Respect for the uniqueness of each family drives the work of the Family Advocates as they support our parents in their role as primary caregivers and educators of their children and encourages their involvement in all aspects of the program. They maintain on-going contact with families and work with all other components of the program to integrate services into the family setting. Family Advocates provide resources and referrals, crisis intervention, opportunities for community involvement, and support to develop literacy, leadership, and employment skills.
The Family Partnership Agreement (FPA) is when the Family Advocate works with the family to set goals to build relationships that support family wellbeing, strong relationships between parents and their children, and ongoing learning and development for both parents and children.
COVID-19 Policy Resources for Families
From the National Head Start Association, this document reviews a number of issues that you and your family may be concerned about. Please review this document and find out how you can access aid during this challenging time. Policy Resources for Parents
Family Engagement Activities
- Working with parents to become their child’s first teacher by establishing regular, meaningful communication between home and school.
- Promoting and supporting parenting skills.
- Encouraging active parent participation in student learning.
- Welcoming parents as volunteer partners in our Head Start Centers.
- Reaching out to the community for resources to strengthen schools.
- Offering workshops to inform families of the high expectations and standards children are expected to meet in each grade level.
The Head Start Parent, Family & Community Engagement Framework
The Head Start Parent, Family & Community Engagement Framework (PFCE) is a tool for implementing related Head Start Performance Standards and best practices. The Head Start PFCE Framework is a research-based approach that shows how programs can work can work together as a whole across systems and service areas to promote parent and family engagement as well as children’s learning and development.
To learn more about our PFCE Framework visit www.strengtheningfamilies.net.
Capital Area PFCE Goals >>> Click To Download
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For Parents – Helpful Links & Downloads
| Parent Handbook (Under Construction) | Parent Committees & Policy Council Information Page >>> |
| Head Start Cycle Menus >>> Click To Download | Head Start Calendar Page >>> |
| Head Start Newsletters | Family Friendly Community Events (Under Construction) |
| December 2014 Newsletter >>> Click To Download | Head Start Events (Under Construction) |
| February 2015 Newsletter >>> Click To Download |
How Can I Volunteer?
There are many opportunities available for volunteers in the Head Start program. Parents of Head Start children are eligible to participate on a voluntary basis in Policy Council, Parent Committee Meetings, and Service Advisory Committees, which promotes parent engagement in decision-making about their children’s learning. In addition, parent figures are always welcome to assist teaching staff in the classroom with different activities (e.g. art, reading, music, crafts, etc.), accompany children and staff on field trips, and participate in other activities and groups to promote engagement among parents. Each of these activities counts as volunteer time (“in-kind”) that contributes to our non-federal share requirement in order to maintain program funding. We strongly encourage you to take part in your child’s learning through active participation in Head Start.
For those in the community who wish to volunteer at Head Start, whether for the purpose of completing work study or internship hours, or just to lend a hand, there are many ways to become involved. There are countless opportunities to get involved with Head Start, and we want to know what skills you have to contribute to our program! Are you handy with tools? Can you play an instrument? Do you enjoy arts and crafts? If you would like more information on how you can volunteer, you can contact the Parent Engagement Coordinator at (850) 201-2050, extension 226.
Volunteer Application >>> Webmaster create a link to the Volunteer Application
Head Start Advisory Committees
Health Services Advisory Committee
The Health Advisory Committee is comprised of Head Start parents, health care professionals, Head Start staff and volunteers. This committee provides guidance, advises in planning and operation, addresses program and community issues and works with community partners for the provision of health care for the Head Start Program.
School Readiness Advisory Committee
The School Readiness Advisory Committee strengthens the early childhood practices of program by reviewing the curriculum, finding information on new approaches, and determining training and partnership needs. The group also ensures that nutrition, mental and physical health, and social services are part of classroom activities.
Special Services Advisory Committee
The Special Services Advisory Committee develops policies, partnerships, and innovative strategies to make preschool available and successful for children with developmental and behavioral challenges.
Male Engagement Activities
Male Engagement is involving fathers and other significant males in our Head Start program. Head Start has been working to increase the number of fathers involved with its programs since 1987.
Any father or significant male involved in the life of a Head Start child can be involved with the Male Engagement program. Interested males can contact their Family Advocate to get involved with the program.
Activities include positive engagement between children and their fathers such as bowling, sports, picnics, fishing, movie and lunch dates, and any other meaningful activities that the groups agrees to.
Activities are also designed to increase the self-sufficiency of the males involved with the program with men groups designed to empower the males of the group.
Male Engagement Activity Calendar >>> Under Construction
Female Engagement Activities
Female Engagement provides the opportunity for female family members, and other female involved with the lives of our Head Start children to learn skills that will encourage personal growth while building on the power of themselves, their families, their communities and the relationships they build with other women.
Some topics of discussion during the group activities include Empowering Women as Leaders, Relaxation and Stress Management, Budgeting, Goal Setting, Early Childhood Development, Family Wellness and Nutrition, Strengthening Family Engagement, and many more that our women come up with.
Incredible Years
The Incredible Years evidence-based programs for parents, teachers, and children reduce challenging behaviors in children and increase their social emotional learning and self-control skills. The program promotes of child social competence, positive attributions, emotional regulation, academic readiness and problem solving. It improves parent-child interactions, improves parental functioning, less harsh and more nurturing parenting, increases parental social support and problem solving and building positive parent-child relationships and attachment.
