Resources
Training and information needs are often varied. The following is a suggested list of resources and materials that provide additional information about engaging parents. It's important to note that these are just some of the many materials and resources available and not a comprehensive list. The materials and resources listed were selected on the basis of relevance, readability, availability and cost. The Head Start Bureau, Regional Offices, Training and Technical Assistance network and fellow grantees are also a source of information and strategies in your efforts to engage all families.
Head Start Materials
Please refer to your catalog for ordering information.
Head Start Parent Involvement: Vision, Opportunities and Strategies.
A Head Start Handbook of Parent Involvement Strategies.
Head Start Multicultural Principles.
Head Start Bulletin, No. 47. September/October, 1993.
Children Today magazine. Vol. 22, No. 3, 1993. Published by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services. See articles, "Serving Homeless Children" and "Interviews with Head Start Parents."
Engaging Every Head Start Parent in Meaningful Program Experiences (video). Parent Involvement Institute, Douglas R. Powell, speaker.
Partnership With Parents (video and user's guide).
Other Materials and Resources
Ash, Carolyn (1994). Working with African American Families: A Guide to Resources. Family Resource Coalition, 200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1520, Chicago, IL 60604. 100 pages, $25 members, $35 non-members. This expandable loose-leaf guide offers a one-stop resource that includes annotated references, highlights useful books, articles, curricula and national and local organizations and contains a comprehensive appendices. The special FRC Report, "It Takes A Whole Village to Raise A Child," is included. A wealth of information included in one place.
Powell, Douglas R. (July 1991). Strengthening Parental Contributions to School Readiness and Early School Learning. Office of Educational Re search and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. (ED 340467), 75 pages. This paper provides a review and synthesis of research pertaining to implementation of the National Goal for Education calling for parents to prepare their children for school success. It examines research regarding the following major questions:
Levine, James A., Dennis T. Murphy, and Sherrill Wilson (1993). Getting Men Involved - Strategies for Early Childhood Programs. Scholastic Inc., Early Childhood Division, 730 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 10003. 96 pages, $12.95. Telephone 1-800-SCHOLASTIC. Based on the work and research of The Fatherhood Project of the Families and Work Institute of New York, this how-to guidebook provides a concrete understanding of thinking about the development of male involvement initiatives in early childhood programs. Strategies are provided that were found to be successful in other programs across the country, some of which can be implemented quickly. One of the most valuable aspects of the guide are the descriptions of fourteen exemplary model programs. These programs represent a wide cultural diversity and offer suggestions that are real and concrete. The guidebook ends with a comprehensive set of resources that includes books for different ethnic groups and materials for professionals, organizations and programs involving fathers and other men for information, support and net working.
- To what extent do parent practices and beliefs in the early years con tribute to children's success in school?
- To what extent are desired parent practices carried out by parents?
- How do parents view the task of preparing their child for school?
Nickel, Phyllis Smith and Holly Delany. Working with Teen Parents - A Survey of Promising Approaches (1985). Family Resource Coalition, 200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1520, Chicago, IL 60604. 139 pages, $12. Telephone (312) 341-0900. This volume walks the reader through solutions which programs have found effective in working with teen parents. Highlights include ideas for ensuring teen participation, selecting and training volunteers, building community capacity for teen services and pregnancy prevention efforts. A directory of programs is provided.
Resource Organizations and Clearinghouses
ASPIRA Association, Inc. A national Hispanic education leadership development organization, ASPIRA administers national parent involvement demonstration projects in Hispanic communities. Publications and brochures for parents are also published in Spanish and English. 1112 16th Street, N. W., Suite 340, Washington, DC 20036. (202) 835-3600.
ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. ERIC- EECE is a decentralized nationwide information system. It is the largest education-related database in the world. The Elementary and Early Childhood Center collects and disseminates information on parenting, child development and child care. ERIC/EECE has a variety of special projects, including Parents Ask ERIC. A free biannual newsletter is available. ERIC/EECE, University of Illinois, 805 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801-4897. 1-800-583-4135.
Family Resource Coalition (FRC). FRC is a national membership organization dedicated to communicating the premise, promise and practice of family support. ERC maintains an extensive publications catalog and the largest database on family support programs. The Coalition also operates the National Resource Center for Family Support Programs. 200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1520, Chicago, IL 60604. (312) 341-0900.
Grandparent Information Center. Operated by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Center provides information about programs, support groups, service interventions, research activities and resources available across the country to help grandparents cope with their surrogate parent roles. 601 E. St., N. W., Washington, DC 20049. (202) 434-2277.
Hispanic Policy Development Project (HPDP). HPDP is a nonprofit organization that encourages the analysis of public and private policies and policy proposals affecting U.S. Hispanics. HPDP publishes a series of publications in English and Spanish especially for parents. 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 538, Washington, D.C. 20036. (202) 822-8414.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC publishes materials on all aspects of child development and early childhood education, including parent involvement. 1509 16th Street, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20036-1426. (202) 232-8777 or 1-800-424-2460.
National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). NBCDI is a nation al organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for African American children and youth. the organization offers programs, workshops, publications and communication services. 1023 15th Street, N. W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005. (202) 387-1281.
National Coalition of Advocates for Students (NCASE). NCASE is a foundation-funded network of experienced child advocacy organizations that work to improve access to quality education for all students, particularly those who are poor, members of racial/linguistic minorities, recently immigrated, and/or physically challenged. They have published New Voices: Immigrant Students in U.S. Public Schools (1988) and The Good Common School: Making the Vision Work for All Children (1991). 100 Boynton Street, boston, MA 02116. (617) 8507.
National Council of La Raza (NCLR). This research and advocacy organizations works of behalf of the Latino population. NCLR's Project EXCEL is a national education demonstration project which includes tutoring services and parental education. 810 First Street, N.E., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002. (202) 289-1380. National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). This organization advocates for the needs of Indian children and Indian child welfare programs across the country. it publishes curriculums, training manual and parenting aids, maintains a database of tribes and ICW programs and houses a comprehensive library of Indian child welfare materials. Among its publications are Cross-Cultural Skills in Indian Child Welfare, a guide for the Non-Indian providing background information about Indian culture and describing culturally appropriate helping approaches ($12.50), and Positive Indian Parenting: Honoring our Children by Honoring our Traditions, A Model Indian Parent Training Manual ($40). 3611 S.W. Hood St., #201, Portland, OR 97201. (503) 222-4044.