A (relating to payments for territories); ``(2) not less than \1/2\ of 1 percent and not more than 1 percent for activities authorized in section 678A (relating to training and technical assistance); and ``(3) 9 percent for carrying out section 680 (relating to discretionary activities). ``SEC. 675. ESTABLISHMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. ``The Secretary is authorized to establish a community services block grant program and make grants through the program to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities within the States. ``SEC. 675A. DISTRIBUTION TO TERRITORIES. ``(a) Apportionment.--The Secretary shall apportion the amount reserved under section 674(b)(1) for each fiscal year on the basis of need among Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the [[Page S9073]] Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``(b) Application.--Each jurisdiction to which subsection (a) applies may receive a grant under this subtitle for the amount apportioned under subsection (a) on submitting to the Secretary, and obtaining approval of, an application, containing provisions that describe the programs for which assistance is sought under this subtitle, that is prepared in accordance with, and contains the information described in, section 676. ``SEC. 675B. ALLOTMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO STATES. ``(a) Allotments in General.--The Secretary shall, from the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for each fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservations required in section 674(b), allot to each State (subject to section 677) an amount that bears the same ratio to such remaining amount as the amount received by the State for fiscal year 1981 under section 221 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 bore to the total amount received by all States for fiscal year 1981 under such section, except that no State shall receive less than \1/4\ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for such fiscal year. ``(b) Allotments in Years With Greater Available Funds.-- ``(1) Minimum allotments.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), if the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for a fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservati

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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998
(Senate - July 27, 1998)

Text of this article available as: TXT PDF [Pages S9067-S9087] COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 483, S. 2206. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2206) to amend the Head Start Act, the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the bill? There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998'' or the ``Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. References. Sec. 103. Statement of purpose. Sec. 104. Definitions. Sec. 105. Financial assistance for Head Start programs. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 107. Allotment of funds. Sec. 108. Designation of Head Start agencies. Sec. 109. Quality standards. Sec. 110. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies. Sec. 111. Head Start transition. Sec. 112. Submission of plans to Governors. Sec. 113. Participation in Head Start programs. Sec. 114. Early Head Start programs for families with infants and toddlers. Sec. 115. Technical assistance and training. Sec. 116. Staff qualifications and development. Sec. 117. Research, demonstration, and evaluation. Sec. 118. Repeal. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Sec. 201. Reauthorization. Sec. 202. Conforming amendments. Sec. 203. Repealers. TITLE III--LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE Sec. 301. Authorization. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Natural disasters and other emergencies. Sec. 304. State allotments. Sec. 305. Administration. Sec. 306. Payments to States. Sec. 307. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge option. Sec. 308. Technical assistance, training, and compliance reviews. TITLE IV--ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Findings. [[Page S9068]] Sec. 403. Purposes. Sec. 404. Definitions. Sec. 405. Applications. Sec. 406. Demonstration authority; annual grants. Sec. 407. Reserve Fund. Sec. 408. Eligibility for participation. Sec. 409. Selection of individuals to participate. Sec. 410. Deposits by qualified entities. Sec. 411. Local control over demonstration projects. Sec. 412. Annual progress reports. Sec. 413. Sanctions. Sec. 414. Evaluations. Sec. 415. Treatment of funds. Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Head Start Amendments of 1998''. SEC. 102. REFERENCES. Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). SEC. 103. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The Head Start Act is amended by striking section 636 (42 U.S.C. 9831) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 636. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. ``It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision, to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined to be necessary, based on family needs assessments.''. SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS. Section 637 (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (14) as paragraphs (7) through (16), respectively; (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6) and inserting such paragraph after paragraph (4); (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: ``(3) The term `child with a disability' means-- ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and ``(B) an infant or toddler with a disability, as defined in section 632(5) of such Act. ``(4) The term `delegate agency' means a public, private nonprofit, or for-profit organization or agency to which a grantee has delegated all or part of the responsibility of the grantee for operating a Head Start program. ``(5) The term `family literacy services' means services that-- ``(A) are provided to participants who receive the services on a voluntary basis; ``(B) are of sufficient intensity, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family (such as eliminating or reducing dependence on income-based public assistance); and ``(C) integrate each of-- ``(i) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; ``(ii) training for parents on being partners with their children in learning; ``(iii) parent literacy training, including training that contributes to economic self-sufficiency; and ``(iv) appropriate instruction for children of parents receiving the parent literacy training.''; (4) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an agency to provide services to a child who has not reached the age of compulsory school attendance for more than the number of hours per day permitted by State law (including regulation) for the provision of services to such a child.''; (5) by striking paragraph (14) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)) and inserting the following: ``(14) The term `migrant or seasonal Head Start program' means-- ``(A) with respect to services for migrant farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged in agricultural labor and who have changed their residence from one geographic location to another in the preceding 2-year period; and ``(B) with respect to services for seasonal farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who have not changed their residence to another geographic location in the preceding 2-year period.''; and (6) by adding at the end the following: ``(17) The term `reliable and replicable', used with respect to research, means an objective, valid, scientific study that-- ``(A) includes a rigorously defined sample of subjects, that is sufficiently large and representative to support the general conclusions of the study; ``(B) relies on measurements that meet established standards of reliability and validity; ``(C) is subjected to peer review before the results of the study are published; and ``(D) discovers effective strategies for enhancing the development and skills of children.''. SEC. 105. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS. Section 638(1) (42 U.S.C. 9833(1)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``aid the'' and inserting ``enable the''; and (2) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``and attain school readiness;''. SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Section 639 (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1995 through 1998'' and inserting ``1999 through 2003''; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking all that follows ``shall make available--'' and inserting the following: ``(1) for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out activities authorized under section 642A, not more than $35,000,000 but not less than was made available for such activities for fiscal year 1998; ``(2) not more than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out impact studies under section 649(g); and ``(3) not more than $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, to carry out other research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including longitudinal studies, under section 649.''. SEC. 107. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS. (a) Allotments.--Section 640(a) (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``handicapped children'' and inserting ``children with disabilities''; (ii) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (iii) by striking ``1994'' and inserting ``1998''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``related to the development and implementation of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2).'' and inserting ``carried out under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 641A(d) related to correcting deficiencies and conducting proceedings to terminate the designation of Head Start agencies; and''; (D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) payments for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 649.''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``In determining the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and services provided through such programs, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate entities, including providers of services for seasonal and migrant Head Start programs. The Secretary shall, after taking into consideration the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and such services, ensure that there is an adequate level of such services for the children of eligible migrant farmworkers before approving an increase in the allocation provided for children of eligible seasonal farmworkers. In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue the administrative arrangement responsible for meeting the needs of migrant or seasonal farmworker and Indian children and shall assure that appropriate funding is provided to meet such needs.''; (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``adequate qualified staff'' and inserting ``adequate numbers of qualified staff''; and (II) by inserting ``and children with disabilities'' before ``, when''; (ii) in clause (iv), by inserting before the period the following: ``, and to encourage the staff to continually improve their skills and expertise by informing the staff of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for professional development and by providing for preferences in the awarding of salary increases, in excess of cost-of-living allowances, to staff who obtain additional training or education related to their responsibilities as employees of a Head Start program or to advance their careers within the Head Start program''; (iii) in clause (vi), by striking the period and inserting ``, and are physically accessible to children with disabilities and their parents.''; (iv) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and (v) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified staff that can promote language skills and literacy growth of children and that can provide children with a variety of skills that have been identified, through research that is reliable and replicable, as predictive of later reading achievement.''; (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I)-- (I) by striking ``of staff'' and inserting ``of classroom teachers and other staff''; and (II) by striking ``such staff'' and inserting ``qualified staff, including recruitment and retention pursuant to section 648A(a)''; (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: ``(ii) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph (2)(C) to provide training to classroom teachers and other staff on proven techniques that promote-- ``(I) language and literacy growth; and ``(II) the acquisition of the English language for non- English background children and families.''; (iii) in clause (v), by inserting ``accessibility or'' before ``availability''; (iv) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses (iv), (v), (vi), and (iii), respectively; and (v) by inserting clause (iii) (as redesignated in clause (iv) of this subparagraph) after clause (ii); and (C) in subparagraph (D)(i)(II), by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``1981'' and inserting ``1998''; (4) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (D)''; (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period the following: ``and to encourage [[Page S9069]] Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities involved in State and local planning processes (including the State lead agency administering the financial assistance received under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and the entities providing resource and referral services in the State) in order to better meet the needs of low-income children and families''; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``the appropriate regional office of the Administration for Children and Families and'' before ``agencies''; (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; (iii) in clause (iv)-- (I) by striking ``education, and national service activities,'' and inserting ``education, and community service activities,''; (II) by striking ``and activities'' and inserting ``activities''; and (III) by striking the period and inserting ``, and services for homeless children; and''; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: ``(v) include representatives of the State Head Start Association and local Head Start agencies in unified planning regarding early care and education services at both the State and local levels, including collaborative efforts to plan for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and education services for children.''; (D) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (F); and (E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) Following the award of collaboration grants described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide, from the reserved sums, supplemental funding for collaboration grants-- ``(i) to States that (in consultation with their State Head Start Associations) develop statewide, regional, or local unified plans for early childhood education and child care that include the participation of Head Start agencies; and ``(ii) to States that engage in other innovative collaborative initiatives, including plans for collaborative training and career development initiatives for child care, early childhood education, and Head Start service managers, providers, and staff. ``(E)(i) The Secretary shall-- ``(I) review on an ongoing basis evidence of barriers to effective collaboration between Head Start programs and other Federal child care and early childhood education programs and resources; ``(II) develop initiatives, including providing additional training and technical assistance and making regulatory changes, in necessary cases, to eliminate barriers to the collaboration; and ``(III) develop a mechanism to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between such programs that would be a barrier to service providers, parents, or children related to the provision of unified services and the consolidation of funding for child care services. ``(ii) In the case of a collaborative activity funded under this subchapter and another provision of law providing for Federal child care or early childhood education, the use of equipment and nonconsumable supplies purchased with funds made available under this subchapter or such provision shall not be restricted to children enrolled or otherwise participating in the program carried out under that subchapter or provision, during a period in which the activity is predominantly funded under this subchapter or such provision.''; and (5) in paragraph (6)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``From''; and (B) by striking ``3 percent'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``7.5 percent for fiscal year 1999, 8 percent for fiscal year 2000, 9 percent for fiscal year 2001, 10 percent for fiscal year 2002, and 10 percent for fiscal year 2003, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in subparagraph (B). ``(B)(i) For any fiscal year for which the Secretary determines that the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is not sufficient to permit the Secretary to reserve the portion described in subparagraph (A) without reducing the number of children served by Head Start programs or adversely affecting the quality of Head Start services, relative to the number of children served and the quality of the services during the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary may reduce the percentage of funds required to be reserved for the portion described in subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year for which the determination is made, but not below the percentage required to be so reserved for the preceding fiscal year. ``(ii) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is reduced to a level that requires a lower amount to be made available under this subchapter to Head Start agencies and entities described in section 645A, relative to the amount made available to the agencies and entities for the preceding fiscal year, adjusted as described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall proportionately reduce-- ``(I) the amounts made available to the entities for programs carried out under section 645A; and ``(II) the amounts made available to Head Start agencies for Head Start programs.''. (b) Children With Disabilities.--Section 640(d) (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``1982'' and inserting ``1999''; and (2) by striking ``(as defined in section 602(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)''. (c) Increased Appropriations.