The focus of the Family Partnership service area is to offer a sense of belonging, support services, and a chance to be involved in activities that help the whole family.
Educational Opportunities
Parents have opportunities to take part in training classes on many subjects, such as parenting education, job training, learning about health and nutrition, and using free resources in their own community. Head Start also offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other adult-education opportunities, such as ESL. The program offers a field tripto a local college for those parents interested in furthering their education.
Family Partnership Agreement
An integral part of Family Partnerships is the establishment of a Family Partnership Agreement between Head Start families and the Head Start Program. The agreement states what each family commits to doing during the school year while working in their child's best interest. This agreement is the beginning of a relationship between the family and the Head Start Program that will continue to grow over the next many months.
Family Goals
Families design strategies necessary for completing desired goals. The main point of this activity is to assist families in identifying their needs or wants and then helping them through the steps to achieve success. Families are encouraged to celebrate every positive step forward as they work on their family goals.
Volunteers
Volunteer training is provided to parents and community members to ensure they become familiar with the local district policies and Head Start expectations for volunteers. Parents who attend the training receive a Volunteer Handbook, which details guidelines, expectations, and responsibilities. Volunteers also get one-on-one training from teachers about classroom functions and routine procedures for dealing with the children.
Fatherhood Initiative
All parents and significant adult role models play a critical factor in a child's life. The national fatherhood initiative focuses on helping fathers realize the significance of their role and influence in their child's education and overall success. Programs are encouraged to implement specific activities to recruit the involvement of more fathers.
