HSIPC: Head Start Bulletin #65 - Family Involvement

Image of a representative group of ACF's audience

	Questions?
	Privacy
	Site Index
	Contact Us


	Home \| Publications \| Partnership/Collaboration Information Center \| What's New?

March 1999

Issue No. 65

Family Involvement in Head Start

by Frankie Hoover Gibson, Parent Involvement Program Specialist, Head Start Bureau

     As I was walking down the street recently, a mother with her teenage daughter saw my Head Start bag and called out, "Is that the same Head Start my daughter went to fifteen years ago?" When I nodded yes, she said, "We had very little going for us then, and Head Start came along-it was one of the best things that ever happened to us." Over and over during the past 35 years, Head Start has given children and families the message that they are valued, worthy, and capable. With increasingly complex demands, is your program welcoming families and reinforcing the importance of their involvement? Are current and former Head Start parents involved in welcoming new parents? Does staff have adequate ongoing training and support to effectively reach every family directly?

     Head Start, a comprehensive child development program, always operates within the context of the child's family and his or her community.

     The Head Start Program Performance Standards emphasize the need for ongoing attention to creating an environment that is receptive to each family throughout its program experience. This family partnership agreement process is individualized, strengths based, family driven, and staff supported. Each family determines the direction of its partnership and works with Head Start staff to achieve identified goals.

This issue of the Bulletin focuses on some of the many ways parents participate in Head Start-from the shared decision-making opportunities in Parent Committees and the Policy Council/Committee, to receiving training, and to providing support to children in the learning process.

     Father/male involvement in Head Start is highlighted. President Clinton has made the Fatherhood Initiative, which cuts across all governmental agencies, a priority of his Administration. Suggestions for enhancing male participation in your own programs are included.

     In addition, there is a special section on research featuring the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) and the Early Head Start Research Project. An overview of each study is provided, along with preliminary findings.

     Finally, brief descriptions of selected Head Start publications and other resources are included for your review.

     We also encourage you to share with us celebrations, traditions, events, one-on-one activities, and other opportunities you create to help families feel welcome in your program!


Contents - Bulletin No. 65	On to Patricia Montoya Appointed Commissioner for Children, Youth, and Families

For information requests contact AskUs
We welcome your comments and suggestions, contact webmistress@headstartinfo.org
For website technical assistance contact technical@headstartinfo.org
To order publications contact puborder@headstartinfo.org

Office of Head Start

Please Note: Links on this site are verified monthly.
While links are evaluated before being included on this site, HSIPC is not responsible for the information presented on external sites.

Last Modified: 10/31/01