Family Support and Well-being
Family well-being means all family members are safe, healthy, and have chances for educational advancement and economic mobility. When families face challenges, their health and wellness can be negatively impacted.
Partnerships for Change: Listening to the Voices of Families
This video shows how a program can partner effectively with families and community organizations to contribute to children’s school readiness.
Family and Community Partnerships for School Readiness
Strategies used by a program to make families and communities support children’s school readiness.
Bringing Families Together: Building Community
Watch this video for tips that programs can use to bring families together and build a strong sense of community. Sheltering Arms Educare Program in Atlanta, GA shares real-life experiences from their Head Start/Early Head Start program. Discover ways for parents to share experiences and build connections that improve family well-being and contribute to better outcomes for children.
Family Engagement and Ongoing Child Assessment
The partnership between parents and staff is fundamental to children's current and future success in school readiness and beyond. Discover how programs can share information with families about children's learning and progress toward school readiness outcomes.
Community Engagement
The collaboration between early childhood staff, families, and community agencies builds positive relationships. These relationships support parents’ progress toward their goals for themselves and their children.
Family Engagement and School Readiness: Building on Family Strengths to Promote Success
Explore this resource to learn how supporting families in their relationships with their children promotes learning, healthy development, and later success in school and in life.
Parent Involvement and Family Engagement for Early Childhood Professionals
Explore this resource to understand the differences between parent involvement and family engagement. Learn why moving from parent involvement to family engagement practices can help you build strong relationships with families.
Relationship-based Practices: Talking with Families About Developmental Concerns
In this interactive simulation, practice using relationship-based communications skills to raise and discuss concerns about a child’s development with the family.
Engaging Families from the Start
A strong relationship between families and Head Start staff is essential to promoting healthy child development and positive learning outcomes. Strong relationships are rooted in trust and comfort, which you can build by being genuine, sincere, curious about them and their goals, and supporting them as they work toward those goals.