Parent Involvement
Parents play a very important part in the Head Start program. Parents help make program decisions. They participate in the classroom and in parent group activities and they help plan Head Start programs. Many parents are also volunteers or paid employees. Head Start parents receive preference for employment.
Parents may also participate in the Policy Coouncil. This group consists of parents and community representatives and sets policy for the Head Start program. ThePolicy COuncil must approve major program decisions, from hiring employees to making changes in budget and services. The Policy Council and Head Start staff evaluates the Head Start program to make sure that it meets all federal requirements as well as the needs of participating families.
Parents are involved in the planning of the:
- Education Curriculum
- Menus
- Field Trips
- Daily Classroom Activities
- Being on policy council
- Helping in the kitchen
- Help with maintenance/grounds up keep
- Participating in home visits
- Being a bus monitor
- Helping in the office
Remember volunteering is also a great way to build your own resume, get work experience, training and support.
To View the Volunteer Handbook click here.
CAATCRCC Head Start Parent Handbook (English)To View the Volunteer Handbook click here.
CAATCRCC Head Start Parent Handbook (Spanish)
Family & Community Partnership Manager : Shawnna Yates
Male Involvement
The CAATCRCC Head Start Male Involvement/Fatherhood program was established for the purpose of encouraging fathers and significant male figures to become actively involved in the social and educational development of their children, and to be positive role models for them.
The mission of our Male Involvement/Fatherhood program is to provide opportunities for fathers and significant males to enhance their relationship with their children and families through interaction in Head Start activities, both within the center and off-site; assisting in the development of reading and literacy skills for kindergarten preparedness; and to serve as liaison in referring them to outside resources to assist them in achieving their personal and/or professional goals.
Our program endeavors to accomplish this mission through:
- Training and educating fathers, significant males, other family members, and agency staff in methods and techniques for interacting with children and improving parenting skills through community resource awareness, agency-sponsored workshops, etc.
- Designing creative and effective incentive and reward systems to encourage hesitant fathers/males to become more involved in classroom activities and program governance (Participating on decision-making committees).
- Conducting regularly scheduled Male Involvement meetings to solicit ideas and suggestions from program fathers/males to better enhance the Male Involvement/Fatherhood program; share pertinent information regarding agency policies and procedures; and to schedule future activities and events.
- Develop and maintain strategic alliances and partnerships with other community agencies and Fatherhood-related programs to assist in providing services to Head Start children and families.
Volunteers are welcomed throughout the school year. There are an endless number of ways for parents, students and community volunteers to become involved in Head Start. Here are some ways to become involved:
- Assist with the classroom activities
- Attend parent meetings
- Become involved with your Center's Parent Committee
- Help with Field Trips
- Prepare materials for the classroom teacher (in class or at home)
- Share special interests or hobbies with the children in the classrooms
- Interpret for non-English speaking families / translate
- Help plan events throughout the year
- Help recruit eligible families (children and parent volunteers)
- Attend special parent trainings and conferences
- Participate in the Health Services Advisory Committee
Male Envolvement Manager : Jerry Jones