--Section 640(g) (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, and the performance history of the applicant in providing services under other Federal programs (other than the program carried out under this subchapter);''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``spoken);'' and inserting ``spoken, and organizations serving children with disabilities);''; (C) in subparagraph (D), by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and the extent to which, and manner in which, the applicant demonstrates the ability to collaborate and participate with other local community providers of child care or preschool services to provide full-working-day, full calendar year services''; (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``program; and'' and inserting ``program or any other early childhood program;''; (E) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (F) by adding at the end the following: ``(G) the extent to which the applicant proposes to foster partnerships with other service providers in a manner that will enhance the resource capacity of the applicant.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), after taking into account the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary may allocate a portion of the remaining additional funds under subsection (a)(2)(A) for the purpose of increasing funds available for the activities described in such subsection.''. (d) Migrant or Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (2) by striking ``migrant families'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal farmworker families''. (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 644(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9839(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``640(a)(3)(C)(v)'' and inserting ``640(a)(3)(C)(vi)''. SEC. 108. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 641 (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State in which the community is located)'' after ``the Secretary''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; (ii) by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (iii) by striking ``unless the Secretary makes a finding'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``unless the Secretary determines that the agency involved fails to meet program and financial management requirements, performance standards described in section 641A(a)(1), or other requirements established by the Secretary.''; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; and (C) by aligning the margins of paragraphs (2) and (3) with the margins of paragraph (1); (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: ``In selecting from among qualified applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head Start program that the Secretary determines has met or exceeded the performance standards and outcome-based performance measures described in section 641A.''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``(at home and in the center involved where practicable)'' after ``activities''; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: ``(7) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of non- English background children and their families, including needs related to the acquisition of the English language; ``(8) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of children with disabilities;''; (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: ``(e) If no agency in the community receives priority designation under subsection (c), and there is no qualified applicant in the community, the Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the community is so designated.''; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(g) If the Secretary determines that a nonprofit agency and a for-profit agency have submitted applications for designation of equivalent quality under subsection (d), the Secretary may give priority to the nonprofit agency.''. SEC. 109. QUALITY STANDARDS. (a) Quality Standards.--Section 641A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including minimum levels of overall accomplishment,'' after ``regulation standards''; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``education,''; (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: ``(B)(i) education performance standards to ensure the school readiness of children participating in a Head Start program, on completion [[Page S9070]] of the Head Start program and prior to entering school; and ``(ii) additional education performance standards to ensure that the children participating in the program, at a minimum-- ``(I) develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness; ``(II) understand and use oral language to communicate needs, wants, and thoughts; ``(III) understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; ``(IV) develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books; and ``(V) in the case of non-English background children, progress toward acquisition of the English language.''; (2) by striking paragraph (2); (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (4) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated in paragraph (3))-- (A) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; and (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)-- (I) by striking ``not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,''; and (II) by striking ``section 651(b)'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subsection; and''; and (ii) in subclause (ii), by striking ``November 2, 1978'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''; and (5) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated in paragraph (3)), by striking ``to an agency (referred to in this subchapter as the ``delegate agency'')'' and inserting ``to a delegate agency''. (b) Performance Measures.--Section 641A(b) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Outcome- Based'' before ``Performance''; (2) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the'' and inserting ``The''; (B) by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; (C) by striking ``(referred'' and inserting ``, and the impact of the services provided through the programs to children and their families (referred''; (D) by striking ``performance measures'' and inserting ``outcome-based performance measures''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``The performance measures shall include the performance standards described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii).''; and (3) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Design'' and inserting ``Characteristics''; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall be designed--'' and inserting ``shall--''; (C) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to assess'' and inserting ``be used to assess the impact of''; (D) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``to''; and (ii) by striking ``and peer review'' and inserting ``, peer review, and program evaluation''; and (E) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``be developed'' before ``for other''. (c) Monitoring.--Section 641A(c)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (C)-- (A) by inserting ``(including children with disabilities)'' after ``eligible children''; and (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) as part of the reviews of the programs, include a review and assessment of program effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the outcome-based performance measures developed pursuant to subsection (b) and with the performance standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).''. (d) Termination.--Section 641A(d) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), to read as follows: ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, require the agency-- ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, if the Secretary finds that the deficiency threatens the health or safety of staff or program participants or poses a threat to the integrity of Federal funds; ``(ii) to correct the deficiency not later than 90 days after the identification of the deficiency if the Secretary finds, in the discretion of the Secretary, that such a 90-day period is reasonable, in light of the nature and magnitude of the deficiency; or ``(iii) in the discretion of the Secretary (taking into consideration the seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required to correct the deficiency), to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and''; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``able to correct a deficiency immediately'' and inserting ``required to correct a deficiency immediately or during a 90-day period under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)''. SEC. 110. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 642 (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) by inserting ``and collaborate'' after ``coordinate''; and (B) by striking ``section 402(g) of the Social Security Act, and other'' and inserting ``the State program carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education and development''; and (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall carry out'' and all that follows through ``maintain'' and inserting ``shall take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that children maintain''; (ii) by striking ``developmental'' and inserting ``developmental and educational''; and (iii) by striking ``to build'' and inserting ``build''; (B) by striking paragraph (2); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and (D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) (as redesignated in subparagraph (C)), by striking ``the Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.)'' and inserting ``section 642A''. SEC. 111. HEAD START TRANSITION. The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 642 the following: ``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION. ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate with the local educational agency serving the community involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including-- ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program records for each participating child to the school in which such child will enroll; ``(2) establishing channels of communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools (including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to facilitate coordination of programs; ``(3) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start program teachers to discuss the developmental and other needs of individual children; ``(4) organizing and participating in joint transition- related training of school staff and Head Start staff; ``(5) developing and implementing a family outreach and support program in cooperation with entities carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and ``(6) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in enhancing continuity in child development between Head Start services and elementary school classes.''. SEC. 112. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS. The first sentence of section 643 (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended-- (1) by striking ``within 30 days'' and inserting ``within 45 days''; and (2) by striking ``so disapproved'' and inserting ``disapproved (for reasons other than failure of the program to comply with State health, safety, and child care laws, including regulations, applicable to comparable child care programs within the State)''. SEC. 113. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS. (a) Regulations.--Section 645(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``that programs'' and inserting ``that (i) programs''; and (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``, and (ii) a child who has been determined to meet the low-income criteria and who is participating in a Head Start program in a program year shall be considered to continue to meet the low-income criteria through the end of the succeeding program year. In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head Start program meets the low-income criteria, an entity may consider evidence of family income during the 12 months preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the application is submitted, whichever more accurately reflects the needs of the family at the time of application.''. (b) Sliding Fee Scale.--Section 645(b) (42 U.S.C. 9840(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``A Head Start agency that provides a Head Start program with full-working- day services in collaboration with other agencies or entities may collect a family copayment to support extended day services if a copayment is required in conjunction with the collaborative. The copayment charged to families receiving services through the Head Start program shall not exceed the copayment charged to families with similar incomes and circumstances who are receiving the services through participation in a program carried out by another agency or entity.''. (c) Continuous Recruitment and Acceptance of Applications.--Section 645(c) (42 U.S.C. 9840(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Each Head Start program operated in a community shall be permitted to recruit and accept applications for enrollment of children throughout the year.''. SEC. 114. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS. Section 645A (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``early head start'' before ``programs for''; (2) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``for--'' and all that follows through ``programs providing'' and inserting ``for programs providing''; (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and [[Page S9071]] (C) by striking paragraph (2); (3) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting ``(including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities)'' after ``community''; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``3 (or under'' and all that follows and inserting ``3;''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (6) by striking subsection (e); (7) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; (8) in subsection (e) (as redesignated in paragraph (7))-- (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Other''; and (B) by striking ``From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 640(a)(6), after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e),'' and inserting ``From the portion specified in section 640(a)(6),''; and (9) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation.--In order to ensure the successful operation of programs assisted under this section, the Secretary shall use funds from the portion specified in section 640(a)(6) to monitor the operation of such programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such programs. ``(h) Training and Technical Assistance Account.-- ``(1) In general.--Of the amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent shall be reserved to fund a training and technical assistance account. ``(2) Activities.--Funds in the account may be used by the Secretary for purposes including-- ``(A) making grants to, and entering into contracts with, organizations with specialized expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and families and the capacity needed to provide direction and support to a national training and technical assistance system, in order to provide such direction and support; ``(B) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for regional and program staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the administration of the program carried out under this section; ``(C) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for recipients of grants under subsection (a) and support and program planning and implementation assistance for new recipients of such grants; and ``(D) providing professional development and personnel enhancement activities, including the provision of funds to recipients of grants under subsection (a) for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff with an appropriate level of education and experience.''. SEC. 115. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. (a) Full-Working-Day, Full Calendar Year Services.--Section 648(b) (42 U.S.C. 9843(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) ensure the provision of technical assistance to assist Head Start agencies, entities carrying out other child care and early childhood programs, communities, and States in collaborative efforts to provide quality full-working-day, full calendar year services, including technical assistance related to identifying and assisting in resolving barriers to collaboration.''. (b) Allocating Resources.--Section 648(c) (42 U.S.C. 9843(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (4)-- (A) by striking ``developing'' and inserting ``developing and implementing''; and (B) by striking ``a longer day;'' and inserting the following: ``the day, and assist the agencies and programs in expediting the sharing of information about innovative models for providing full-working-day, full calendar year services for children;''; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(9) assist Head Start agencies in-- ``(A) ensuring the school readiness of children; and ``(B) meeting the education performance standards described in this subchapter.''. (c) Services.--Section 648(e) (42 U.S.C. 9843(e)) is amended by inserting ``(including services to promote the acquisition of the English language)'' after ``non-English language background children''. SEC. 116. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. Section 648A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as clauses (ii) through (iv), respectively; (B) by striking ``(A)'' and inserting ``(B)(i)''; and (C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) the following: ``(A) demonstrated competency to perform functions that include-- ``(i) planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness, their understanding and use of oral language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem solving abilities; ``(ii) establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; ``(iii) supporting the social and emotional development of children; and ``(iv) encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families; and''; and (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: ``(2) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant a 180- day waiver of the requirements of paragraph (1)(B), for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that the agency has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit an individual who has a credential, certificate, or degree described in paragraph (1)(B), with respect to an individual who-- ``(A) is enrolled in a program that grants any such credential, certificate, or degree; and ``(B) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency.''. SEC. 117. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION. (a) Comparative Studies.