PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships are a key element in the operation of Head Start. From Communities, to Families, to the Parents themselves, all are intertwined and interact for the betterment of our children.
Community planning fosters the development of a comprehensive system of family centered services attuned to the complex and diverse needs of children and families.
The active involvement of parents in advocacy and activities with other community members develops self-esteem and builds skills, while helping to organize and enhance community services and resources that best respond to parents' needs and interests.
FAMILIES
Head Start work on establishing truting, collaborative relationships with our families by supporting them in identifying and meeting their own goals.
To develop meaningful relationships with families, agencies:
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Work with Parent Committees to plan and publicize an array of individual options and group activities;
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Include culturally relevant activities that interest both men and women;
Plan activities at varying times of the day and week - such as at breakfast, at the end of the day, or on weekends - in order to encourage the participation of as many parents as possible;
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Develop alternative work schedules to allow staff to interact with working families during weekend events;
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Respect the uniqueness of each family, and recognize that families differ across many dimensions, including language, family structure, religion, and educational and socioeconomic background.
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Consider the needs of family members with disabilities when planning meetings and activities; and
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Honor the primary language of the family by enlisting the aid of bilingual and biculturally trained individuals who have experience with the cultures and languages of families.
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Parental involvement in the program's approach to child development and education enhances the ability of parents and staff to work together to support each child's growth and learning in the home and program environments.
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Parents who understand how children grow and develop usually are more responsive to their children's needs, and are better able to support child development.
COMMUNITIES
Head Start serves families within the context of the community, and recognizes that many other agencies and groups work with the same families.
The objective is to ensure that grantee and delegate agencies collaborate with partners in their communities, in order to provide the highest level of services to children and families, to foster the development of a continuum of family centered services, and to advocate for a community that shares responsibility of the healthy development of children and families of all cultures.