2026 Head Start San Joaquin Annual Report

2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT

HEAD START

SAN JOAQUIN

LIFELONG SUCCESS STARTS WITH HEAD START Head Start San Joaquin (HSSJ) is a program of the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), a regional agency that provides educational leadership, resources, and customized services to assist school districts.

The SJCOE promotes student achievement and accountability, serves San Joaquin County’s most vulnerable students, and strives to create an environment in which every child, regardless of circumstances, has an opportunity for a quality education.

HSSJ is part of the SJCOE Education Early Education and Support department.

In partnership with local school districts and nonprofit organizations, HSSJ provides Early Head Start and Head Start services to 1,583 children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families in San Joaquin County.

Educational partners include Lodi Unified School District, Stockton Unified School District, San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council, and Community Action Partnership of Kern.

Head Start San Joaquin (HSSJ) and its educational partners are committed to preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

This comprehensive approach to school readiness recognizes that children, families, and schools all play essential roles in ensuring that children are ready to learn, families are equipped to support their child’s development, and schools are prepared to meet the needs of every child. To achieve this, HSSJ and its educational partners use researchbased curricula designed to foster both social-emotional and academic development.

To track developmental progress, HSSJ uses a comprehensive assessment tool called the Desired Results Developmental Profile (2015) (DRDP) to measure progress in five learning areas. The assessment is conducted in natural learning environments through educator observations, family

input, and samples of the children’s work. This approach ensures an authentic and inclusive process for all children, including those with disabilities and dual language learners.

Children are assessed three times per year. Data collected through the DRDP is used to inform instruction, guide personalized learning strategies, and strengthen overall school readiness efforts for each child. Educators use DRDP data in partnership with families to provide strategies and resources that support learning both in the classroom and at home.

Additionally, aggregated child assessment data are used to evaluate progress toward school readiness goals and to inform program-wide decision-making. It also helps leaders identify priorities for coaching, training, and professional development that emphasize intentional teaching practices and continuous improvement in child outcomes.

SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE FIVE Head Start (HS) programs primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children. Early Head Start (EHS) programs serve pregnant women and children from infancy to age 2.

HEAD START 1,390

EARLY HS 199 2

1,486

237

88%

91%

67%

68%

NUMBER OF HS FAMILIES SERVED

NUMBER OF HS CHILDREN SERVED

PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE HS CHILDREN SERVED

AVERAGE MONTHLY ENROLLMENT OF HS CHILDREN As a percentage of funded enrollment.

NUMBER OF EHS FAMILIES SERVED

NUMBER OF EHS CHILDREN SERVED

PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE EHS CHILDREN SERVED

AVERAGE MONTHLY ENROLLMENT OF EHS CHILDREN As a percentage of funded enrollment.

84%

83%

75%

47%

PERCENTAGE OF HS CHILDREN THAT RECEIVED MEDICAL EXAMS

PERCENTAGE OF HS CHILDREN THAT RECEIVED DENTAL EXAMS

024 PRO 2025 GRA DATA M *

PERCENTAGE OF EHS CHILDREN THAT RECEIVED MEDICAL EXAMS

PERCENTAGE OF EHS CHILDREN THAT RECEIVED DENTAL EXAMS

ENGAGED FAMILIES HELP CHILDREN SUCCEED Empowered parents play an essential role in shaping the direction of Head Start San Joaquin (HSSJ) and enhancing the program’s overall effectiveness.

HEAD START IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Head Start is known for its preschool program, but it also provides comprehensive services to support children’s health, nutrition, mental health, and overall development.

The program also partners with the whole family through goal-setting and connections to community resources.

The services provided through Head Start San Joaquin are:

EDUCATION

Grounded in the belief that parents and guardians are a child’s primary caregivers, teachers, and advocates, HSSJ equips families with equitable opportunities and resources to deepen their understanding of child development and empower them to support and advocate for their child.

HEALTH DEVELOPMENT

Personalized support includes connecting families with a dedicated family service worker to assist in setting and achieving goals, and providing essential resources and referrals.

