The length of time it takes to gather information for the community assessment and then to write the report will vary depending on the size and complexity of the Head Start grantee, the community at large, and the service area. The community assessment timeline must include enough time for a report to be written. In addition, because the community assessment provides the evidence and rationale for a variety of programming decisions, the process must be timed to enable the findings to be used to inform the grant application. For example, proposed changes to program options or calendar, locations, or recruitment criteria that are presented in the grant application must be guided by information previously gathered and analyzed in the community assessment report.

Time will also be needed throughout the five-year grant period for an annual update, which helps programs monitor their progress or modify their strategic plans.