--Section 649(d) (42 U.S.C. 9844(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(8) study the experiences of small, medium, and large States with Head Start programs in order to permit comparisons of children participating in the programs with eligible children who did not participate in the programs, which study-- ``(A) may include the use of a data set that existed prior to the initiation of the study; and ``(B) shall compare the educational achievement, social adaptation, and health status of the participating children and the eligible nonparticipating children. The Secretary shall ensure that an appropriate entity carries out a study described in paragraph (8), and prepares and submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study, not later than September 30, 2002.''. (b) National Research.--Section 649 (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) National Head Start Impact Research.-- ``(1) Expert panel.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an independent panel consisting of experts in program evaluation and research, education, and early childhood programs-- ``(i) to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research (whether conducted as a single assessment or as a series of assessments), described in paragraph (2), within 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998; ``(ii) to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the research; and ``(iii) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the interim and final research reports submitted under paragraph (7). ``(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the panel shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the panel, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the panel. ``(2) General authority.--After reviewing the recommendations of the expert panel, the Secretary shall enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with an organization to conduct independent research that provides a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. The Secretary shall ensure that the organization shall have expertise in program evaluation, and research, education, and early childhood programs. ``(3) Designs and techniques.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research uses rigorous methodological designs and techniques (based on the recommendations of the expert panel), including longitudinal designs, control groups, nationally recognized standardized measures, and random selection and assignment, as appropriate. The Secretary may provide that the research shall be conducted as a single comprehensive assessment or as a group of coordinated assessments designed to provide, when taken together, a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. ``(4) Programs.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research focuses primarily on Head Start programs that operate in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and that do not specifically target special populations. ``(5) Analysis.--The Secretary shall ensure that the organization conducting the research-- ``(A)(i) determines if, overall, the Head Start programs have impacts consistent with their primary goal of increasing the social competence of children, by increasing the everyday effectiveness of the children in dealing with their present environments and future responsibilities, and increasing their school readiness; [[Page S9072]] ``(ii) considers whether the Head Start programs-- ``(I) enhance the growth and development of children in cognitive, emotional, and physical health areas; ``(II) strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children; and ``(III) ensure that children attain school readiness; and ``(iii) examines-- ``(I) the impact of the Head Start programs on increasing access of children to such services as educational, health, and nutritional services, and linking children and families to needed community services; and ``(II) how receipt of services described in subclause (I) enriches the lives of children and families participating in Head Start programs; ``(B) examines the impact of Head Start programs on participants on the date the participants leave Head Start programs, at the end of kindergarten (in public or private school), and at the end of first grade (in public or private school), by examining a variety of factors, including educational achievement, referrals for special education or remedial course work, and absenteeism; ``(C) makes use of random selection from the population of all Head Start programs described in paragraph (4) in selecting programs for inclusion in the research; and ``(D) includes comparisons of individuals who participate in Head Start programs with control groups (including comparison groups) composed of-- ``(i) individuals who participate in other public or private early childhood programs (such as public or private preschool programs and day care); and ``(ii) individuals who do not participate in any other early childhood program. ``(6) Consideration of sources of variation.--In designing the research, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consider addressing possible sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs, including variations in impact related to such factors as-- ``(A) Head Start program operations; ``(B) Head Start program quality; ``(C) the length of time a child attends a Head Start program; ``(D) the age of the child on entering the Head Start program; ``(E) the type of organization (such as a local educational agency or a community action agency) providing services for the Head Start program; ``(F) the number of hours and days of program operation of the Head Start program (such as whether the program is a full-working-day, full calendar year program, a part-day program, or a part-year program); and ``(G) other characteristics and features of the Head Start program (such as geographic location, location in an urban or a rural service area, or participant characteristics), as appropriate. ``(7) Reports.-- ``(A) Submission of interim reports.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary two interim reports on the research. The first interim report shall describe the design of the research, and the rationale for the design, including a description of how potential sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs have been considered in designing the research. The second interim report shall describe the status of the research and preliminary findings of the research, as appropriate. ``(B) Submission of final report.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report containing the findings of the research. ``(C) Transmittal of reports to congress.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall transmit, to the committees described in clause (ii), the first interim report by September 30, 1999, the second interim report by September 30, 2001, and the final report by September 30, 2003. ``(ii) Committees.--The committees referred to in clause (i) are the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate. ``(8) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `impact', used with respect to a Head Start program, means a difference in an outcome for a participant in the program that would not have occurred without the participation in the program. ``(h) Quality Improvement Study.-- ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study regarding the use and effects of use of the quality improvement funds made available under section 640(a)(3) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(3)) since fiscal year 1991. ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress not later than September 2000 a report containing the results of the study, including-- ``(A) the types of activities funded with the quality improvement funds; ``(B) the extent to which the use of the quality improvement funds has accomplished the goals of section 640(a)(3)(B); ``(C) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on teacher training, salaries, benefits, recruitment, and retention; and ``(D) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on the cognitive and social development of children receiving services under this subchapter.''. SEC. 118. REPEAL. The Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.) is repealed. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION. The Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: ``Subtitle B--Community Services Block Grant Program ``SEC. 671. SHORT TITLE. ``This subtitle may be cited as the `Community Services Block Grant Act'. ``SEC. 672. PURPOSES AND GOALS. ``The purposes of this subtitle are-- ``(1) to provide financial assistance to States and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self- sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)); and ``(2) to accomplish the goals described in paragraph (1) through-- ``(A) the strengthening of community capabilities for planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of Federal, State, and other assistance related to the elimination of poverty, so that this assistance can be used in a manner responsive to local needs and conditions; ``(B) the organization of a range of services related to the needs of low-income families and individuals, so that these services may have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the community and may help the families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency; ``(C) the use of innovative and effective community-based approaches to attacking the causes and effects of poverty and of community breakdown; ``(D) the development and implementation of all programs designated to serve low-income communities and groups with the maximum feasible participation of residents of the communities and members of the groups served, so as to best stimulate and take full advantage of capabilities for self- advancement and assure that the programs are otherwise meaningful to the intended beneficiaries of the programs; and ``(E) the broadening of the resource base of programs directed to the elimination of poverty. ``SEC. 673. DEFINITIONS. ``In this subtitle: ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity-- ``(A) that is an eligible entity described in section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and ``(B) that has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 676B. ``(2) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget based on Bureau of the Census data. The Secretary shall revise annually (or at any shorter interval the Secretary determines to be feasible and desirable) the poverty line, which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility in the community services block grant program established under this subtitle. The required revision shall be accomplished by multiplying the official poverty line by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual or other interval immediately preceding the time at which the revision is made. Whenever a State determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant program established under this subtitle, the State may revise the poverty line to not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under this paragraph. ``(3) Private, nonprofit organization.--The term `private, nonprofit organization' includes a faith-based organization, to which the provisions of section 679 shall apply. ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``SEC. 674. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated $625,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to carry out the provisions of this subtitle (other than sections 681 and 682). ``(b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve-- ``(1) \1/2\ of 1 percent for carrying out section 675A (relating to payments for territories); ``(2) not less than \1/2\ of 1 percent and not more than 1 percent for activities authorized in section 678A (relating to training and technical assistance); and ``(3) 9 percent for carrying out section 680 (relating to discretionary activities). ``SEC. 675. ESTABLISHMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. ``The Secretary is authorized to establish a community services block grant program and make grants through the program to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities within the States. ``SEC. 675A. DISTRIBUTION TO TERRITORIES. ``(a) Apportionment.--The Secretary shall apportion the amount reserved under section 674(b)(1) for each fiscal year on the basis of need among Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the [[Page S9073]] Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``(b) Application.--Each jurisdiction to which subsection (a) applies may receive a grant under this subtitle for the amount apportioned under subsection (a) on submitting to the Secretary, and obtaining approval of, an application, containing provisions that describe the programs for which assistance is sought under this subtitle, that is prepared in accordance with, and contains the information described in, section 676. ``SEC. 675B. ALLOTMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO STATES. ``(a) Allotments in General.--The Secretary shall, from the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for each fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservations required in section 674(b), allot to each State (subject to section 677) an amount that bears the same ratio to such remaining amount as the amount received by the State for fiscal year 1981 under section 221 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 bore to the total amount received by all States for fiscal year 1981 under such section, except that no State shall receive less than \1/4\ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for such fiscal year. ``(b) Allotments in Years With Greater Available Funds.-- ``(1) Minimum allotments.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), if the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for a fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the

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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998
(Senate - July 27, 1998)

Text of this article available as: TXT PDF [Pages S9067-S9087] COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 483, S. 2206. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2206) to amend the Head Start Act, the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the bill? There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998'' or the ``Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. References. Sec. 103. Statement of purpose. Sec. 104. Definitions. Sec. 105. Financial assistance for Head Start programs. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 107. Allotment of funds. Sec. 108. Designation of Head Start agencies. Sec. 109. Quality standards. Sec. 110. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies. Sec. 111. Head Start transition. Sec. 112. Submission of plans to Governors. Sec. 113. Participation in Head Start programs. Sec. 114. Early Head Start programs for families with infants and toddlers. Sec. 115. Technical assistance and training. Sec. 116. Staff qualifications and development. Sec. 117. Research, demonstration, and evaluation. Sec. 118. Repeal. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Sec. 201. Reauthorization. Sec. 202. Conforming amendments. Sec. 203. Repealers. TITLE III--LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE Sec. 301. Authorization. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Natural disasters and other emergencies. Sec. 304. State allotments. Sec. 305. Administration. Sec. 306. Payments to States. Sec. 307. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge option. Sec. 308. Technical assistance, training, and compliance reviews. TITLE IV--ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Findings. [[Page S9068]] Sec. 403. Purposes. Sec. 404. Definitions. Sec. 405. Applications. Sec. 406. Demonstration authority; annual grants. Sec. 407. Reserve Fund. Sec. 408. Eligibility for participation. Sec. 409. Selection of individuals to participate. Sec. 410. Deposits by qualified entities. Sec. 411. Local control over demonstration projects. Sec. 412. Annual progress reports. Sec. 413. Sanctions. Sec. 414. Evaluations. Sec. 415. Treatment of funds. Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Head Start Amendments of 1998''. SEC. 102. REFERENCES. Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). SEC. 103. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The Head Start Act is amended by striking section 636 (42 U.S.C. 9831) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 636. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. ``It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision, to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined to be necessary, based on family needs assessments.''. SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS. Section 637 (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (14) as paragraphs (7) through (16), respectively; (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6) and inserting such paragraph after paragraph (4); (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: ``(3) The term `child with a disability' means-- ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and ``(B) an infant or toddler with a disability, as defined in section 632(5) of such Act. ``(4) The term `delegate agency' means a public, private nonprofit, or for-profit organization or agency to which a grantee has delegated all or part of the responsibility of the grantee for operating a Head Start program. ``(5) The term `family literacy services' means services that-- ``(A) are provided to participants who receive the services on a voluntary basis; ``(B) are of sufficient intensity, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family (such as eliminating or reducing dependence on income-based public assistance); and ``(C) integrate each of-- ``(i) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; ``(ii) training for parents on being partners with their children in learning; ``(iii) parent literacy training, including training that contributes to economic self-sufficiency; and ``(iv) appropriate instruction for children of parents receiving the parent literacy training.''; (4) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an agency to provide services to a child who has not reached the age of compulsory school attendance for more than the number of hours per day permitted by State law (including regulation) for the provision of services to such a child.''; (5) by striking paragraph (14) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)) and inserting the following: ``(14) The term `migrant or seasonal Head Start program' means-- ``(A) with respect to services for migrant farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged in agricultural labor and who have changed their residence from one geographic location to another in the preceding 2-year period; and ``(B) with respect to services for seasonal farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who have not changed their residence to another geographic location in the preceding 2-year period.''; and (6) by adding at the end the following: ``(17) The term `reliable and replicable', used with respect to research, means an objective, valid, scientific study that-- ``(A) includes a rigorously defined sample of subjects, that is sufficiently large and representative to support the general conclusions of the study; ``(B) relies on measurements that meet established standards of reliability and validity; ``(C) is subjected to peer review before the results of the study are published; and ``(D) discovers effective strategies for enhancing the development and skills of children.''