The Policy Council is a group of Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) parents and community members who help lead and make decisions about the program. The Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) Policy Council is comprised of parents of currently enrolled children, as well as former HS and EHS parents and community representatives who make up an important component of the shared governance system.
Through the Policy Council, parents have a voice in decisions about how the program spends money, what children do in their classrooms, and how the program works with community partners. Children, parents, and the program benefit when parents take on leadership roles. Children learn more and experience healthier development at school and at home. Parents become more confident, gain skills, and connect with other parents and staff while on the Policy Council while program staff learns more about the strengths, interests, and needs of the children, families, and communities they serve.
The idea of having a group of parents and community members that share the decision-making of an organization and make recommendations to a Board of Directors is unique to HS/EHS programs. When Head Start started in 1965, its founders understood that parents are essential partners in educating young children. They felt parents should decide how Head Start services can most benefit their families and other families in the community. Head Start created the Policy Council to provide a formal leadership and policy-making role for the parents. Today, every HS and EHS program is required to have a Policy Council as part of its leadership structure.
Membership Participation
Parent Committees are comprised exclusively of parents of children currently enrolled in the program. By participating in Parent Committee meetings parents are encouraged and empowered to make suggestions for program improvement; plan and implement center activities and education sessions based on parent interest; and discuss issues related to parenting, child development, and other topics of interest.