Parent Engagement
Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. Family engagement focuses on culturally and linguistically responsive relationship-building with key family members in a child’s life. These people include pregnant women and expectant families, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other adult caregivers. It requires making a commitment to creating and sustaining an ongoing partnership that supports family well-being. It also honors and supports the parent-child relationships that are central to a child’s healthy development, school readiness, and well-being.
Father/Father Figure Engagement
Dads and positive adult male figures are important to kids’ growth and development! Our Head Start Program wants our dads and father figures involved in our programming, events, and children’s education! We offer opportunities year-round for father engagement and would like to hear from you about how you want to be involved.
Family Interest Survey
Our Head Start program will hold Parent Meetings on a regular basis to plan for center activities and discuss Head Start programming. All parents and guardians are invited and encouraged to attend! Please let us know when you are most available to attend meetings and training by writing your most available day and time.
Policy Council
Policy Council members meet every month, approve financial reports, funding requests and policy changes. The Council is made up of at least 51% parents, but includes governing board members and community members. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents and guardians to learn more about Head Start operations, funding, and programming. It is also a chance to make decisions that insure we are doing the best that we can to improve the lives of Head Start children and families, as well as the broader community.
Parent Committees
Each of our Head Start sites has a Parent Committee that holds regular monthly meetings, at least 6 times per year. ALL parents are members of the Parent Committees and will elect Parent Officers as well as Parent Representatives on the Policy Council