The focus and goal of the Program Governance service area is to ensure that parents are involved in program policy-making and decisions.
Governance Activities
The Head Start Program involves parents as decision-making partners in a variety of ways:
Parent Committees
Policy Council
Decision-making Committees
There are established By-Laws that guide the Parent Committees and Policy Council through their roles and responsibilities.
Parents also participate in activities such as Self-Assessment, Advisory Committees, and Finance Committees, which have direct impact on the quality of services provided by the Head Start Program. Within each service area are many other opportunities for shared decision-making, both formal and informal.
Benefits
When parents are involved in program governance, the benefits are enormous. Parents, who in many instances have never before had opportunities to be part of decision-making teams, gain leadership skills they can use for the rest of their lives. By participating with the Parent Committee and Policy Council, parents learn various skills, including:
Conducting formal and informal meetings using Parliamentary Procedures
Voting
Collaborating with other groups
Networking with other parents and professionals
Increased self-esteem
Through active parent involvement in the Head Start Program, parents often times become involved in their community and add a vital perspective to their community resources.
