Goal-setting with Families
Learn about the goal-setting process and review the seven steps for setting and reaching goals with families.
Displaying 254 results
Family Engagement
Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. Family engagement focuses on culturally and linguistically responsive relationship-building with key family members in a child’s life. These people include pregnant women and expectant families, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other adult caregivers. It requires making a commitment to creating and sustaining an ongoing partnership that supports family well-being. It also honors and supports the parent-child relationships that are central to a child’s healthy development, school readiness, and well-being. The Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework is a guide to learning how family engagement promotes positive, enduring change for children, families, and communities.
Closing Thoughts
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.
How to Use the Overview by Role
This overview is designed for family services staff, home visitors, and managers who are new to their role. However, other audiences can benefit based on their role.
Engaging Parents with Disabilities and Learning Differences
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
Parents with disabilities and learning differences come from every background, culture, language, and community. Review the definitions of disabilities, learning differences, and inclusive language.
Access and Key Practices
Parents with disabilities and learning differences have the same opportunities as everyone to participate in Head Start programs. Learn about equity, ableism, and accessibility.
Partnering with Parents with Disabilities and Learning Differences
As relationships deepen, staff learn more about a parent’s goals, interests, and disabilities or learning differences. Explore topics related to communication and conversation planning.
Related Resources
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.
Goal-setting with Families Course
Explore this three-module course to learn about the knowledge, skills, and practices family services professionals need to engage in the family partnership process and goal setting with families.
Improving Educational Freedom for Young Children and Families
Watch this webinar to learn how Head Start programs can use federal funds to support parents in choosing the educational services that best meet their specific needs and values.
