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Program Governance
Tri-County Head
Start is a 501C3 corporation that has a Board of Directors made up of
community leaders. In
addition, the program has an active Policy Council elected by the
program parents. This
group has decision making power regarding many aspects of the program,
and reviews budgets, grants, and policies.
Policy Council members hold three seats on the Board.
Family
Involvement
Families are the
cornerstone of Head Start. We
believe that parents are the first and best teachers of their
children. Families have
much to contribute to the program including their cultural heritage.
Family members have many opportunities to participate in the
program. Families of
Center based children are encouraged to volunteer at least once a
month and participate with their children in classroom activities,
meal time, and special events. Home
Based families function as teachers of their own children, planning
developmentally appropriate activities with staff input, and providing
materials. All families
participate in regular ParentLinks, open house style learning and fun
sessions planned at each location throughout the year.
Especially popular is the December ParentLink, with a holiday
theme and evening hours. Fathers
and grandparents are always welcome, and every effort is made to
involve all the family members who are significant to the Head Start
child. Top volunteers each
month are acknowledged, and the top ten volunteers each year receive
awards. Family literacy
activities are provided through our Adventures in Reading program. Enrolled
children receive books 4 times during the program year.
September distribution is done at the time of orientation, a
parent and child activity. Books
provided in May are at the annual Fun Fair, also a family focused
activity. March is reading month.
Families participate by reading at home with their child and are
invited to the classroom
as guest readers.
Family Support
An essential
element of Head Start services is to assist families in setting and
reaching goals toward self sufficiency and beyond.
Families are able to work with staff in making a plan to reach
goals, including milestones and strategies for accomplishment.
Staff provides resources, encouragement, and coaching to assist
families in their efforts. Families
are linked to other programs, especially those that support adult
literacy improvement, education, and employment support.
Enrollment and
Attendance
Enrollment
efforts begin in the spring by re-enrolling children who are age
eligible for a second year of Head Start services.
Enrollment continues throughout the summer months.
Advertisements are posted in area agencies and placed in local
newspapers. Recruiting
staff follow up on telephone requests and go door to door to identify
eligible children. Families
are assisted with application completion.
During the program year, education staff and family services
associates work together to identify barriers to attendance and assist
families in improving attendance when difficulties arise.
A variety of program options are available to accommodate needs
of individual families.
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