Parents in the Early Head Start/Head Start programs are encouraged to become actively involved in all aspects of children's learning, including program activities and curriculum. For example, parents may volunteer to help with specific classroom projects, read stories to children or provide assistance on a field trip.
Parents also have the opportunity to serve on their local Head Start Program Committee or on the county-wide Head Start Policy Council.
Head Start Program Committee: All enrolled parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend monthly Program Committee meetings in their community. At these meetings, parents are encouraged to share ideas about program activities and to identify other areas of interest. In addition, participation in the Program Committee meetings provides parents an opportunity to become involved in the program curriculum.
Head Start Policy Council: The Policy Council is composed of parent representatives who are elected by parents at each of the local Program Committee meetings at the beginning of the program year, and representatives from community agencies within the Fairfax County Head Start service area who have been elected by the Head Start Policy Council. During monthly Policy Council meetings, members learn about changes and opportunities in the Fairfax County Head Start programs and have the opportunity to share their own insights.
The Role of the Program Committee Representative on the Head Start Policy Council:
- The Program Committee representative is a link between the local program committee and the Policy Council and ensures that Policy Council information is shared with the local Program Committee.
- The representative attends the monthly Policy Council meetings to receive information and program updates and reports back to the members of their individual Program Committees.
- The representative reviews, advises and participates in planning program goals and objectives, policies and procedures, program monitoring and program funding proposals.
- The Program Committee representative receives training in health, child development, special needs, nutrition, family services, advocacy and program governance.
