In 1997, Wyoming was awarded a Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children and Families. The Wyoming Head Start State Collaboration Office (WHSSCO) is located in the University of Wyoming, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities.

Head Start State Collaboration Office grants create visible partnerships at the state level to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships that are intended to assist in building early childhood systems. The goal of these partnerships is to enhance access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children, encourage widespread collaboration between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives, augmenting Head Start's capacity to be a partner in state initiatives on behalf of children and their families, and facilitate the involvement of Head Start in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and other low-income families.

Head Start State Collaboration Office funds are used to facilitate a more coordinated approach to planning and service delivery in the following eight priority areas:

• Health care - promote timely access to services
• Welfare - encourage collaboration with existing systems
• Childcare - improve quality, availability, and affordability
• Education - enhance educational outcomes and expand partnerships within the state public school system
• Community service activities - collaborate with existing service activities
• Family literacy services - strengthen existing services
• Children with disabilities - increase opportunities

• Services to homeless families - support access

Wyoming Head Start State Collaboration Office Staff

Laurie Westlake: Principal Investigator

Rick Hufnagel: Wyoming Head Start State Collaboration Office Director