GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SEC. 114. GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Section 648 (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended— (1) in the section heading to read as follows: “technical assistance and training”; (2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking “Head Start programs, including” and inserting “Head Start programs, in accordance with the process, and the provisions for allocating resources, set forth in subsections (b) and (c). The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through grants or other arrangements,”; (3) (A) by redesignating the final sentence of subsection (a), as amended by paragraph (2), as subsection (e); (B) by transferring such subsection to the end of the section; and (C) by indenting such subsection and aligning the margins of such subsection with the margins of subsection (d); (4) by striking subsections (b) and (c); (5) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections: “(b) The process for determining the technical assistance and training activities to be carried out under this section shall— “(1) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies and programs relating to improving program quality and to program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent feasible; and “(2) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining input from the individuals and agencies carrying out Head Start programs. “(c) In allocating resources for technical assistance and training under this section, the Secretary shall— “(1) give priority consideration to activities to correct program and management deficiencies identified through reviews pursuant to section 641A(c) (including the provision of assistance to local programs in the development of quality improvement plans under section 641A(d)(2)); “(2) address the training and career development needs of classroom staff (including instruction for providing services to children with disabilities) and nonclassroom staff, including home visitors and other staff working directly with families, including training relating to increasing parent involvement 108 STAT. 643and services designed to increase family literacy and improve parenting skills; “(3) assist Head Start agencies and programs in conducting and participating in communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment; “(4) assist Head Start agencies and programs in developing full-working-day and full-calendar-year programs where community need is clearly identified and making the transition to such programs, with particular attention to involving parents and programming for children throughout a longer day; “(5) assist Head Start agencies in better serving the needs of families with very young children; “(6) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the development of sound management practices, including financial management procedures; “(7) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate facilities for Head Start programs; and “(8) assist Head Start agencies in developing innovative program models, including mobile and home-based programs.”; and (6) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following: “Special consideration shall be given to entities that have demonstrated effectiveness in educational programming for preschool children that includes components for parental involvement, care provider training, and developmentally appropriate related activities.”.