Data on Health and Well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Other Native Americans, Data Catalog

Head Start Program Information Report

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Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/Administration for Children and Families (ACF)/Office of Head Start
Description: The Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) collects comprehensive data on the services, staff, children and families served by more than 2,700 Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) programs nationwide (including American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Programs.) All programs (grantees and delegates) are required to submit a PIR for each year in which they provide services to children and families. The PIR is the primary source of programmatic data for the Head Start community, their partners, Congress, and the general public.

Staffing, enrollment, and service trend information is collected through the PIR and compiled each year for use at federal, regional, and local levels. The PIR enrollment report describes the program options provided by Head Start and Early Head Start programs and provides demographic information on the children and pregnant women served. Additional information collected in the PIR enrollment report includes funded and actual enrollment, eligibility, and turnover of enrollees. The PIR family services report provides information on Head Start and Early Head Start family characteristics, including the number and types of families served, employment status, education level, and the types of services the programs provide in response to family needs.
Relevant Policy Issues: Educational Opportunities and Child/Family Well-being.
Data Type(s): Program reporting data
Unit of Analysis: The unit of analysis is the individual Head Start programs. A program identifier variable allows for separate counts to be generated for AI/AN Head Start Programs.
Identification of AI/AN/NA: Head Start programs report the number of participants per race category based on enrollment records. The instructions for reporting race are as follows:

Report the total number of children (and pregnant women in EHS programs) by race:

  • American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN). A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North, South, or Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.
  • Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent.
  • Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NH/PI). A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
  • White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
  • Biracial or Multi-Racial. A person of two or more races.
  • Other. A person reporting a race other than those listed above.
  • Unspecified. Race not reported and/or unknown.
AI/AN/NA Population in Data Set: Enrollment for Program Year 2004-2005 (reported by 2,695 programs):
Total enrollment: 1,065,225
AI/AN: 55,733 (of these individuals, 21,161 are serviced by AI/AN Head Start Programs)
NH/PI: 8,448
Geographic Scope: Geographic areas are identified by the location of the Head Start program. The PIR provides summary data at the national, regional, state, city and zip code levels.
Date or Frequency: The Head Start PIR is compiled on an annual basis. The most recent available data are for the 2004-2005 program year.
Data Collection Methodology: Head Start programs can submit data to the PIR through an online reporting application or using the desktop PIR reporting software.
Participation: Mandatory
Authorization: According to federal mandates, all Head Start and Early Head Start programs are required to complete a PIR on an annual basis. Head Start Performance Standards are under the authority for the final rule in sections 641(a) and (d), 642(b) and (d), 644(a) and (c), and 645(h)(2) of the Head Start Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9801 et. Seq.).
Strengths: Data sets contain a large number of AI/AN/NA respondents. Researchers can disaggregate the data to look at children served by AI/AN Head Start programs. Data address the key policy issues of education and child and family well-being. There are multiple years of data available.
Limitations: Data are only available at the aggregate level.
Access Requirements and Use Restrictions: A request to use the data should be emailed to the Office of Head Start, where it will be reviewed and approved before data access is granted. There is no charge.
Contact Information: Office of Head Start
Office of Program Management and Operations
370 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, D.C. 20447
(202) 205-8396

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