Volunteers have been important contributors to Head Start's success since the program's inception in 1965.
In a 1992 initiative, the Head Start Bureau and the American Psychological Association collaborated to recruit over 300 psychologists from across the country to volunteer their services to Head Start.
From this participation, Head Start programs report receiving such valuable services as:
- How to conduct parenting workshops and parent support groups;
- Staff training on classroom behavior management techniques;
- Mental health consultation for staff serving children and families experiencing mental health problems; and
- Mental health screening and assessment services.
Potential volunteers can call a toll-free 800 number to receive a packet of information with the address, phone number, and name of the Volunteer Coordinator in the nearest Head Start program participating in the campaign. The Head Start Volunteer Coordinator will schedule a meeting with the volunteer to learn more about the volunteer's interests and availability. A successful match can then be made between the program's needs and the volunteer's attributes. Only volunteers who have registered with the campaign will be referred to Head Start programs.
If your program has not yet responded to the Information Memorandum, and you are interested in obtaining additional volunteers for your program, please complete the form printed below and mail to:
Head Start Media Campaign
c/o Research Assessment Management, Inc.
1300 Spring Street, Suite 210
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Attn: Barbara White
