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Positive, goal-oriented relationships develop over time through interactions among parents, family members, and Head Start staff. These relationships are fueled by families’ passion for their children, are based on mutual respect and trust, and affirm and celebrate families’ cultures and languages. They also provide opportunities for two-way communications and include authentic interactions that are meaningful to those who participate in them.
Positive, goal-oriented relationships improve wellness by reducing isolation and stress for both families and staff. Staff and families feel supported in their roles when relationships focus on shared goals for children. In the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework, positive and goal-oriented relationships are essential to integrate throughout the system.
Explore these resources to learn more about building positive, goal-oriented relationships with families to advance positive family and child outcomes.
This resource provides information, suggested strategies, and links to resources that support Head Start staff in their efforts to engage parents and caregivers with disabilities and learning differences thoughtfully and intentionally.
Parents with disabilities and learning differences come from every background, culture, language, and community. Review the definitions of disabilities, learning differences, and inclusive language.
Explore resources covering a wide variety of topics, from vocabulary to advocacy to parenting tips to support your work with parents with disabilities and learning differences.
Explore strategies for making enrollment and engagement communications and processes more accessible to families.
Parents and families observe, guide, promote, and participate in the everyday learning of their children at home, school, and in their communities.
Learn about the importance of building relationships with infants, toddlers, and their families in Head Start programs.
Learn how the unique work of home visitors is about ways to “engage in a mutually respectful goal-oriented partnership with families to promote parent–child relationships and family well-being.”
Building relationships with families is an ongoing process. Learn how a family’s first interactions with a home visitor impact whether they feel welcomed and safe, and whether they feel your program can help them.
There are few right answers in home visiting, and relationships can ebb and flow. Explore ways reflection helps home visitors understand what they see, plan with families, and practice self-care.
We all make mistakes and sometimes, simply performing the job of home visitor may be stressful. Explore ways to work with families through challenging times.
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families
