ISD GSRP Advisory Structure

Each ISD must implement an advisory structure for GSRP. This advisory structure may vary according to the size and unique characteristics of each ISD. It may be composed of multiple committees/subcommittees/workgroups or may largely be accomplished by one central committee charged with the work. The SRAC may fulfill this role as one of its functions (See School Readiness Advisory Committee later in this section).

The overarching purpose of the GSRP advisory structure is to:

• Ensure active participation of all GSRP subrecipients with the ISD as grantee, in an ongoing dialogue as appropriate, by which the quality of the system and its services to families, children, and the community are examined.
• Ensure and facilitate active family participation, as appropriate, for children enrolled in the program.
• Ensure participation has been established in the SRAC and continues to meet requirements for the committee, on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure that data is analyzed and utilized in decision-making processes and for continuous improvement (see also the Program Evaluation section for more detail on continuous improvement).

While each ISD has the autonomy to create its own policies, procedures, protocols, and timeframes to achieve the overarching purpose, the ISD must minimally convene one ISD-wide group as follows:

• Purpose: To ensure that the following advisory structure functions are completed annually:
  
  • A formal conduit for bi-directional communication of information is provided;
  • All subrecipients have a local family participation group with a focus on local considerations (See
  • Family Participation Group later in this section);
  • An ISD GSRP representative to the SRAC is designated and participates actively; 
  • ISD level GSRP data analysis is conducted per requirements (see Data Analysis later in this section);
  • Subrecipients provide for transition opportunities into and out of GSRP

• Leadership: Shall be led by the ISD ECC or their designee(s).
• Who/Members: Representation should include, but is not limited, to the following individuals:

• ISD representative(s) (required);
• Subrecipient representative(s) (required)

• All subrecipients shall be invited to participate;
• Each ISD establishes its own participation guidelines;

• Program administrators, GSRP staff, and/or families;
• Local Head Start and/or community stakeholder(s).

• Frequency: The ISD shall convene an ISD-wide advisory structure meeting a minimum of 3 times per program year.
• Records:

• Attendance; 
• Agendas;
• Meeting minutes;
• Surveys, survey results, or other evidence of member participation in decision-making activities.

In addition to formal meetings, ongoing communication with subrecipients must be carried out on a regular basis throughout the program year.