Family Information

Parent Information
Head Start offers families opportunities and support for growth, so that they can identify their own strengths, needs and interests, and find their own solutions.  The Family Advocate supports families as they identify and plan to meet their own goals, nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture, and advocate for communities that are supportive of children and families of all cultures.  The building of trusting, collaborative relationships betweens families and staff allows them to share with and to learn from one another.

Head Start is a program for the whole family.  In collaboration with families, Family Advocates develop a variety of group and individual opportunities to interact with families on a regular basis.  Family Advocates visit their families in the home, at Policy Council Meetings, at Family Connections meetings and by telephone.  Resources (including transportation and child care) are made available to families so that they can attend group activities.  

Family Advocates assist families in learning how to identify and access community services and resources that will help the families meet their goals.  Community resource guides, translators, brochures and information sheets concerning community services are made available to families.  In times of crisis, staff is able to make referrals that link families to appropriate services, and to support families without building dependence.

Families are encouraged to have a voice in the Head Start program by serving on Policy Council and by attending monthly Family Connections meetings.  Families are encouraged to volunteer in their child’s classroom.  Family Literacy and In-Home Activities are another way families can become involved in their child’s education.

Families can take part in training classes on a variety of subjects chosen as areas of interest by family surveys. Topics may include health, mental health, nutrition, child development, CPR, First Aid, Family Literacy, and many more.  Families are referred to local General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and other adult education opportunities when appropriate for their personal development.   

Family Advocates may assist families in finding an ongoing system of family health care.  Referrals to doctors, dentists and other health providers are available.  Transportation to health related appointments may be arranged if needed.  Nutrition information is shared with families on a regular basis. 

For families transitioning to school, staff play an important role in encouraging and facilitating communication between families and school personnel.  Field trips are arranged in the spring for children who are ready for kindergarten.  Transition files are delivered to the schools to assist the families in kindergarten registration and a smooth beginning of their child’s higher education.

Parent Newsletters

• Family Handbook - English (Adobe PDF - 189Kb)
  
  
• Family Handbook - Español (Adobe PDF - 189Kb)
  

Policy Council
Parents/guardians and community members are empowered to actively participate in the shared decision-making process by joining Policy Council and Family Connections meetings.  Family Connections meetings are held in each county on a monthly schedule.  Parents/guardians meet together to share community concerns, receive training as requested by the group, participate in activities such as crafts, cooking, enjoy healthful snacks and discuss concerns about the program, making recommendations for changes to the Policy Council.  Members of Family Connections attend Policy Council as representatives of their county centers/home base.

Policy Council members are elected annually.  There is a three year term limit. Parents/guardians and community members meet monthly to oversee the delivery of high quality services to children and families in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, State of Ohio Licensing Regulations and Agency Policies.  All members of Policy Council are eligible to run for office.  The Policy Council shares governance with the Board of Trustees.  Planning, grant application, approval of hiring and firing, addressing concerns of the community and of the individual centers are topics for the agenda.  Transportation and child care are provided for Policy Council members to ensure that they may attend the monthly meetings.

·        Ohio Heartland CAC Family Connections

·        Ohio Heartland CAC Head Start Policy Council Members

·        Policy Council By-Laws

Policy Council Minutes

Assistance referrals