Community Action

Parent-Child Development Center

Parent Involvement Activities

A primary philosophy of Head Start and the Parent-Child Development Center is that the parent is the first and most important influence in a child’s life, as well as the best informed expert. Staff relies on parents to teach them about the children they entrust to our care, and our goal is to engage in a family partnership with parents which will help us to provide the most appropriate learning environment for each child.

We encourage parent participation in many ways:

• Education, Family Childcare staff, Home Visitors and Family Advocates meet with parents when the child first enters the program and during the school year, to share information and discuss progress.
• Parents are invited to an Orientation session, and encouraged to schedule monthly or bi-monthly Parent Meetings, which are an opportunity to get to know other families in the program, to hear about and make suggestions for activities and curriculum in their child’s classroom or Provider’s home and to participate in educational activities in which the parents have expressed interest.  These meetings are representative of the model of shared governance, with parents electing an Executive committee, determining the agenda, and making decisions about fundraising, activities, etc., and staff providing support as needed. To facilitate parent attendance, a meal is served and childcare provided. During 2008 -09, 79 parent meetings were held at sites across Franklin and Hampshire Counties. 
• Parents are encouraged to participate in the classroom and Provider homes as observers, volunteers, or paid employees.  To facilitate parents receiving certification to become Substitute Teachers, each year a Training is held.  This year’s session was held on September 30, 2008, with 5 parents receiving training.   In 2008-09, a total of 4460.75 parent classroom volunteer hours were logged at sites/Provider homes across the two Counties. 
• In the Home-Based Program, twice-monthly Socializations are held in a classroom or in the community so that parents in the home visiting option may meet together to share information and receive support. At least 24 socializations were held for Early Head Start/Head Start families and at least 16 for HS-aged children and families during the year. Parent meetings are held and parents plan activities, provide suggestions for socialization and home visits and fundraising activities.  Parents are active participants in all aspect of home visits and are supported in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
• Planning for a Teacher Training Program was initiated in Spring, 2009, which would provide parents both credits for coursework and practical training in the classroom setting. The first group of 11 parents enrolled in September.  Participants completing this program will receive an EEC teaching credential, qualifying them to assume paid teaching positions as available.
• Shared Governance – Policy Council -  in partnership with key management staff and Community Action, parents share governance of PCDC both at the program option level (Parent Meetings) and also as elected members of Policy Council.  Policy Council is composed of parents elected by their child’s classroom/program option (at least 51%) and community representatives.  This body is responsible for overall program planning, policies and procedures, funding applications, staff hiring recommendations, fiscal oversight and ensuring that service delivery is of the highest quality.  As well, members bring information or concerns from their sites to Policy Council, and take information back to their sites.  The Policy Council Chair also sits on the Community Action Board of Directors.  During 2008-09, a total of 34 parents and community members participated in Policy Council.