Lee County Head Start - Parent Involvement

Parent Involvement is vital to the success of the Head Start Program and all Head Start children. Our goal is to see all families engage in their children's education, as parents are a child's first teacher. Within the Head Start Program, we encourage all levels of Parent Involvement.

There are several ways parents may become involved in their child's education. Volunteering in the classroom is encouraged. Parents can come and stop by the classroom at any time. They can work with their child's teacher to help with lesson plans or classroom activities. Any ideas to help improve the classroom are welcome.

Other activities for parent involvement include participation in the Policy Council. This governing body is made up of parent volunteers who meet monthly and are involved in the Head Start operations. Policy Council assists in the interviewing and hiring of teachers, assistant teachers, and other Head Start staff; and the screening of applications for enrolling students. There are opportunities to volunteer when Head Start holds special after-school events and field trips.

Head Start has an open-door policy in regards to participation and volunteering. However, if a parent plans to volunteer extensively and on a regular basis, we do ask that they complete our volunteer training program which includes a background check. This training informs parents of the guidelines of volunteering and helps to equip the parents as well as other community volunteers with the skills and experience needed to gain employment. More information is available on request.

Parents have the biggest impact on their children's success in life. It's the little things, like volunteering that can make a big difference. We hope to engage families in our Head Start children's education. Parent Involvement is a vital part of the Head Start Program and children's lives.

Listed below are some activities that parents can become involved with:

Policy Council Committees/Policy Council Meeting
Volunteering in the Head Start Classrooms
Parent Center Committees/Parent Meeting
Parent Volunteer Training
Family Fun Days
County Wide Parent/Training Day
Male Involvement Activities
Family Engagement Activities