. SEC. 105. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS. Section 638(1) (42 U.S.C. 9833(1)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``aid the'' and inserting ``enable the''; and (2) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``and attain school readiness;''. SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Section 639 (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1995 through 1998'' and inserting ``1999 through 2003''; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking all that follows ``shall make available--'' and inserting the following: ``(1) for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out activities authorized under section 642A, not more than $35,000,000 but not less than was made available for such activities for fiscal year 1998; ``(2) not more than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out impact studies under section 649(g); and ``(3) not more than $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, to carry out other research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including longitudinal studies, under section 649.''. SEC. 107. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS. (a) Allotments.--Section 640(a) (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``handicapped children'' and inserting ``children with disabilities''; (ii) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (iii) by striking ``1994'' and inserting ``1998''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``related to the development and implementation of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2).'' and inserting ``carried out under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 641A(d) related to correcting deficiencies and conducting proceedings to terminate the designation of Head Start agencies; and''; (D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) payments for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 649.''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``In determining the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and services provided through such programs, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate entities, including providers of services for seasonal and migrant Head Start programs. The Secretary shall, after taking into consideration the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and such services, ensure that there is an adequate level of such services for the children of eligible migrant farmworkers before approving an increase in the allocation provided for children of eligible seasonal farmworkers. In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue the administrative arrangement responsible for meeting the needs of migrant or seasonal farmworker and Indian children and shall assure that appropriate funding is provided to meet such needs.''; (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``adequate qualified staff'' and inserting ``adequate numbers of qualified staff''; and (II) by inserting ``and children with disabilities'' before ``, when''; (ii) in clause (iv), by inserting before the period the following: ``, and to encourage the staff to continually improve their skills and expertise by informing the staff of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for professional development and by providing for preferences in the awarding of salary increases, in excess of cost-of-living allowances, to staff who obtain additional training or education related to their responsibilities as employees of a Head Start program or to advance their careers within the Head Start program''; (iii) in clause (vi), by striking the period and inserting ``, and are physically accessible to children with disabilities and their parents.''; (iv) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and (v) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified staff that can promote language skills and literacy growth of children and that can provide children with a variety of skills that have been identified, through research that is reliable and replicable, as predictive of later reading achievement.''; (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I)-- (I) by striking ``of staff'' and inserting ``of classroom teachers and other staff''; and (II) by striking ``such staff'' and inserting ``qualified staff, including recruitment and retention pursuant to section 648A(a)''; (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: ``(ii) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph (2)(C) to provide training to classroom teachers and other staff on proven techniques that promote-- ``(I) language and literacy growth; and ``(II) the acquisition of the English language for non- English background children and families.''; (iii) in clause (v), by inserting ``accessibility or'' before ``availability''; (iv) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses (iv), (v), (vi), and (iii), respectively; and (v) by inserting clause (iii) (as redesignated in clause (iv) of this subparagraph) after clause (ii); and (C) in subparagraph (D)(i)(II), by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``1981'' and inserting ``1998''; (4) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (D)''; (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period the following: ``and to encourage [[Page S9069]] Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities involved in State and local planning processes (including the State lead agency administering the financial assistance received under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and the entities providing resource and referral services in the State) in order to better meet the needs of low-income children and families''; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``the appropriate regional office of the Administration for Children and Families and'' before ``agencies''; (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; (iii) in clause (iv)-- (I) by striking ``education, and national service activities,'' and inserting ``education, and community service activities,''; (II) by striking ``and activities'' and inserting ``activities''; and (III) by striking the period and inserting ``, and services for homeless children; and''; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: ``(v) include representatives of the State Head Start Association and local Head Start agencies in unified planning regarding early care and education services at both the State and local levels, including collaborative efforts to plan for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and education services for children.''; (D) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (F); and (E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) Following the award of collaboration grants described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide, from the reserved sums, supplemental funding for collaboration grants-- ``(i) to States that (in consultation with their State Head Start Associations) develop statewide, regional, or local unified plans for early childhood education and child care that include the participation of Head Start agencies; and ``(ii) to States that engage in other innovative collaborative initiatives, including plans for collaborative training and career development initiatives for child care, early childhood education, and Head Start service managers, providers, and staff. ``(E)(i) The Secretary shall-- ``(I) review on an ongoing basis evidence of barriers to effective collaboration between Head Start programs and other Federal child care and early childhood education programs and resources; ``(II) develop initiatives, including providing additional training and technical assistance and making regulatory changes, in necessary cases, to eliminate barriers to the collaboration; and ``(III) develop a mechanism to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between such programs that would be a barrier to service providers, parents, or children related to the provision of unified services and the consolidation of funding for child care services. ``(ii) In the case of a collaborative activity funded under this subchapter and another provision of law providing for Federal child care or early childhood education, the use of equipment and nonconsumable supplies purchased with funds made available under this subchapter or such provision shall not be restricted to children enrolled or otherwise participating in the program carried out under that subchapter or provision, during a period in which the activity is predominantly funded under this subchapter or such provision.''; and (5) in paragraph (6)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``From''; and (B) by striking ``3 percent'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``7.5 percent for fiscal year 1999, 8 percent for fiscal year 2000, 9 percent for fiscal year 2001, 10 percent for fiscal year 2002, and 10 percent for fiscal year 2003, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in subparagraph (B). ``(B)(i) For any fiscal year for which the Secretary determines that the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is not sufficient to permit the Secretary to reserve the portion described in subparagraph (A) without reducing the number of children served by Head Start programs or adversely affecting the quality of Head Start services, relative to the number of children served and the quality of the services during the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary may reduce the percentage of funds required to be reserved for the portion described in subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year for which the determination is made, but not below the percentage required to be so reserved for the preceding fiscal year. ``(ii) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is reduced to a level that requires a lower amount to be made available under this subchapter to Head Start agencies and entities described in section 645A, relative to the amount made available to the agencies and entities for the preceding fiscal year, adjusted as described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall proportionately reduce-- ``(I) the amounts made available to the entities for programs carried out under section 645A; and ``(II) the amounts made available to Head Start agencies for Head Start programs.''. (b) Children With Disabilities.--Section 640(d) (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``1982'' and inserting ``1999''; and (2) by striking ``(as defined in section 602(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)''. (c) Increased Appropriations.--Section 640(g) (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, and the performance history of the applicant in providing services under other Federal programs (other than the program carried out under this subchapter);''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``spoken);'' and inserting ``spoken, and organizations serving children with disabilities);''; (C) in subparagraph (D), by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and the extent to which, and manner in which, the applicant demonstrates the ability to collaborate and participate with other local community providers of child care or preschool services to provide full-working-day, full calendar year services''; (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``program; and'' and inserting ``program or any other early childhood program;''; (E) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (F) by adding at the end the following: ``(G) the extent to which the applicant proposes to foster partnerships with other service providers in a manner that will enhance the resource capacity of the applicant.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), after taking into account the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary may allocate a portion of the remaining additional funds under subsection (a)(2)(A) for the purpose of increasing funds available for the activities described in such subsection.''. (d) Migrant or Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (2) by striking ``migrant families'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal farmworker families''. (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 644(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9839(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``640(a)(3)(C)(v)'' and inserting ``640(a)(3)(C)(vi)''. SEC. 108. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 641 (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State in which the community is located)'' after ``the Secretary''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; (ii) by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (iii) by striking ``unless the Secretary makes a finding'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``unless the Secretary determines that the agency involved fails to meet program and financial management requirements, performance standards described in section 641A(a)(1), or other requirements established by the Secretary.''; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; and (C) by aligning the margins of paragraphs (2) and (3) with the margins of paragraph (1); (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: ``In selecting from among qualified applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head Start program that the Secretary determines has met or exceeded the performance standards and outcome-based performance measures described in section 641A.''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``(at home and in the center involved where practicable)'' after ``activities''; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: ``(7) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of non- English background children and their families, including needs related to the acquisition of the English language; ``(8) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of children with disabilities;''; (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: ``(e) If no agency in the community receives priority designation under subsection (c), and there is no qualified applicant in the community, the Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the community is so designated.''; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(g) If the Secretary determines that a nonprofit agency and a for-profit agency have submitted applications for designation of equivalent quality under subsection (d), the Secretary may give priority to the nonprofit agency.''. SEC. 109. QUALITY STANDARDS. (a) Quality Standards.--Section 641A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including minimum levels of overall accomplishment,'' after ``regulation standards''; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``education,''; (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: ``(B)(i) education performance standards to ensure the school readiness of children participating in a Head Start program, on completion [[Page S9070]] of the Head Start program and prior to entering school; and ``(ii) additional education performance standards to ensure that the children participating in the program, at a minimum-- ``(I) develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness; ``(II) understand and use oral language to communicate needs, wants, and thoughts; ``(III) understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; ``(IV) develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books; and ``(V) in the case of non-English background children, progress toward acquisition of the English language.''; (2) by striking paragraph (2); (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (4) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated in paragraph (3))-- (A) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; and (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)-- (I) by striking ``not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,''; and (II) by striking ``section 651(b)'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subsection; and''; and (ii) in subclause (ii), by striking ``November 2, 1978'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''; and (5) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated in paragraph (3)), by striking ``to an agency (referred to in this subchapter as the ``delegate agency'')'' and inserting ``to a delegate agency''. (b) Performance Measures.--Section 641A(b) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Outcome- Based'' before ``Performance''; (2) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the'' and inserting ``The''; (B) by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; (C) by striking ``(referred'' and inserting ``, and the impact of the services provided through the programs to children and their families (referred''; (D) by striking ``performance measures'' and inserting ``outcome-based performance measures''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``The performance measures shall include the performance standards described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii).''; and (3) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Design'' and inserting ``Characteristics''; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall be designed--'' and inserting ``shall--''; (C) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to assess'' and inserting ``be used to assess the impact of''; (D) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``to''; and (ii) by striking ``and peer review'' and inserting ``, peer review, and program evaluation''; and (E) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``be developed'' before ``for other''. (c) Monitoring.--Section 641A(c)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (C)-- (A) by inserting ``(including children with disabilities)'' after ``eligible children''; and (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) as part of the reviews of the programs, include a review and assessment of program effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the outcome-based performance measures developed pursuant to subsection (b) and with the performance standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).''