Head Start's Partnership with Parents in the
Decision- Making Process
Richard H Johnson, Chief Social Services, Parent Involvement Branch, Program Support Division, Head Start Bureau

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To accomplish Project Head Starts originally stated goals for children and parents, the national program outlined specific roles for parents. These roles were designed to increase parent opportunities for program participation so that they might gain skills in a variety of contexts, including decision making, and by so doing, deepen their sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. These roles are consistent with the objectives established for Head Start by its creators when they initially conceptualized the national program.

HEAD START'S 1967 POLICY MANUAL AND 1973 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

In 1967, the following four original objectives were reflected in Head Starts Manual of Policies and Instruction, 1-30, (70.2), and later in the 1973 Head Start Performance Standards. They are:

1) Parents as decision makers.

2) Parents as paid staff, volunteers, and observers in the classroom.

3) Parents involved in activities which they themselves have helped to develop.

4) Parents working at home with their own children in cooperation with Head Start staff to support the child's Head Start experience.

STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING PARENTS IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

To support parents in becoming an integral part of the team/partnership concept of decision making within local Head Start programs, and assist them in making informed decisions concerning the ongoing operation of their Head Start programs, specific strategies need to be carried out each year while new parents are serving on policy groups. They should include, but not be limited to, the following strategies:

• Assure two-way communication between Boards and policy groups.
  
• Assure grantee and delegate agency Boards are trained to understand Head Start policies.
  
• Arrange for Head Start parents to meet Board members.
  
• Build continuity by retaining some experienced parents on the Policy Council from year to year.
  
• Provide training for policy groups on the following:
• Head Start Performance Standards, including 70.2
• Parliamentary procedure
• Decision-making
• Analyzing budgets
• Refunding application process
• Parents' rights, roles, and responsibilities
• Parent Activity Fund
• Head Start Program acronyms; i.e., HHS, ACYF, OSPRI.
  
• Assure that policy group constitution and bylaws are developed.
  
• Assure policy group parents receive the following:
• Monthly program financial reports
• Monthly program status reports
• Reports on staff vacancies and copies of job announcements
• Incoming/outgoing correspondence from ACYF, National Office, and Regional Office
• Copies of legislation affecting Head Start children
• Reports on any proposed program changes
• Progress reports on the grant application process, with timetable
• Calendar of events for the program year (conferences, meetings, etc.)
• Copy of Head Start approved funding package
• Copies of minutes of Head Start Policy Commit tee/Council, Board meetings
• Copies of policy groups' standings and sub committees' meeting minutes.
  

If these strategies are adhered to each year, parents should be well informed and in a position to help make important decisions.

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