About Head Start Programs and the Family Services Role
Learn about the Head Start program and how its mission serves as a model for family services staff's important role within programs.
Staff learning and development are key to meeting a program’s objectives.
These resources offer practical strategies Head Start and child care programs can use to enhance the competencies — defined as the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) — of its employees.
Learn about the Head Start program and how its mission serves as a model for family services staff's important role within programs.
Family engagement is an essential, unique part of Head Start comprehensive, two-generation services. The Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework provides a roadmap for staff to advance family engagement.
Relationships are at the center of family engagement work. Explore the strengths-based attitudes, consider parallel processes, and use the Relationship-Based Competencies to enhance relationships with families.
Learn about typical family services roles and responsibilities, depending on program design. Explore strategies to help you understand specific program policies and procedures.
Explore outreach and recruitment strategies and tips, including using community assessment data and equity considerations for ERSEA.
Explore the role of family services professionals in the enrollment and family partnership processes, including tips for the family assessment and caring conversations with families.
Learn about the goal-setting process and review the seven steps for setting and reaching goals with families.
Explore the role of family services professionals in building community partnerships and the benefits of community engagement for families, staff, and communities.
Family services professionals are an essential part of Head Start programs. Their relationships with families and community partners strengthen Head Start programs' comprehensive services and goals.
Designed specifically for new staff, these resources summarize key Head Start concepts for many roles. Find the materials that support early staff success!
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families