Mountain States Early Head Start
Infant to Toddler Program of the Mountain States Group, Inc.

LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

Parent Involvement has been a cornerstone of Head Start, and subsequently, Early Head Start since the 1960’s.  In Early Head Start parents are:

• Decision-makers:  on Policy Council, at Parent Meetings, on Committees, for their children and family;
• Involved in activities:  planning, doing, evaluating;
• Working as volunteers, observers or paid staff;
• Involved at home in activities with their children.

Every enrolled parent is involved in this process at some level and parents are encouraged to become as involved as they wish.

The Parent Committee

Parents of each enrolled child automatically become part of the Parent Committee at their center.  There are opportunities several times each year to get together to be updated on news and information about the program and to voice opinions on program services and activities.  Not every parent is able to attend these meetings so other methods of communicating are also available such as Policy Council information and a discussion question in each newsletter, center bulletin boards and special committees.   

Health Services Advisory Committee

The Health Services Advisory Committee meets to assist in planning and evaluating Health Services for Early Head Start children and families. Members also help EHS staff identify developing community issues and family needs.  The committee includes health professionals and parents from the community and meets several times per year.

Committees and Special Projects

There are often committees on which parents are invited to serve. These may be groups that are planning a special event or activity, a committee recruited to interview candidates for a staff position or individuals asked to assist with the Self Assessment.

Policy Council

Policy Council is a group of parent and community representatives, elected by parents of enrolled children, who work closely with staff to develop, guide and evaluate our local EHS program.  They are not involved in the day-to-day operation of the program but help staff identify the direction the program could take to best meet the needs of parents and children involved in EHS.  Members of this group serve on planning committees, help make hiring decisions and assist with budget development.  Their specific duties are outlined in the Head Start regulations and standards.

Policy Council is a place for EHS parents to contribute ideas and learn and use leadership and teamwork skills.   

Mountain States Group, Inc. Board

The MSG Board has legal and fiscal responsibility for all programs of the agency including the Early Head Start program.  They come from a variety of backgrounds from across the country but are dedicated to quality services for children and families.  To see a complete list of the members and their backgrounds, visit the Mountain States Group website at www.mtnstatesgroup.org.