. (d) Termination.--Section 641A(d) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), to read as follows: ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, require the agency-- ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, if the Secretary finds that the deficiency threatens the health or safety of staff or program participants or poses a threat to the integrity of Federal funds; ``(ii) to correct the deficiency not later than 90 days after the identification of the deficiency if the Secretary finds, in the discretion of the Secretary, that such a 90-day period is reasonable, in light of the nature and magnitude of the deficiency; or ``(iii) in the discretion of the Secretary (taking into consideration the seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required to correct the deficiency), to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and''; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``able to correct a deficiency immediately'' and inserting ``required to correct a deficiency immediately or during a 90-day period under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)''. SEC. 110. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 642 (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) by inserting ``and collaborate'' after ``coordinate''; and (B) by striking ``section 402(g) of the Social Security Act, and other'' and inserting ``the State program carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education and development''; and (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall carry out'' and all that follows through ``maintain'' and inserting ``shall take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that children maintain''; (ii) by striking ``developmental'' and inserting ``developmental and educational''; and (iii) by striking ``to build'' and inserting ``build''; (B) by striking paragraph (2); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and (D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) (as redesignated in subparagraph (C)), by striking ``the Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.)'' and inserting ``section 642A''. SEC. 111. HEAD START TRANSITION. The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 642 the following: ``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION. ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate with the local educational agency serving the community involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including-- ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program records for each participating child to the school in which such child will enroll; ``(2) establishing channels of communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools (including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to facilitate coordination of programs; ``(3) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start program teachers to discuss the developmental and other needs of individual children; ``(4) organizing and participating in joint transition- related training of school staff and Head Start staff; ``(5) developing and implementing a family outreach and support program in cooperation with entities carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and ``(6) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in enhancing continuity in child development between Head Start services and elementary school classes.''. SEC. 112. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS. The first sentence of section 643 (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended-- (1) by striking ``within 30 days'' and inserting ``within 45 days''; and (2) by striking ``so disapproved'' and inserting ``disapproved (for reasons other than failure of the program to comply with State health, safety, and child care laws, including regulations, applicable to comparable child care programs within the State)''. SEC. 113. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS. (a) Regulations.--Section 645(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``that programs'' and inserting ``that (i) programs''; and (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``, and (ii) a child who has been determined to meet the low-income criteria and who is participating in a Head Start program in a program year shall be considered to continue to meet the low-income criteria through the end of the succeeding program year. In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head Start program meets the low-income criteria, an entity may consider evidence of family income during the 12 months preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the application is submitted, whichever more accurately reflects the needs of the family at the time of application.''. (b) Sliding Fee Scale.--Section 645(b) (42 U.S.C. 9840(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``A Head Start agency that provides a Head Start program with full-working- day services in collaboration with other agencies or entities may collect a family copayment to support extended day services if a copayment is required in conjunction with the collaborative. The copayment charged to families receiving services through the Head Start program shall not exceed the copayment charged to families with similar incomes and circumstances who are receiving the services through participation in a program carried out by another agency or entity.''. (c) Continuous Recruitment and Acceptance of Applications.--Section 645(c) (42 U.S.C. 9840(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Each Head Start program operated in a community shall be permitted to recruit and accept applications for enrollment of children throughout the year.''. SEC. 114. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS. Section 645A (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``early head start'' before ``programs for''; (2) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``for--'' and all that follows through ``programs providing'' and inserting ``for programs providing''; (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and [[Page S9071]] (C) by striking paragraph (2); (3) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting ``(including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities)'' after ``community''; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``3 (or under'' and all that follows and inserting ``3;''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (6) by striking subsection (e); (7) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; (8) in subsection (e) (as redesignated in paragraph (7))-- (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Other''; and (B) by striking ``From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 640(a)(6), after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e),'' and inserting ``From the portion specified in section 640(a)(6),''; and (9) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation.--In order to ensure the successful operation of programs assisted under this section, the Secretary shall use funds from the portion specified in section 640(a)(6) to monitor the operation of such programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such programs. ``(h) Training and Technical Assistance Account.-- ``(1) In general.--Of the amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent shall be reserved to fund a training and technical assistance account. ``(2) Activities.--Funds in the account may be used by the Secretary for purposes including-- ``(A) making grants to, and entering into contracts with, organizations with specialized expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and families and the capacity needed to provide direction and support to a national training and technical assistance system, in order to provide such direction and support; ``(B) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for regional and program staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the administration of the program carried out under this section; ``(C) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for recipients of grants under subsection (a) and support and program planning and implementation assistance for new recipients of such grants; and ``(D) providing professional development and personnel enhancement activities, including the provision of funds to recipients of grants under subsection (a) for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff with an appropriate level of education and experience.''. SEC. 115. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. (a) Full-Working-Day, Full Calendar Year Services.--Section 648(b) (42 U.S.C. 9843(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) ensure the provision of technical assistance to assist Head Start agencies, entities carrying out other child care and early childhood programs, communities, and States in collaborative efforts to provide quality full-working-day, full calendar year services, including technical assistance related to identifying and assisting in resolving barriers to collaboration.''. (b) Allocating Resources.--Section 648(c) (42 U.S.C. 9843(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (4)-- (A) by striking ``developing'' and inserting ``developing and implementing''; and (B) by striking ``a longer day;'' and inserting the following: ``the day, and assist the agencies and programs in expediting the sharing of information about innovative models for providing full-working-day, full calendar year services for children;''; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(9) assist Head Start agencies in-- ``(A) ensuring the school readiness of children; and ``(B) meeting the education performance standards described in this subchapter.''. (c) Services.--Section 648(e) (42 U.S.C. 9843(e)) is amended by inserting ``(including services to promote the acquisition of the English language)'' after ``non-English language background children''. SEC. 116. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. Section 648A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as clauses (ii) through (iv), respectively; (B) by striking ``(A)'' and inserting ``(B)(i)''; and (C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) the following: ``(A) demonstrated competency to perform functions that include-- ``(i) planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness, their understanding and use of oral language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem solving abilities; ``(ii) establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; ``(iii) supporting the social and emotional development of children; and ``(iv) encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families; and''; and (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: ``(2) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant a 180- day waiver of the requirements of paragraph (1)(B), for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that the agency has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit an individual who has a credential, certificate, or degree described in paragraph (1)(B), with respect to an individual who-- ``(A) is enrolled in a program that grants any such credential, certificate, or degree; and ``(B) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency.''. SEC. 117. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION. (a) Comparative Studies.--Section 649(d) (42 U.S.C. 9844(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(8) study the experiences of small, medium, and large States with Head Start programs in order to permit comparisons of children participating in the programs with eligible children who did not participate in the programs, which study-- ``(A) may include the use of a data set that existed prior to the initiation of the study; and ``(B) shall compare the educational achievement, social adaptation, and health status of the participating children and the eligible nonparticipating children. The Secretary shall ensure that an appropriate entity carries out a study described in paragraph (8), and prepares and submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study, not later than September 30, 2002.''. (b) National Research.--Section 649 (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) National Head Start Impact Research.-- ``(1) Expert panel.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an independent panel consisting of experts in program evaluation and research, education, and early childhood programs-- ``(i) to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research (whether conducted as a single assessment or as a series of assessments), described in paragraph (2), within 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998; ``(ii) to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the research; and ``(iii) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the interim and final research reports submitted under paragraph (7). ``(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the panel shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the panel, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the panel. ``(2) General authority.--After reviewing the recommendations of the expert panel, the Secretary shall enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with an organization to conduct independent research that provides a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. The Secretary shall ensure that the organization shall have expertise in program evaluation, and research, education, and early childhood programs. ``(3) Designs and techniques.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research uses rigorous methodological designs and techniques (based on the recommendations of the expert panel), including longitudinal designs, control groups, nationally recognized standardized measures, and random selection and assignment, as appropriate. The Secretary may provide that the research shall be conducted as a single comprehensive assessment or as a group of coordinated assessments designed to provide, when taken together, a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. ``(4) Programs.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research focuses primarily on Head Start programs that operate in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and that do not specifically target special populations. ``(5) Analysis.--The Secretary shall ensure that the organization conducting the research-- ``(A)(i) determines if, overall, the Head Start programs have impacts consistent with their primary goal of increasing the social competence of children, by increasing the everyday effectiveness of the children in dealing with their present environments and future responsibilities, and increasing their school readiness; [[Page S9072]] ``(ii) considers whether the Head Start programs-- ``(I) enhance the growth and development of children in cognitive, emotional, and physical health areas; ``(II) strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children; and ``(III) ensure that children attain school readiness; and ``(iii) examines-- ``(I) the impact of the Head Start programs on increasing access of children to such services as educational, health, and nutritional services, and linking children and families to needed community services; and ``(II) how receipt of services described in subclause (I) enriches the lives of children and families participating in Head Start programs; ``(B) examines the impact of Head Start programs on participants on the date the participants leave Head Start programs, at the end of kindergarten (in public or private school), and at the end of first grade (in public or private school), by examining a variety of factors, including educational achievement, referrals for special education or remedial course work, and absenteeism; ``(C) makes use of random selection from the population of all Head Start programs described in paragraph (4) in selecting programs for inclusion in the research; and ``(D) includes comparisons of individuals who participate in Head Start programs with control groups (including comparison groups) composed of-- ``(i) individuals who participate in other public or private early childhood programs (such as public or private preschool programs and day care); and ``(ii) individuals who do not participate in any other early childhood program. ``(6) Consideration of sources of variation.--In designing the research, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consider addressing possible sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs, including variations in impact related to such factors as-- ``(A) Head Start program operations; ``(B) Head Start program quality; ``(C) the length of time a child attends a Head Start program; ``(D) the age of the child on entering the Head Start program; ``(E) the type of organization (such as a local educational agency or a community action agency) providing services for the Head Start program; ``(F) the number of hours and days of program operation of the Head Start program (such as whether the program is a full-working-day, full calendar year program, a part-day program, or a part-year program); and ``(G) other characteristics and features of the Head Start program (such as geographic location, location in an urban or a rural service area, or participant characteristics), as appropriate. ``(7) Reports.-- ``(A) Submission of interim reports.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary two interim reports on the research. The first interim report shall describe the design of the research, and the rationale for the design, including a description of how potential sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs have been considered in designing the research. The second interim report shall describe the status of the research and preliminary findings of the research, as appropriate. ``(B) Submission of final report.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report containing the findings of the research. ``(C) Transmittal of reports to congress.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall transmit, to the committees described in clause (ii), the first interim report by September 30, 1999, the second interim report by September 30, 2001, and the final report by September 30, 2003. ``(ii) Committees.--The committees referred to in clause (i) are the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate. ``(8) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `impact', used with respect to a Head Start program, means a difference in an outcome for a participant in the program that would not have occurred without the participation in the program. ``(h) Quality Improvement Study.-- ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study regarding the use and effects of use of the quality improvement funds made available under section 640(a)(3) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(3)) since fiscal year 1991. ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress not later than September 2000 a report containing the results of the study, including-- ``(A) the types of activities funded with the quality improvement funds; ``(B) the extent to which the use of the quality improvement funds has accomplished the goals of section 640(a)(3)(B); ``(C) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on teacher training, salaries, benefits, recruitment, and retention; and ``(D) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on the cognitive and social development of children receiving services under this subchapter.''. SEC. 118. REPEAL. The Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.) is repealed. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION. The Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: ``Subtitle B--Community Services Block Grant Program ``SEC. 671. SHORT TITLE. ``This subtitle may be cited as the `Community Services Block Grant Act'. ``SEC. 672. PURPOSES AND GOALS. ``The purposes of this subtitle are-- ``(1) to provide financial assistance to States and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self- sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)); and ``(2) to accomplish the goals described in paragraph (1) through-- ``(A) the strengthening of community capabilities for planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of Federal, State, and other assistance related to the elimination of poverty, so that this assistance can be used in a manner responsive to local needs and conditions; ``(B) the organization of a range of services related to the needs of low-income families and individuals, so that these services may have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the community and may help the families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency; ``(C) the use of innovative and effective community-based approaches to attacking the causes and effects of poverty and of community breakdown; ``(D) the development and implementation of all programs designated to serve low-income communities and groups with the maximum feasible participation of residents of the communities and members of the groups served, so as to best stimulate and take full advantage of capabilities for self- advancement and assure that the programs are otherwise meaningful to the intended beneficiaries of the programs; and ``(E) the broadening of the resource base of programs directed to the elimination of poverty. ``SEC. 673. DEFINITIONS. ``In this subtitle: ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity-- ``(A) that is an eligible entity described in section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and ``(B) that has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 676B. ``(2) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget based on Bureau of the Census data. The Secretary shall revise annually (or at any shorter interval the Secretary determines to be feasible and desirable) the poverty line, which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility in the community services block grant program established under this subtitle. The required revision shall be accomplished by multiplying the official poverty line by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual or other interval immediately preceding the time at which the revision is made. Whenever a State determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant program established under this subtitle, the State may revise the poverty line to not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under this paragraph. ``(3) Private, nonprofit organization.--The term `private, nonprofit organization' includes a faith-based organization, to which the provisions of section 679 shall apply. ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``SEC. 674. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated $625,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to carry out the provisions of this subtitle (other than sections 681 and 682). ``(b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve-- ``(1) \1/2\ of 1 percent for carrying out section 675A (relating to payments for territories); ``(2) not less than \1/2\ of 1 percent and not more than 1 percent for activities authorized in section 678A (relating to training and technical assistance); and ``(3) 9 percent for carrying out section 680 (relating to discretionary activities). ``SEC. 675. ESTABLISHMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. ``The Secretary is authorized to establish a community services block grant program and make grants through the program to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities within the States. ``SEC. 675A. DISTRIBUTION TO TERRITORIES. ``(a) Apportionment.--The Secretary shall apportion the amount reserved under section 674(b)(1) for each fiscal year on the basis of need among Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the [[Page S9073]] Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``(b) Application.--Each jurisdiction to which subsection (a) applies may receive a grant under this subtitle for the amount apportioned under subsection (a) on submitting to the Secretary, and obtaining approval of, an application, containing provisions that describe the programs for which assistance is sought under this subtitle, that is prepared in accordance with, and contains the information described in, section 676. ``SEC. 675B. ALLOTMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO STATES. ``(a) Allotments in General.--The Secretary shall, from the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for each fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservations required in section 674(b), allot to each State (subject to section 677) an amount that bears the same ratio to such remaining amount as the amount received by the State for fiscal year 1981 under section 221 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 bore to the total amount received by all States for fiscal year 1981 under such section, except that no State shall receive less than \1/4\ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for such fiscal year. ``(b) Allotments in Years With Greater Available Funds.-- ``(1) Minimum allotments.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), if the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for a fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservati

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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998
(Senate - July 27, 1998)

Text of this article available as: TXT PDF [Pages S9067-S9087] COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 483, S. 2206. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2206) to amend the Head Start Act, the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the bill? There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998'' or the ``Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. References. Sec. 103. Statement of purpose. Sec. 104. Definitions. Sec. 105. Financial assistance for Head Start programs. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 107. Allotment of funds. Sec. 108. Designation of Head Start agencies. Sec. 109. Quality standards. Sec. 110. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies. Sec. 111. Head Start transition. Sec. 112. Submission of plans to Governors. Sec. 113. Participation in Head Start programs. Sec. 114. Early Head Start programs for families with infants and toddlers. Sec. 115. Technical assistance and training. Sec. 116. Staff qualifications and development. Sec. 117. Research, demonstration, and evaluation. Sec. 118. Repeal. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Sec. 201. Reauthorization. Sec. 202. Conforming amendments. Sec. 203. Repealers. TITLE III--LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE Sec. 301. Authorization. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Natural disasters and other emergencies. Sec. 304. State allotments. Sec. 305. Administration. Sec. 306. Payments to States. Sec. 307. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge option. Sec. 308. Technical assistance, training, and compliance reviews. TITLE IV--ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Findings. [[Page S9068]] Sec. 403. Purposes. Sec. 404. Definitions. Sec. 405. Applications. Sec. 406. Demonstration authority; annual grants. Sec. 407. Reserve Fund. Sec. 408. Eligibility for participation. Sec. 409. Selection of individuals to participate. Sec. 410. Deposits by qualified entities. Sec. 411. Local control over demonstration projects. Sec. 412. Annual progress reports. Sec. 413. Sanctions. Sec. 414. Evaluations. Sec. 415. Treatment of funds. Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--HEAD START PROGRAMS SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Head Start Amendments of 1998''. SEC. 102. REFERENCES. Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). SEC. 103. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The Head Start Act is amended by striking section 636 (42 U.S.C. 9831) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 636. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. ``It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision, to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined to be necessary, based on family needs assessments.''. SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS. Section 637 (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (14) as paragraphs (7) through (16), respectively; (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6) and inserting such paragraph after paragraph (4); (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: ``(3) The term `child with a disability' means-- ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and ``(B) an infant or toddler with a disability, as defined in section 632(5) of such Act. ``(4) The term `delegate agency' means a public, private nonprofit, or for-profit organization or agency to which a grantee has delegated all or part of the responsibility of the grantee for operating a Head Start program. ``(5) The term `family literacy services' means services that-- ``(A) are provided to participants who receive the services on a voluntary basis; ``(B) are of sufficient intensity, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family (such as eliminating or reducing dependence on income-based public assistance); and ``(C) integrate each of-- ``(i) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; ``(ii) training for parents on being partners with their children in learning; ``(iii) parent literacy training, including training that contributes to economic self-sufficiency; and ``(iv) appropriate instruction for children of parents receiving the parent literacy training.''; (4) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an agency to provide services to a child who has not reached the age of compulsory school attendance for more than the number of hours per day permitted by State law (including regulation) for the provision of services to such a child.''; (5) by striking paragraph (14) (as redesignated in paragraph (1)) and inserting the following: ``(14) The term `migrant or seasonal Head Start program' means-- ``(A) with respect to services for migrant farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged in agricultural labor and who have changed their residence from one geographic location to another in the preceding 2-year period; and ``(B) with respect to services for seasonal farmworkers, a Head Start program that serves families who are engaged primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who have not changed their residence to another geographic location in the preceding 2-year period.''; and (6) by adding at the end the following: ``(17) The term `reliable and replicable', used with respect to research, means an objective, valid, scientific study that-- ``(A) includes a rigorously defined sample of subjects, that is sufficiently large and representative to support the general conclusions of the study; ``(B) relies on measurements that meet established standards of reliability and validity; ``(C) is subjected to peer review before the results of the study are published; and ``(D) discovers effective strategies for enhancing the development and skills of children.''. SEC. 105. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS. Section 638(1) (42 U.S.C. 9833(1)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``aid the'' and inserting ``enable the''; and (2) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``and attain school readiness;''. SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Section 639 (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1995 through 1998'' and inserting ``1999 through 2003''; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking all that follows ``shall make available--'' and inserting the following: ``(1) for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out activities authorized under section 642A, not more than $35,000,000 but not less than was made available for such activities for fiscal year 1998; ``(2) not more than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out impact studies under section 649(g); and ``(3) not more than $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, to carry out other research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including longitudinal studies, under section 649.''. SEC. 107. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS. (a) Allotments.--Section 640(a) (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``handicapped children'' and inserting ``children with disabilities''; (ii) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (iii) by striking ``1994'' and inserting ``1998''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``related to the development and implementation of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2).'' and inserting ``carried out under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 641A(d) related to correcting deficiencies and conducting proceedings to terminate the designation of Head Start agencies; and''; (D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) payments for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 649.''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``In determining the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and services provided through such programs, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate entities, including providers of services for seasonal and migrant Head Start programs. The Secretary shall, after taking into consideration the need and demand for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and such services, ensure that there is an adequate level of such services for the children of eligible migrant farmworkers before approving an increase in the allocation provided for children of eligible seasonal farmworkers. In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue the administrative arrangement responsible for meeting the needs of migrant or seasonal farmworker and Indian children and shall assure that appropriate funding is provided to meet such needs.''; (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``adequate qualified staff'' and inserting ``adequate numbers of qualified staff''; and (II) by inserting ``and children with disabilities'' before ``, when''; (ii) in clause (iv), by inserting before the period the following: ``, and to encourage the staff to continually improve their skills and expertise by informing the staff of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for professional development and by providing for preferences in the awarding of salary increases, in excess of cost-of-living allowances, to staff who obtain additional training or education related to their responsibilities as employees of a Head Start program or to advance their careers within the Head Start program''; (iii) in clause (vi), by striking the period and inserting ``, and are physically accessible to children with disabilities and their parents.''; (iv) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and (v) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified staff that can promote language skills and literacy growth of children and that can provide children with a variety of skills that have been identified, through research that is reliable and replicable, as predictive of later reading achievement.''; (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I)-- (I) by striking ``of staff'' and inserting ``of classroom teachers and other staff''; and (II) by striking ``such staff'' and inserting ``qualified staff, including recruitment and retention pursuant to section 648A(a)''; (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: ``(ii) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph (2)(C) to provide training to classroom teachers and other staff on proven techniques that promote-- ``(I) language and literacy growth; and ``(II) the acquisition of the English language for non- English background children and families.''; (iii) in clause (v), by inserting ``accessibility or'' before ``availability''; (iv) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses (iv), (v), (vi), and (iii), respectively; and (v) by inserting clause (iii) (as redesignated in clause (iv) of this subparagraph) after clause (ii); and (C) in subparagraph (D)(i)(II), by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``1981'' and inserting ``1998''; (4) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (D)''; (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period the following: ``and to encourage [[Page S9069]] Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities involved in State and local planning processes (including the State lead agency administering the financial assistance received under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and the entities providing resource and referral services in the State) in order to better meet the needs of low-income children and families''; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``the appropriate regional office of the Administration for Children and Families and'' before ``agencies''; (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; (iii) in clause (iv)-- (I) by striking ``education, and national service activities,'' and inserting ``education, and community service activities,''; (II) by striking ``and activities'' and inserting ``activities''; and (III) by striking the period and inserting ``, and services for homeless children; and''; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: ``(v) include representatives of the State Head Start Association and local Head Start agencies