South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Parent Responsibilities For Head Start Sebrina Carroll, MS AD PD/QA March 24, 2010

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Parent Responsibilities -Complete Physical - Complete Dental -Complete Follow-Up - Complete Consents -Parent Conferences - Home Visits -Review Assessments - Volunteer -Provide Education Ideas - Attend Parent Meeting -Maintain Insurance

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division How Can You Help?

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Support Your FSW and Team Leader Remind Parents of Head Start requirements Send notes to parents reminding them of deadlines Make phone calls to parents who have not completed requirements Emphasize the importance of completing requirements at Transition Activities, Enrollment, and Parent Meetings

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Work with Teachers Remind Teachers of Head Start requirements Encourage Teachers to remind parents of upcoming deadlines Encourage Teachers to attend Head Start monthly in- service and pre-service

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Head Start Transition

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division 45 CFR (h)(1)(2)(3) (1) Grantee and delegate agencies must assist parents in becoming their children's advocate as they transition both into Early Head Start or Head Start from the home or other child care setting, and from Head Start to elementary school, a Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act preschool program, or a child care setting. (2) Staff must work to prepare parents to become their children's advocate through transition periods by providing that, at a minimum, a staff-parent meeting is held toward the end of the child's participation in the program to enable parents to understand the child's progress while enrolled in Early Head Start or Head Start. (3) To promote the continued involvement of Head Start parents in the education and development of their children upon transition to school, grantee and delegate agencies must: (i) Provide education and training to parents to prepare them to exercise their rights and responsibilities concerning the education of their children in the school setting; and (ii) Assist parents to communicate with teachers and other school personnel so that parents can participate in decisions related to their children's education. (4) See 45 CFR (c) for additional standards related to children's transition to and from Early Head Start or Head Start.

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Transition Activity Ideas Attend Parent Meetings to discuss Kindergarten enrollment dates and other information. Develop a Kindergarten Enrollment Packet – Enrollment Forms – Phone Numbers and Addresses – Map of School – Check list of Documents for Kindergarten – Kindergarten School Supply List – Tips for Parents – Develop materials in English and Spanish

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Transition Activity Ideas Field Trips to Kindergarten Classrooms – Allow children and parents to participate in classroom activities – Allow children and parents to attend specialty classes: PE, Art, Music – Allow children and parents to eat lunch in cafeteria Include Head Start children in End of School Activities – Talent Shows – Assemblies – Fun Day Activities

South Plains Community Action Association Head Start & Early Head Start Division Transition Activity Ideas Children with Disabilities – Discuss Referral Process – Discuss continuation of services with parents – Provide Parents with phone numbers and Addresses of appropriate school personnel – Allow children and parents more time to assimilate to classroom