Family Support & Engaging the Community 

 Rationale 

GHC staff and Partners must ensure each Center or Program takes an active role in community planning to encourage strong communication, cooperation, and the sharing of information among agencies and their community partners and to improve the delivery of community services to children and families in accordance with the agency’s confidentiality policies. Documentation must be maintained to reflect the level of effort undertaken to establish community partnerships. Programs must take affirmative steps to establish ongoing collaborative relationships with community organizations to promote the access of children and families to community services that are responsive to their needs. Such community needs must include health care providers such as clinics, physicians, dentists, and other health professionals; mental health providers; nutrition service providers; individuals and agencies that provide services to children with disabilities and their families; family preservation and support services; child protective services; local elementary schools and other educational and cultural institutions, such as libraries and museums, for both children and families; providers of child care services; and any other agency that may provide support and resources to families.

Family Support Staff

Family support staff or designees are responsible for designing an effective community involvement plan, which includes:

• Participating in community meetings and events monthly

• Establishing and maintaining interagency agreements with community service providers that

can support the needs of Head Start families including but not limited to the follwing:

• Health and dental care providers;

• Mental health organizations;

• Nutritional service providers

• Individuals and agencies that provide services to children with disabilities and their families.

• Family preservation and support services

• Child protective services

• Libraries

• Local community resource centers

• Crisis intervention programs

• Childcare providers, local elementary schools, and other cultural institutions

• Any organization or business that may provide support and resources to families

• Educating community partners about Head Start and the needs of Head Start families

• Including community partners in the Community Resource Directory.

• Ensuring that all enrolled families will receive a copy of the Community Resource Directory.