in unified planning regarding early care and education services at both the State and local levels, including collaborative efforts to plan for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and education services for children.''; (D) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (F); and (E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) Following the award of collaboration grants described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide, from the reserved sums, supplemental funding for collaboration grants-- ``(i) to States that (in consultation with their State Head Start Associations) develop statewide, regional, or local unified plans for early childhood education and child care that include the participation of Head Start agencies; and ``(ii) to States that engage in other innovative collaborative initiatives, including plans for collaborative training and career development initiatives for child care, early childhood education, and Head Start service managers, providers, and staff. ``(E)(i) The Secretary shall-- ``(I) review on an ongoing basis evidence of barriers to effective collaboration between Head Start programs and other Federal child care and early childhood education programs and resources; ``(II) develop initiatives, including providing additional training and technical assistance and making regulatory changes, in necessary cases, to eliminate barriers to the collaboration; and ``(III) develop a mechanism to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between such programs that would be a barrier to service providers, parents, or children related to the provision of unified services and the consolidation of funding for child care services. ``(ii) In the case of a collaborative activity funded under this subchapter and another provision of law providing for Federal child care or early childhood education, the use of equipment and nonconsumable supplies purchased with funds made available under this subchapter or such provision shall not be restricted to children enrolled or otherwise participating in the program carried out under that subchapter or provision, during a period in which the activity is predominantly funded under this subchapter or such provision.''; and (5) in paragraph (6)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``From''; and (B) by striking ``3 percent'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``7.5 percent for fiscal year 1999, 8 percent for fiscal year 2000, 9 percent for fiscal year 2001, 10 percent for fiscal year 2002, and 10 percent for fiscal year 2003, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in subparagraph (B). ``(B)(i) For any fiscal year for which the Secretary determines that the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is not sufficient to permit the Secretary to reserve the portion described in subparagraph (A) without reducing the number of children served by Head Start programs or adversely affecting the quality of Head Start services, relative to the number of children served and the quality of the services during the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary may reduce the percentage of funds required to be reserved for the portion described in subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year for which the determination is made, but not below the percentage required to be so reserved for the preceding fiscal year. ``(ii) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 639(a) is reduced to a level that requires a lower amount to be made available under this subchapter to Head Start agencies and entities described in section 645A, relative to the amount made available to the agencies and entities for the preceding fiscal year, adjusted as described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall proportionately reduce-- ``(I) the amounts made available to the entities for programs carried out under section 645A; and ``(II) the amounts made available to Head Start agencies for Head Start programs.''. (b) Children With Disabilities.--Section 640(d) (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``1982'' and inserting ``1999''; and (2) by striking ``(as defined in section 602(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)''. (c) Increased Appropriations.--Section 640(g) (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, and the performance history of the applicant in providing services under other Federal programs (other than the program carried out under this subchapter);''; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``spoken);'' and inserting ``spoken, and organizations serving children with disabilities);''; (C) in subparagraph (D), by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and the extent to which, and manner in which, the applicant demonstrates the ability to collaborate and participate with other local community providers of child care or preschool services to provide full-working-day, full calendar year services''; (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``program; and'' and inserting ``program or any other early childhood program;''; (E) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (F) by adding at the end the following: ``(G) the extent to which the applicant proposes to foster partnerships with other service providers in a manner that will enhance the resource capacity of the applicant.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), after taking into account the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary may allocate a portion of the remaining additional funds under subsection (a)(2)(A) for the purpose of increasing funds available for the activities described in such subsection.''. (d) Migrant or Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``migrant Head Start programs'' each place it appears and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head Start programs''; and (2) by striking ``migrant families'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal farmworker families''. (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 644(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9839(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``640(a)(3)(C)(v)'' and inserting ``640(a)(3)(C)(vi)''. SEC. 108. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 641 (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State in which the community is located)'' after ``the Secretary''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; (ii) by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; and (iii) by striking ``unless the Secretary makes a finding'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``unless the Secretary determines that the agency involved fails to meet program and financial management requirements, performance standards described in section 641A(a)(1), or other requirements established by the Secretary.''; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``shall give priority'' and inserting ``shall, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State, give priority''; and (C) by aligning the margins of paragraphs (2) and (3) with the margins of paragraph (1); (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: ``In selecting from among qualified applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head Start program that the Secretary determines has met or exceeded the performance standards and outcome-based performance measures described in section 641A.''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``(at home and in the center involved where practicable)'' after ``activities''; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: ``(7) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of non- English background children and their families, including needs related to the acquisition of the English language; ``(8) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of children with disabilities;''; (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: ``(e) If no agency in the community receives priority designation under subsection (c), and there is no qualified applicant in the community, the Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the community is so designated.''; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(g) If the Secretary determines that a nonprofit agency and a for-profit agency have submitted applications for designation of equivalent quality under subsection (d), the Secretary may give priority to the nonprofit agency.''. SEC. 109. QUALITY STANDARDS. (a) Quality Standards.--Section 641A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including minimum levels of overall accomplishment,'' after ``regulation standards''; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``education,''; (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: ``(B)(i) education performance standards to ensure the school readiness of children participating in a Head Start program, on completion [[Page S9070]] of the Head Start program and prior to entering school; and ``(ii) additional education performance standards to ensure that the children participating in the program, at a minimum-- ``(I) develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness; ``(II) understand and use oral language to communicate needs, wants, and thoughts; ``(III) understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; ``(IV) develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books; and ``(V) in the case of non-English background children, progress toward acquisition of the English language.''; (2) by striking paragraph (2); (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (4) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated in paragraph (3))-- (A) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; and (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in clause (i)-- (I) by striking ``not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,''; and (II) by striking ``section 651(b)'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subsection; and''; and (ii) in subclause (ii), by striking ``November 2, 1978'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''; and (5) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated in paragraph (3)), by striking ``to an agency (referred to in this subchapter as the ``delegate agency'')'' and inserting ``to a delegate agency''. (b) Performance Measures.--Section 641A(b) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Outcome- Based'' before ``Performance''; (2) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the'' and inserting ``The''; (B) by striking ``child'' and inserting ``early childhood education and''; (C) by striking ``(referred'' and inserting ``, and the impact of the services provided through the programs to children and their families (referred''; (D) by striking ``performance measures'' and inserting ``outcome-based performance measures''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``The performance measures shall include the performance standards described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii).''; and (3) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Design'' and inserting ``Characteristics''; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall be designed--'' and inserting ``shall--''; (C) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to assess'' and inserting ``be used to assess the impact of''; (D) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``to''; and (ii) by striking ``and peer review'' and inserting ``, peer review, and program evaluation''; and (E) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``be developed'' before ``for other''. (c) Monitoring.--Section 641A(c)(2) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (C)-- (A) by inserting ``(including children with disabilities)'' after ``eligible children''; and (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) as part of the reviews of the programs, include a review and assessment of program effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the outcome-based performance measures developed pursuant to subsection (b) and with the performance standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).''. (d) Termination.--Section 641A(d) (42 U.S.C. 9836a(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), to read as follows: ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, require the agency-- ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, if the Secretary finds that the deficiency threatens the health or safety of staff or program participants or poses a threat to the integrity of Federal funds; ``(ii) to correct the deficiency not later than 90 days after the identification of the deficiency if the Secretary finds, in the discretion of the Secretary, that such a 90-day period is reasonable, in light of the nature and magnitude of the deficiency; or ``(iii) in the discretion of the Secretary (taking into consideration the seriousness of the deficiency and the time reasonably required to correct the deficiency), to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) concerning a quality improvement plan; and''; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``able to correct a deficiency immediately'' and inserting ``required to correct a deficiency immediately or during a 90-day period under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)''. SEC. 110. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES. Section 642 (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or for-profit'' after ``nonprofit''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) by inserting ``and collaborate'' after ``coordinate''; and (B) by striking ``section 402(g) of the Social Security Act, and other'' and inserting ``the State program carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education and development''; and (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``shall carry out'' and all that follows through ``maintain'' and inserting ``shall take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that children maintain''; (ii) by striking ``developmental'' and inserting ``developmental and educational''; and (iii) by striking ``to build'' and inserting ``build''; (B) by striking paragraph (2); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and (D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) (as redesignated in subparagraph (C)), by striking ``the Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.)'' and inserting ``section 642A''. SEC. 111. HEAD START TRANSITION. The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 642 the following: ``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION. ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate with the local educational agency serving the community involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including-- ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program records for each participating child to the school in which such child will enroll; ``(2) establishing channels of communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools (including teachers, social workers, and health staff) to facilitate coordination of programs; ``(3) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start program teachers to discuss the developmental and other needs of individual children; ``(4) organizing and participating in joint transition- related training of school staff and Head Start staff; ``(5) developing and implementing a family outreach and support program in cooperation with entities carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and ``(6) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in enhancing continuity in child development between Head Start services and elementary school classes.''. SEC. 112. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS. The first sentence of section 643 (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended-- (1) by striking ``within 30 days'' and inserting ``within 45 days''; and (2) by striking ``so disapproved'' and inserting ``disapproved (for reasons other than failure of the program to comply with State health, safety, and child care laws, including regulations, applicable to comparable child care programs within the State)''. SEC. 113. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS. (a) Regulations.--Section 645(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``that programs'' and inserting ``that (i) programs''; and (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``, and (ii) a child who has been determined to meet the low-income criteria and who is participating in a Head Start program in a program year shall be considered to continue to meet the low-income criteria through the end of the succeeding program year. In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head Start program meets the low-income criteria, an entity may consider evidence of family income during the 12 months preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the application is submitted, whichever more accurately reflects the needs of the family at the time of application.''. (b) Sliding Fee Scale.--Section 645(b) (42 U.S.C. 9840(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``A Head Start agency that provides a Head Start program with full-working- day services in collaboration with other agencies or entities may collect a family copayment to support extended day services if a copayment is required in conjunction with the collaborative. The copayment charged to families receiving services through the Head Start program shall not exceed the copayment charged to families with similar incomes and circumstances who are receiving the services through participation in a program carried out by another agency or entity.''. (c) Continuous Recruitment and Acceptance of Applications.--Section 645(c) (42 U.S.C. 9840(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Each Head Start program operated in a community shall be permitted to recruit and accept applications for enrollment of children throughout the year.''. SEC. 114. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS. Section 645A (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``early head start'' before ``programs for''; (2) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``for--'' and all that follows through ``programs providing'' and inserting ``for programs providing''; (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and [[Page S9071]] (C) by striking paragraph (2); (3) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting ``(including programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities)'' after ``community''; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``3 (or under'' and all that follows and inserting ``3;''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (6) by striking subsection (e); (7) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; (8) in subsection (e) (as redesignated in paragraph (7))-- (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Other''; and (B) by striking ``From the balance remaining of the portion specified in section 640(a)(6), after making grants to the eligible entities specified in subsection (e),'' and inserting ``From the portion specified in section 640(a)(6),''; and (9) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation.