The Role of Fathers in Head Start

by Frankie Hoover Gibson

Head Start has always understood that the first and most important teachers children will ever have are their parents. We work with mothers and fathers, because we know that a well-functioning family can help young children grow and develop and get ready to succeed in school.

Both mothers and fathers are important for raising healthy and happy children. We want both parents to be involved in their child’s Head Start program and, in fact, the Head Start Program Performance Standards mandate that programs work with parents and provide support services to the family. But in reality, sometimes dads are overlooked. Why? There may be a number of reasons:

• Some staff may not know how to get fathers involved.
• Some staff may assume that when fathers do not show up, it means they do not want to participate.
• Some staff may not see getting fathers involved, and helping fathers be better parents, as very important.
• Often the staff of the Head Start program are all or mostly women, who may identify more with moms than dads.
• Some staff may harbor negative feelings about fathers because of their own experiences.

Do any of these sound familiar?

Moms and dads alike need to see Head Start as a place to get help and support. Dads and moms need to know that Head Start can help them become better parents.

Here are some important goals for every Head Start program to consider:

• We recognize and gather information about both parents, to the maximum extent possible, regardless of their living arrangements.
• We include both parents, to the maximum extent possible, in the family partnership process.
• We make fathers feel welcome and supported at our Head Start program.
• We offer activities that will be meaningful to both fathers and mothers.
• We provide the services that fathers need, both on our own and through partnerships with employment training centers, faith-based organizations, family support and parenting groups, and other community-based agencies.
• For mothers and fathers who want it, we offer help in strengthening relationships,
  including guidance on improving communication, on dealing with anger and resolving conflicts, and where appropriate, on building a strong and healthy marriage.

Even when Head Start staff wants to reach out to fathers, they may not know how. It is hoped that the diverse articles in this Head Start Bulletin will give you many ideas on how to involve fathers more effectively in your Head Start program.

Frankie Hoover Gibson is Parent Involvement Specialist, Family/Community Partnerships, Head Start Bureau. T: 202-205-8399; E: fgibson@acf.hhs.gov