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Parents Are Important

Parents have a very important role in the Head Start program.  Parents help make program decisions and recommend policies.  They participate in the classroom, in parent group activities, and they make recommendations to improve the Head Start program.  Many parents also serve in the program as volunteers or paid employees.  Parents are an integral part of the Head Start Program and their input and presence is encouraged.

Parent Handbook

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Family Services

An important goal of the family service component of the Head Start program is to help families in their effort to improve the quality of life for all members of the family.  Each family completes, with the help of their Family Resource Advisor, a Family Assessment where family strengths and needs are identified.  Families are assisted in the development of goals that capitalize upon family strengths and increase self-sufficiency.  Staff help the family find local agencies which can provide assistance in meeting identified needs.  Each family receives a directory which lists agencies found in their own county.  Staff helps assure that all families asking for help have a chance to receive that assistance.

Another goal of the family service component is the recruitment of families for the program.  Although all staff are involved in this process, we have found that parents who have had a positive experience are often recruiters for the program and are an excellent source for finding new families who are eligible for the program.

Family Involvement

The parent program provides support, encouragement, and training to help parents be more effective in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.  At Head Start, parents may take part in family activities, training programs, and workshops.  Many serve as members of Policy Council and attend Parent Child Connection activities.  The parent program, by helping parents become more confident and capable, seeks to enable parents to support their child’s development now and in the years to come.  No parent is ever required to volunteer in their child’s classroom, however, mothers and fathers are expected to meet with teachers for home visits and Parent/Teacher Conferences.  If you need special accommodations such as specific foods or an interpreter at an event, kindly inform your FRA with a minimum of 48 hours notice.  We will do our best to meet your special needs.  Parents find that Head Start not only helps a child have a successful experience in the classroom, it also helps parents be successful parents.

Family Activities

Free or low-cost family activities are offered throughout the year.  Information is regularly sent home to parents via the children.  Notes, fliers, and weekly classroom newsletters contain particulars on field trips, parent activities, child activities at home, Parent Child Connection activities, center closings, and special events.  Head Start sponsored events offer mothers, fathers, and children an opportunity to play together, enjoy a meal, or just be together.  Movies, wiener roast, bowling or visiting the zoo are examples of some of the activities your family may be able to participate in this year.

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Family Literacy in the Home

Heartland Head Start offers adult family members the opportunity to develop confidence as well as skills through activities listed below.  Parents and children are encouraged to become partners in learning.  Education is the key to improving options for our own lives as well as the lives of our Head Start families.

Parents as Adult Learners:  All family members are encourage to continue their education or begin job training.  Family workers help set education/job training goals and support families’ efforts.  These goals may include basic education, GED, ESL, job training, college certificate or other vocational program.  Referrals to classes or support in enrolling will be offered.

Parents as Teachers: Each family can participate in planned Family Fun Club activities.  It means a great deal for children to have their families spend special time with them.  Children are given a free book at these activities which are held monthly in each county.

At-Home Reading Project: Families are encouraged to develop their children’s language skills by participating in an at-home lending library reading program.  Participation in this program may earn each family a book to add to their home library.

Parent/Child Packets: Families receive monthly parent/child packets filled with ideas and materials to help them in their role as their child’s most important teacher.  Many packets will include a book to add to your home library.

RIF/Reading Is Fundamental: Throughout the school year, Heartland Head Start children participate in RIF which is the nation’s oldest and largest child and family literacy program providing books to the children.

Parent Education

Anyone who is a parent, a child caregiver, or who is thinking about becoming a parent can benefit from parent education.  Just about every job requires some training, but how many people go to school to learn parenting skills?  Few people have received special training in how to be good parents.

A wide variety of parent trainings are offered based upon the results of parent surveys.  Some trainings are offered during the day, others are offered evenings or weekends.  Parents receive information about trainings and activities offered throughout the year.  At these events, parents can share their concerns and problems with parenting, learn more about child development and gain insight on how to improve their parenting skills.  Because parents are children’s first and most important teachers—and because Head Start is a program for families as well as for children—it is important for parents to attend parent trainings.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences:  Parent/Staff Teamwork

Parent Teacher Conferences and Home Visits are scheduled throughout the year to keep parents informed of their child’s progress and to assure parent input in planning a program for their child.  Heartland Head Start employs only teachers who meet Head Start and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) guidelines.  Although the teachers are a very important part of your child’s education, Head Start believes parents are the first and most important teachers of their children.  As children learn to solve problems for themselves, they gain self-esteem and respect for others.  These are some of the best tools a child can have for successful educational and life experiences. 

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Parent and Child Connection Meetings (PCC)

Who is a member?  All parents/guardians who have children currently enrolled in Head Start.

What is the purpose?  1) To keep parents of children in the program informed as to what is happening at Head Start; 2) to allow parents to have input into the planning and development of the program; 3) to provide training that is requested by parents in such areas as: child development, parenting, nutrition, mental health and emergency first aid and safety. 

When do they meet?  The meetings are held in the evening.  A light meal is usually served.  Meetings are held in the months of September, November, February and April.  Officers are elected from interested parents.  A End of the Year Family Event will also be held in the month of May, for the part day option, and June for the blended and full day options.  Policy Council representatives are elected at PCC. 

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Policy Council

Who is a member?  Elected Parents and community representatives who represent all Head Start parents.

What is its purpose?  To make decisions and plan for upgrading the program in areas of planning, general administration, personnel administration, grant application process, and program evaluation.  Training and technical assistance is provided for those elected members.

When do they meet?  The meetings are held once a month in the evenings and last about 2 hours.  A light meal is usually served.  Parents who are interested in serving on the Policy Council must attend PCC and must be elected to represent their child’s classroom or site.