--In order to ensure the successful operation of programs assisted under this section, the Secretary shall use funds from the portion specified in section 640(a)(6) to monitor the operation of such programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide training and technical assistance tailored to the particular needs of such programs. ``(h) Training and Technical Assistance Account.-- ``(1) In general.--Of the amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent shall be reserved to fund a training and technical assistance account. ``(2) Activities.--Funds in the account may be used by the Secretary for purposes including-- ``(A) making grants to, and entering into contracts with, organizations with specialized expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and families and the capacity needed to provide direction and support to a national training and technical assistance system, in order to provide such direction and support; ``(B) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for regional and program staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the administration of the program carried out under this section; ``(C) providing ongoing training and technical assistance for recipients of grants under subsection (a) and support and program planning and implementation assistance for new recipients of such grants; and ``(D) providing professional development and personnel enhancement activities, including the provision of funds to recipients of grants under subsection (a) for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff with an appropriate level of education and experience.''. SEC. 115. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. (a) Full-Working-Day, Full Calendar Year Services.--Section 648(b) (42 U.S.C. 9843(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) ensure the provision of technical assistance to assist Head Start agencies, entities carrying out other child care and early childhood programs, communities, and States in collaborative efforts to provide quality full-working-day, full calendar year services, including technical assistance related to identifying and assisting in resolving barriers to collaboration.''. (b) Allocating Resources.--Section 648(c) (42 U.S.C. 9843(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (4)-- (A) by striking ``developing'' and inserting ``developing and implementing''; and (B) by striking ``a longer day;'' and inserting the following: ``the day, and assist the agencies and programs in expediting the sharing of information about innovative models for providing full-working-day, full calendar year services for children;''; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(9) assist Head Start agencies in-- ``(A) ensuring the school readiness of children; and ``(B) meeting the education performance standards described in this subchapter.''. (c) Services.--Section 648(e) (42 U.S.C. 9843(e)) is amended by inserting ``(including services to promote the acquisition of the English language)'' after ``non-English language background children''. SEC. 116. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. Section 648A(a) (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as clauses (ii) through (iv), respectively; (B) by striking ``(A)'' and inserting ``(B)(i)''; and (C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) the following: ``(A) demonstrated competency to perform functions that include-- ``(i) planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness, their understanding and use of oral language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem solving abilities; ``(ii) establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; ``(iii) supporting the social and emotional development of children; and ``(iv) encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families; and''; and (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: ``(2) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant a 180- day waiver of the requirements of paragraph (1)(B), for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that the agency has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit an individual who has a credential, certificate, or degree described in paragraph (1)(B), with respect to an individual who-- ``(A) is enrolled in a program that grants any such credential, certificate, or degree; and ``(B) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency.''. SEC. 117. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION. (a) Comparative Studies.--Section 649(d) (42 U.S.C. 9844(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(8) study the experiences of small, medium, and large States with Head Start programs in order to permit comparisons of children participating in the programs with eligible children who did not participate in the programs, which study-- ``(A) may include the use of a data set that existed prior to the initiation of the study; and ``(B) shall compare the educational achievement, social adaptation, and health status of the participating children and the eligible nonparticipating children. The Secretary shall ensure that an appropriate entity carries out a study described in paragraph (8), and prepares and submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study, not later than September 30, 2002.''. (b) National Research.--Section 649 (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) National Head Start Impact Research.-- ``(1) Expert panel.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an independent panel consisting of experts in program evaluation and research, education, and early childhood programs-- ``(i) to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research (whether conducted as a single assessment or as a series of assessments), described in paragraph (2), within 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998; ``(ii) to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the research; and ``(iii) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the interim and final research reports submitted under paragraph (7). ``(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the panel shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the panel, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the panel. ``(2) General authority.--After reviewing the recommendations of the expert panel, the Secretary shall enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with an organization to conduct independent research that provides a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. The Secretary shall ensure that the organization shall have expertise in program evaluation, and research, education, and early childhood programs. ``(3) Designs and techniques.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research uses rigorous methodological designs and techniques (based on the recommendations of the expert panel), including longitudinal designs, control groups, nationally recognized standardized measures, and random selection and assignment, as appropriate. The Secretary may provide that the research shall be conducted as a single comprehensive assessment or as a group of coordinated assessments designed to provide, when taken together, a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. ``(4) Programs.--The Secretary shall ensure that the research focuses primarily on Head Start programs that operate in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and that do not specifically target special populations. ``(5) Analysis.--The Secretary shall ensure that the organization conducting the research-- ``(A)(i) determines if, overall, the Head Start programs have impacts consistent with their primary goal of increasing the social competence of children, by increasing the everyday effectiveness of the children in dealing with their present environments and future responsibilities, and increasing their school readiness; [[Page S9072]] ``(ii) considers whether the Head Start programs-- ``(I) enhance the growth and development of children in cognitive, emotional, and physical health areas; ``(II) strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children; and ``(III) ensure that children attain school readiness; and ``(iii) examines-- ``(I) the impact of the Head Start programs on increasing access of children to such services as educational, health, and nutritional services, and linking children and families to needed community services; and ``(II) how receipt of services described in subclause (I) enriches the lives of children and families participating in Head Start programs; ``(B) examines the impact of Head Start programs on participants on the date the participants leave Head Start programs, at the end of kindergarten (in public or private school), and at the end of first grade (in public or private school), by examining a variety of factors, including educational achievement, referrals for special education or remedial course work, and absenteeism; ``(C) makes use of random selection from the population of all Head Start programs described in paragraph (4) in selecting programs for inclusion in the research; and ``(D) includes comparisons of individuals who participate in Head Start programs with control groups (including comparison groups) composed of-- ``(i) individuals who participate in other public or private early childhood programs (such as public or private preschool programs and day care); and ``(ii) individuals who do not participate in any other early childhood program. ``(6) Consideration of sources of variation.--In designing the research, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consider addressing possible sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs, including variations in impact related to such factors as-- ``(A) Head Start program operations; ``(B) Head Start program quality; ``(C) the length of time a child attends a Head Start program; ``(D) the age of the child on entering the Head Start program; ``(E) the type of organization (such as a local educational agency or a community action agency) providing services for the Head Start program; ``(F) the number of hours and days of program operation of the Head Start program (such as whether the program is a full-working-day, full calendar year program, a part-day program, or a part-year program); and ``(G) other characteristics and features of the Head Start program (such as geographic location, location in an urban or a rural service area, or participant characteristics), as appropriate. ``(7) Reports.-- ``(A) Submission of interim reports.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary two interim reports on the research. The first interim report shall describe the design of the research, and the rationale for the design, including a description of how potential sources of variation in impact of Head Start programs have been considered in designing the research. The second interim report shall describe the status of the research and preliminary findings of the research, as appropriate. ``(B) Submission of final report.--The organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report containing the findings of the research. ``(C) Transmittal of reports to congress.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall transmit, to the committees described in clause (ii), the first interim report by September 30, 1999, the second interim report by September 30, 2001, and the final report by September 30, 2003. ``(ii) Committees.--The committees referred to in clause (i) are the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate. ``(8) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `impact', used with respect to a Head Start program, means a difference in an outcome for a participant in the program that would not have occurred without the participation in the program. ``(h) Quality Improvement Study.-- ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study regarding the use and effects of use of the quality improvement funds made available under section 640(a)(3) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(3)) since fiscal year 1991. ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress not later than September 2000 a report containing the results of the study, including-- ``(A) the types of activities funded with the quality improvement funds; ``(B) the extent to which the use of the quality improvement funds has accomplished the goals of section 640(a)(3)(B); ``(C) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on teacher training, salaries, benefits, recruitment, and retention; and ``(D) the effect of use of the quality improvement funds on the cognitive and social development of children receiving services under this subchapter.''. SEC. 118. REPEAL. The Head Start Transition Project Act (42 U.S.C. 9855 et seq.) is repealed. TITLE II--COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION. The Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: ``Subtitle B--Community Services Block Grant Program ``SEC. 671. SHORT TITLE. ``This subtitle may be cited as the `Community Services Block Grant Act'. ``SEC. 672. PURPOSES AND GOALS. ``The purposes of this subtitle are-- ``(1) to provide financial assistance to States and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self- sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)); and ``(2) to accomplish the goals described in paragraph (1) through-- ``(A) the strengthening of community capabilities for planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of Federal, State, and other assistance related to the elimination of poverty, so that this assistance can be used in a manner responsive to local needs and conditions; ``(B) the organization of a range of services related to the needs of low-income families and individuals, so that these services may have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the community and may help the families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency; ``(C) the use of innovative and effective community-based approaches to attacking the causes and effects of poverty and of community breakdown; ``(D) the development and implementation of all programs designated to serve low-income communities and groups with the maximum feasible participation of residents of the communities and members of the groups served, so as to best stimulate and take full advantage of capabilities for self- advancement and assure that the programs are otherwise meaningful to the intended beneficiaries of the programs; and ``(E) the broadening of the resource base of programs directed to the elimination of poverty. ``SEC. 673. DEFINITIONS. ``In this subtitle: ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity-- ``(A) that is an eligible entity described in section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and ``(B) that has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 676B. ``(2) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget based on Bureau of the Census data. The Secretary shall revise annually (or at any shorter interval the Secretary determines to be feasible and desirable) the poverty line, which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility in the community services block grant program established under this subtitle. The required revision shall be accomplished by multiplying the official poverty line by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual or other interval immediately preceding the time at which the revision is made. Whenever a State determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant program established under this subtitle, the State may revise the poverty line to not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under this paragraph. ``(3) Private, nonprofit organization.--The term `private, nonprofit organization' includes a faith-based organization, to which the provisions of section 679 shall apply. ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``SEC. 674. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated $625,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to carry out the provisions of this subtitle (other than sections 681 and 682). ``(b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve-- ``(1) \1/2\ of 1 percent for carrying out section 675A (relating to payments for territories); ``(2) not less than \1/2\ of 1 percent and not more than 1 percent for activities authorized in section 678A (relating to training and technical assistance); and ``(3) 9 percent for carrying out section 680 (relating to discretionary activities). ``SEC. 675. ESTABLISHMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. ``The Secretary is authorized to establish a community services block grant program and make grants through the program to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities within the States. ``SEC. 675A. DISTRIBUTION TO TERRITORIES. ``(a) Apportionment.--The Secretary shall apportion the amount reserved under section 674(b)(1) for each fiscal year on the basis of need among Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the [[Page S9073]] Northern Mariana Islands, and the combined Freely Associated States. ``(b) Application.--Each jurisdiction to which subsection (a) applies may receive a grant under this subtitle for the amount apportioned under subsection (a) on submitting to the Secretary, and obtaining approval of, an application, containing provisions that describe the programs for which assistance is sought under this subtitle, that is prepared in accordance with, and contains the information described in, section 676. ``SEC. 675B. ALLOTMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO STATES. ``(a) Allotments in General.--The Secretary shall, from the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for each fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the reservations required in section 674(b), allot to each State (subject to section 677) an amount that bears the same ratio to such remaining amount as the amount received by the State for fiscal year 1981 under section 221 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 bore to the total amount received by all States for fiscal year 1981 under such section, except that no State shall receive less than \1/4\ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for such fiscal year. ``(b) Allotments in Years With Greater Available Funds.-- ``(1) Minimum allotments.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), if the amount appropriated under section 674(a) for a fiscal year that remains after the Secretary makes the