DCFS HeadStart Referral System

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) HeadStart Referral System is a system that allows DCFS social workers to make nearly instantaneous referrals to HeadStart programs throughout Los Angeles County. Prior to the institution of this process for referrals, and subsequent development of the system, social workers had to undertake a fairly significant amount of time to locate and refer a family to a local HeadStart provider. Using a completely automated system of referral, there is now the ability to make a referral to HeadStart and other early education providers in about 30 seconds with a quick phone call consent from the caregiver. By more easily enrolling families in quality early care and education, there is a demonstrated and correlating reduction in future instances of abuse and neglect. Head Start referrals increased from from 270 to 1200, indicating that the efficiency of this program makes it a great success.