In addition to your program’s internal mental health work group that focuses on planning, designing, implementing, and overseeing the day-to-day, mental health-related services, a program must establish and maintain an HMHSAC that includes Head Start parents, professionals, and other volunteers from the community. Members of the HMHSAC may include pediatricians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, nutritionists, and mental health providers from a wide variety of health, mental health, and social service agencies. Consider also including non-traditional providers and healers, navigators, promotores, or other trusted members of the community who understand the mental health beliefs of enrolled children and families (and staff) and may facilitate access to services that eliminate barriers and improve the quality of care.
The HMHSAC is distinct from the mental health work group. The HMHSAC is not involved with the day-to-day planning, implementing, or oversight of the program’s MHC and activities. It is intended to help your program solve health and mental health-related problems that affect children, families and staff. The HMHSAC also strengthen the communities by helping health and mental health providers and agencies better understand the needs of Head Start children and families. The HMHSAC serves as a collaborative model for bringing families and community partners together. Your program’s HMHSAC is an excellent resource to bring the Head Start program, families, and the community together on the important topics related to health and mental health. The advisory role of the HMHSAC is a critical resource for meeting your program’s overall goals related to health and mental health.
Regardless of whether the mental health work group is a stand-alone committee or a subcommittee of the larger HMHSAC, coordination and communication between these two groups are important.
