module_6.htm

6. VOLUNTEERS IN THE EDUCATION SERVICES COMPONENT

The Education Services Plan must include the ways in which volunteers will assist in the program. Center-based programs are expected to have volunteers in the classroom; home-based programs must find ways volunteers can serve.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Education, Subpart B--Education Services Objectives and Performance Standards, November
1984.

1304.2-2 Education services plan content:
operations

(a) The education services component of the performance standards plan shall provide strategies for achieving the education, objectives....

Related Performance Standard Guidance

(a) The plan should be accompanied by brief descriptive information regarding:

Education staff (staffing patterns, experience, training)
Volunteers
Community resources

6.1 Volunteers in the Classroom

Since the initiation of the first Head Start program in the summer of 1965, volunteers have been recruited for the classroom to ensure lower adult-child ratios. A volunteer may be a parent, a college student, a retired teacher, or an interested community member.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Child Development Programs:
A Manual of Policies and Instructions." Manual 6108-1, Office of Child Development, September 1967.

3. The Staff

f. The Volunteers

(1) ... It is expected that the third person in the classroom will be a volunteer. Even when the grantee is able to obtain help from...[other agencies] an effort should be made to staff each classroom with a volunteer for part of the time.

6.2 Volunteers in Home-Based Programs

Although it is not always appropriate to use volunteers in conducting home visits, it is appropriate to ensure volunteer participation in group activities, training sessions, special events, materials preparation, and in supporting specific component area activities.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Program Performance
Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Appendix
A--Program Options for Project Head
Start, N-30-334, November 1984.

B. Special Provisions

4. Home-Based Models

i. Volunteers

As in all other Head Start programs, the home-based programs must encourage and provide opportunity for the use of volunteers.

6.3 Volunteers as a Resource in Meeting the Special Needs of Children

Grantees and delegate agencies must have an education program that is individualized to meet the special needs of the children. Federal regulations identify several ways that programs are to meet these needs, including having a curriculum reflective of the children's home cultures, having a bilingual adult for non-English speaking children and parents, and serving handicapped children. Volunteers can be one of the resources that programs use to meet this standard.

6.3.1 Parents as Multicultural Curriculum Resources

Head Start families come from rich and diverse cultural backgrounds. Families can share their traditions with each other by volunteering in classrooms and assisting in meeting the special needs of various populations.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Education, Subpart B--Education Services Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.

1304.2-2 Education services plan content:
operations

(c) The education services component of the plan shall provide for a program which is individualized to meet the special needs of children from various populations by:

(3) Including parents in curriculum development and having them serve as resource persons (e.g., for bilingual/bicultural activities).

Related Performance Standard Guidance

(3) Parents can be valuable resources in planning activities which reflect the children's heritage. Teachers may request suggestions from parents on ways to integrate cultural activities into the program. For example, parents may wish to:

plan holiday celebrations;
prepare foods unique to various cultures;
recommend books, records, or other materials for the classroom;
act as classroom volunteers;
suggest games, songs, and art projects which reflect cultural customs.

6.3.2 Bilingual Volunteers

The Head Start performance standards mandate that adults be available who speak the child's language and reflect the child's cultural heritage. Volunteers often assist in filling this need.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Education, Subpart B--Education Services Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.

1304.2-2 Education services plan content:
operations

(c) The education services component of the plan shall provide for a program which is individualized to meet the special needs of children from various populations by:

(i) Including persons who speak the primary language of the children and are knowledgeable about their heritage; and, at a minimum, when a majority of the children speak a language other than English, at least one teacher or aide interacting regularly with the children must speak their language....

Related Performance Standard Guidance

(i) This adult may be:

a parent or family member
a volunteer who speaks the child's language

6.3.3 Serving Handicapped Children

Head Start programs are required to include handicapped children in their enrollment. At least 10 percent of the enrollees are to be professionally diagnosed as handicapped. Volunteers can support the successful mainstreaming of these children.

REFERENCE

TEXT CITATION

"Head Start Services to Handicapped Children." OCD Notice N-30-333-1-30, Office of Child Development, February 28, 1973.

B.6 Program Services

d. Adult-Child Ratios

Special classroom staff may be needed in some Head Start programs or centers to ensure that all children are provided an appropriate developmental experience. This might involve hiring additional staff if funds are available, obtaining help from other agencies, or utilizing volunteers.

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