3. HEAD START PARENTS AS VOLUNTEERS
Head Start parents constitute a special set of potential volunteers. There are four kinds of parent participation listed in "70.2: The Parents." While two involve parent- sponsored activities in the program and parents working with their children at home, the other two focus on the important role of parents as volunteers. The first addresses parent participation in the decision making process and includes membership on Policy Councils, advisory groups, program evaluation teams, and the like. The second addresses participation in the classroom or other program activities as a volunteer.
3.1 Parents as Members of Decision making Groups
Parents have a central role in the operations of the Head Start program as members of the Policy Council/Committee. They also serve on a variety of other advisory groups affecting program direction and quality.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance
Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Appendix
B--Head Start 1-30-2, The Parents,
November 1984.
B. The Role of the ParentsEvery Head Start program must have effective parent participation. There are at least four major kinds of parent participation in local Head Start programs.
1. Participation in the process of making decisions about the nature and operation of the program.
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CER 1304, Parent Involvement, Subpart E--Parent Involvement Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.1304.5-1 Parent involvement objectives
(c) Provide the following kinds of opportunities for parent participation:(1) Direct involvement in decision making in the program planning and operations.
3.2 Parents as Program Volunteers
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and in other program components. In their capacity as volunteers, parents learn more about child development and their role as the primary educator of their children. Parents also are able to obtain experiences helpful for future employment.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Appendix B--Head Start 1-30-2, The Parents, November 1984.
B. The Role of the ParentsEvery Head Start program must have effective parent participation. There are at least four major kinds of parent participation in local Head Start programs.
2. Participation in the classroom as paid employees, volunteers, or observers.
Participation as volunteers may also be possible for many parents. Experience obtained as a volunteer may be helpful in qualifying for non-professional employment.
"Head Start Program Performance
Standards." 45-CRF 1304, Parent
Involvement, Subpart E--Parent
Involvement Objectives and Performance
Standards, November 1984.1304.5-1 Parent involvement objectives
(2) Participation in classroom and other program activities as paid employees, volunteers, and observers.3.3 Parent Participation Is Voluntary
While participation of parents must be actively sought and supported, Head Start policy requires that this be voluntary and forbids making it a condition for a child's enrollment.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Parent Involvement, Subpart E--Parent Involvement Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.1304.5-2 Parent involvement plant content: parent participation.
(b) The plan shall assure that participation of Head Start parents is voluntary and shall not be required as a condition of the child's enrollment.BACK TO T.O.C
Head Start National Library Collection | BMCC Home