DISABILITY SERVICES

HSSJ prioritizes family engagement because every family has a unique perspective and valuable contributions to make. Families are offered numerous opportunities for involvement, from volunteering in the classroom to participating in governance. Family can also serve in leadership roles and influence policy decisions by joining Parent Advisory Committees and representing partner agencies on the HSSJ Parent Policy Council. * Data from the 2025–2026 program year is currently being collected. As a result, this report reflects program data from the 2024–2025 year, which represents the most recent complete reporting period.

BEHAVIOR SCREENING

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NUTRITION TRANSITION SERVICES SOCIAL SERVICES FAMILY GOAL-SETTING

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY EARLY LEARNING AND CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT

The Early Learning and Care Needs Assessment Report: 2025-2030 takes a close look at services for children birth to age 5 and their families in San Joaquin County. The assessment found that the county’s early learning and childcare (ELC) system offers children, families, and educators valued supports but faces critical gaps in access, workforce stability, and funding. Coordinated action is needed to expand opportunity parity, strengthen collaboration, and ensure every child enters school healthy and ready to learn. The following is a summary of the report.

FOCUS AREA 1: ACCESS, CAPACITY, & RESOURCES

Top challenges accessing early learning and childcare programs: KNOWING 41% NOT WHAT’S AVAILABLE ABLE TO 35% NOT AFFORD FULL COST

33%

LONG WAITLISTS/ NO AVAILABILITY

6 CHILD CARE CENTERS PER 1,000 CHILDREN AGED 0-5

ELC PROGRAMMING &

of parents/caregivers reported satisfaction with the ELC services their child(ren)receive

51% EARLY HEAD START 87% HEAD START families received services to promote family outcomes in 2023-2024

48% PRESCHOOL TEACHERS

Read the full Early Learning and Care Needs Assessment Report.

22% WHITE 14% ASIAN

47%

59,564

of parents/caregivers reported it was at least somewhat difficult to pay household expenses in the past year

children aged 0-5

19%

child poverty rate

An increasing percentage of Head Start families and children are experiencing homelessness.

2025-2026 PROGRAM BUDGET As part of the Head Start Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services conducts federal monitoring reviews for all Head Start programs on a cyclical basis. Head Start San Joaquin did not receive a review in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The annual independent audit conducted by Christy White Associates Firm noted no major findings or deficiencies in internal controls related to Head Start San Joaquin.

FUNDS RECEIVED

FOCUS AREA 3: WORKFORCE Most challenging position to fill reported by providers:

Top three racial/ ethnic groups of children aged 0-5:

51% HISPANIC

FOCUS AREA 2: SUPPORT SERVICES

93%

PROFILE OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY CHILDREN

Biggest barrier to hiring & retaining staff reported by providers:

80%

ABILITY TO PROVIDE COMPETITIVE WAGES

Read the San Joaquin County Comprehensive Early Learning and Care Strategic Plan.

The strategic plan was developed to address the opportunities identified in the needs assessment.

LEARN MORE HEAD START SAN JOAQUIN 2001 ARCH-AIRPORT ROAD STOCKTON, CA 95206 (209) 468-4933 WWW.SJCOE.ORG/SCHOOLS/HEAD-START

PUBLIC

$28,552,053

One-Time $0 Early Head Start $3,097,233 Head Start $25,454,820 Non-Federal Share $9,969,059

PRIVATE

$0

Program Income $0

Annualized Budget

Budget

Actual

Actual %

Salaries

$3,941,001

$3,722,664

13%

Fringe Benefits

$1,966,662

$1,804,851

6%

Out-of-Area Travel

$63,406

$42,032

< 1%

Equipment

$1,932

$1,849

< 1%

Supplies

$55,552

$98,861

< 1%

Contracts

$20,974,703

$18,298,167

76%

Construction/Renovation

$-

$-

< 1%

Other

$879,054

$893,349

2%

Indirect

$669,743

$604,616

2%

Total

$28,552,053

$25,466,389

Includes EHS, HS, and One-Time funding.