PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE: ATCAA Head Start supports parents as they
nurture the development of their children within the family and culture,
identify their personal goals, and advocate for communities that support
children and families of all cultures.
ATCAA Head Start staff and parents engage in a process of
partnership-building to establish mutual trust. In center base programs,
Family Advocates will assume responsibility for the initial and primary
connection with parents. In home base programs, the Home Visitor will always
be the primary connection.
The Family Service Manager will develop an
enrollment packet and review
it with Family Advocates and Home Visitors before the program year begins.
In center base Head Start programs, Family Advocates will make first
contact with parents and family at enrollment and will complete the
enrollment packet. In home base programs, the Home Visitor and parents will
complete the
enrollment packets.
Parents have the right to choose how much personal information to share,
as well as how the information is recorded.
In center base programs, Family Advocates will conduct
home visits with
the family a minimum of twice during the year.
- The
initial
home visit will be in the fall, within 120 days of the
child's start date with Head Start, and will be directed to
family
goal setting.
- The Family Service Manager will determine the date of the spring
meeting in accordance with the Annual Calendar.
- The spring visit will be to review the family's progress and
discuss transition plans. (see
2nd Home Visit form.)
- Family Advocates will document information from both the fall and
spring visits on a
Social Services face sheet.
- In home base programs, Home Visitors will arrange two meetings with
parents, one in the fall.
-
- One home visit in the fall will be directed to
family goal
setting
- One home visit in the spring will be to evaluate the family's
progress and discuss transition.
- Home Visitors will document the meetings on the Family Contact
form.
ATCAA Head Start offers a procedure for staff and parents to collaborate in
a
Family Partnership Agreement. A Family Partnership Agreement describes the
family's goals and identifies strategies for achieving the goals. It outlines
each family member's responsibilities toward the goals and sets timetables for
success. A home base program
Family Partnership Agreement contains the same
components as that of center base Agreements, and also includes the specific
roles of parents in the home visits and socialization activities. (see CFR
1306.33b for further on home base
Family Partnership Agreements.)
In center base programs, the Family Advocate will work with parents to
complete the
Strength and Interest form, gathering information for the
Family Partnership Agreement. In home base programs, the Home Visitor and
parents work together on the
Strength and Interest form.
Parents and staff complete a written
Family Partnership Agreement,
usually within 120 days of the child's enrollment or when the family is
ready. In home base options, the Home Visitor and parents develop the
Family
Partnership Agreement.
Parents do not have to enter into a
Family Partnership Agreement until
they feel ready and comfortable with the process.
Family Advocates (for center base programs) and Home Visitors are
responsible for documenting the family's lack of readiness if the family is
unwilling to complete a
Family Partnership Agreement within
120 days.
Both Family Advocates (for center base programs) and Home Visitors
schedule a home visit with parents in the fall to develop the
Family
Partnership Agreement.
Second and third year Family Partnership Agreements will be reviewed each
year within 120 days of the start date. If the family has reached their
goal a new Partnership will be offered. if the returning family did not
complete their goal the family may continue with the existing Partnership
Agreement.
When needs are identified for information or services outside of Head
Start, staff refers parents to the Community Resource Directory. Staff will
document all referrals.
The Family Advocate and Lead Center Teacher will review the
Family
Partnership Agreement.
- The Lead Center Teacher will schedule a monthly meeting with the Family
Advocate for the review and will document any progress, gaps, or
challenges in the
progress notes for the family file.
- The Lead Center Teacher must verify that the Family Advocate and the PM
Teachers also do a monthly review of
Family Partnership Agreements.
- In home base programs, the Amador Program Manager and the Education
Manager for Tuolumne are responsible for reviewing the
Family Partnership
Agreement monthly.
- Three times during the program year, Area Service Managers do a
case
review on each family file, including the
Family Partnership Agreement.
Head Start programs build on preexisting Family Plans to avoid duplication.
In order to work directly with other community agencies, staff will
request a
Release of Information form from parents. Staff will assure
families confidentiality in sharing information among agencies. (Release
of Information form in file.)
