Parent, Family and Community Engagement

I always enjoy listening to the heartfelt and meaningful stories of Head Start alum and Head Start families.  The stories enable me to believe in the strength, stamina and philosophy of Head Start.  Hearing stories from single-mothers who are empowered to to achieve self-sufficiency makes all of my work, as a Head Start professional, worthwhile.  

It is critical for policy makers, politicians and local government to hear the voices of Head Start parents and children.  These voices instill to politicians that Head Start is beneficial and can be effective in empowering families to achieve self-sufficiency, as well as, ensuring that impoverished children are ready for school.  I always make it a point to bring a parent with me whenever I am visiting Capitol Hill or Maryland State Legislation.  It is the parents who can bring the visible results and drive the nail regarding the research and findings that I, as an administrator, am presenting.  

Parent, Family and Community Engagement is a critical element in ensuring the success of Head Start.  Head Start philosophy is built on the premise of parents being the child's first and most important teacher.  As we engage parents, family and community in early education programs, parents and families are learning and discovering and gaining access to community resources, developing  and enhancing new skills and implementing best practices related to positive-child interactions. Engaging the community creates a win-win situation.  Community agencies and social organizations are able to provide needed services to targeted populations in an efficient and productive process.  While on the other hand, Head Start programs can increase, as well as, expand service delivery and options through partnerships with community agencies.