Parent Involvement
Because Head Start is a parent-driven program, we encourage strong parent involvement in Program Governance. The focus and goal of Program Governance is to ensure that parents voices are heard in program policy-making and decisions.
Head Start involves parents as decision-making partners in a variety of ways:
• Parent Committees
• Policy Council
• Decision-making Committees
Parent Center Committee
Upon registering your child for the program you are encouraged to join the Parent Center Committee. This Committee is comprised of the parents who have a child(ren) currently enrolled in the Center. The Parent Center Committee works with the staff to meet the goals of the Center. As a member of the committee you can contribute by:
• Attending the meetings!
• Calling other parents to remind them of the meeting dates and times.
• Be a rideshare participant. Give or get a ride to ensure optimal attendance at meetings.
• Be a meeting aide. Come early to help set-up, make copies of the meeting agenda, etc.
• Plan your own training and activities for the meeting.
• Plan you child’s center field trips and special events.
Policy Council
Represent your Parent Center Committee at monthly meetings. A parent from each Head Start program option comes together to share ideas, plan Head Start activities, and be a part of program decisions. A parent reports from Policy Council to each Parent Center Committee.
Parents also participate in activities such as Self-Assessment, Advisory Committees and Finance Committees, which have direct impact on the quality of services provided by the Head Start Program.
Home Visits/ Conferences
Another way to actively participate in the program is by making yourself available for home visits and parent/teacher conferences. Parents are encouraged to meet regularly with the classroom teachers. Two home visits a year are scheduled by the teacher with the parent. During this time the child’s progress, behavior, social and physical needs and other pertinent matters are discussed. Additional conferences may be scheduled by staff or parents as needed.
By participating as a Parent Volunteer, you and your family will become acquainted with our Head Start program, see its strengths and goals, and help staff make it a fun learning experience for all. We encourage you to volunteer as an aide in the classroom, a receptionist in the office, to help organize materials, or to assist with lunch.
Head Start also provides volunteer opportunities for our parents to enhance existing or acquire new job skills. For a complete listing of these opportunities please review the Volunteer Handbook.
It is the goal of our Head Start program to empower our parents to become advocates for their children through active parental participation. We want to make your time spent with us as enjoyable and rewarding a possible.
|
