Newsroom
Head Start Parent Leadership Training
On Thursday, November 12, 2008, RCOE Head Start held its annual Policy Council Parent Leadership Training at the Riverside Marriott Hotel- Grand Ballroom. Approximately 60 parents from the RCOE Head Start/Early Head Start and Migrant Head Start Programs throughout the county were in attendance. Twenty directors and staff members from the various RCOE Delegate Agencies Head Start programs were also present.
Federal Guidelines require parents in Head Start to participate in shared decision-making roles in conjunction with the Head Start Program and the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Parent Leadership Training is to prepare incoming parents for the roles and responsibilities of leadership.
During the training, parents were provided with the history of the Head Start Program. The mission and vision for the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs was shared. Parents learned about the structure of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and their roles and responsibilities in shared governance. The outgoing Executive Committee members discussed some of the shared governance activities they participated in and some growth and development opportunities they experienced. They referred to the experiences as an adventure or a journey. They also shared team building activities and some “do and don’ts” for members during the Policy Council meetings. The Head Start staff shared how parents are involved in all areas of the Head Start Program. At the end of the day, a former Head Start parent presented an encouraging speech. She shared how being involved in the Parent Policy Council made a difference in her life.
Overall the Parent Leadership Training was a success. The parents left the training ready to take on leadership roles in the Head Start Policy Council. Elections for the Policy Council Executive Committee were held on November 20, 2008.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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