Family Involvement

The success of Head Start and Early Head Start relies on the strong involvement of parents. Parents are encouraged and welcome to participate in every aspect of the Head Start and Early Head Start program. The program operates with parent input and involvement. As the children's primary educators, parents can help steer the Head Start and Early Head Start program in a direction that best meets the needs of children and families. In fact, the Federal government, which largely funds Head Start and Early Head Start, recognizes the importance of the parent's role and requires staff to partner with parents. Caregivers are also given the tools to reinforce the Head Start curriculum at home, each and every day.

At Head Start, Parents are Partners – not observers – in their children's education. We believe that parents are their children's most important teachers. And so we encourage parents to be active participants in all aspects of the program. They contribute in the following ways:

• Approve budgets and all staff hiring and firing
• Review policies
• Critique new development plans
• Volunteer in the classroom
• Help develop the program's curriculum and approach to education
• Increase their child observation skills and share assessments that will help staff plan learning experiences
• Work with staff to help all children in the program develop according their individual needs
• Participate in conferences and home visits to discuss their child's development and education
• Learn alongside their children
• Have access to special programs, such as literacy and health education
• Receive education, job training, and leadership development that enable families to move into the economic mainstream.

Staff members work with parents to provide training in areas of health and nutrition education, ensure children are immunized appropriately, have screenings in the areas of hearing and vision, and assess children for height and weight measurements. Parents also gain access to Program Governance training, which develops their knowledge and skills related to program governance.

Empowering the Whole Family

Often, career opportunities for Head Start and Early Head Start parents begin with employment in the program and the access it provides to related educational opportunities. One third of Head Start staff members were introduced to the program as parents of Head Start children. The community and its resources are also valued partners for each local Head Start center.

Family Case Managers are on hand to help identify and obtain support services and programs for families. These include the following:

• Resources and referrals for job training and education programs including computer training, ESOL classes, and early childhood teaching programs
• Good Guys program that helps fathers and other males to be more active in children's lives
• Targeted program for homeless children
• Support for parents suffering from a range of physical and mental health issues
• Referrals for assistance programs, such as food stamps, fuel assistance, and housing.