Questions and Responses Regarding the Designation Renewal System Changes
Find responses to questions anticipated from the public and the grantee community about Designation Renewal System (DRS) changes.
Designation Renewal System
The Designation Renewal System (DRS) holds Head Start agencies accountable for delivering high-quality and comprehensive services to the children and families they serve, and meeting program and financial requirements. The DRS establishes seven conditions to determine whether programs qualify for continued Head Start funding for five years without competing for those funds with other local agencies. Open competitions are held in communities in which a program meets one or more specified conditions. In this case, interested agencies may apply to provide Head Start services in that area through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Any agencies that do not meet one of the seven DRS conditions become eligible to receive a new five-year grant noncompetitively. The DRS was established in 2011 and revised in 2020.
Designation Renewal System Changes in 2020
The DRS Revisions in 2020 ensure the conditions for competitive designation target grantees with lower performance or systemic problems. The changes also support for grantees to continuously improve the quality of teacher-child interactions.
Designation Renewal System Overview
Explore this brief overview of the Designation Renewal System (DRS) background and conditions.
Use of Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) in Head Start Programs
This resource will help you understand how CLASS® can be used for professional development and will explain how it is used within OHS for program monitoring purposes.
Data on Improving Quality in Head Start Programs
Four reports provide evidence that, since the last reauthorization, quality in Head Start has increased across the country..
Awardees Resulting from DRS Cohort 4
Awardees Resulting from Designation Renewal System (DRS) Cohort 4
Awards Made for DRS Cohort 4 Service Areas