Make Decisions
Consider how to use community assessment findings to inform decision-making.
Thoughtful planning is critical to programming. Explore these resources for guidance throughout the five-year Head Start grant cycle. Learn how to establish continuous cycles of improvement that involve key stakeholders in data-based decision-making. Find resources to help build on achievable program and school readiness goals and fiscal objectives. Discover materials that guide grantees in creating community and self-assessments, and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
Program planning and service system design together make up one of the 12 management, planning, and oversight systems of the Management Systems Wheel.
Consider how to use community assessment findings to inform decision-making.
Consider how to establish long-term goals and measurable objectives.
Consider how community assessment data helps establish program options and a calendar.
Consider how to use the community assessment to identify areas with the greatest need for service, even if your program is not currently serving children in those areas.
Review how programs should identify and recruit families with the greatest need.
Explore how a community assessment can help mobilize community resources and partnerships.
Consider how community assessment data can help programs determine appropriate partners for service provision, information-sharing, and ongoing communication.
Review why it is valuable to prioritize your decisions and recommendations based on the community assessment data.
Consider how trends in community assessment data can help frame and prioritize recommendations.
In this introduction, explore how best to present the data and act upon your findings.
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families