The Family Development component focuses on family and community partnerships. Parents are the first educators of their children and partners in determining services and goals that will enhance the family’s quality of life. The program recognizes the importance of self-sufficiency and developing a support system within the community to ensure parents have the resources to be successful. This includes connecting parents to resources, goal setting, providing parent education and encouraging parent leadership roles by membership on community boards, voting or serving as their child’s advocate after they leave Head Start. Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have higher grades, test scores and graduation rates, better school attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem, lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs and alcohol and fewer instances of violent behaviors.

Early Explorers follows the national standards for parent/family involvement programs by focusing on communication systems, parenting skills, student learning (parent involvement and at home learning), volunteering (parent child activities), school decision making and advocacy (parent committees and Policy Council) and collaborating with communities resources. Parent involvement strengthens children, families, schools and communities.

Families complete a Family Partnership Agreement identifying family goals and opportunities for growth. Parents are also encouraged to set literacy goals for themselves and their children. The program utilizes the Family of Readers Program from Reading is Fundamental with a portion of each monthly parent education opportunity is devoted to literacy. This project provides book distributions to families throughout the year. Parent support/education and goal setting are managed through case management.

Monthly parent meetings are offered providing the opportunity of peer support networks for families. The parent topics at the meetings focus on the educational needs identified by the parent groups. Popular parent meeting topics include child development, language and literacy, child guidance, stress reduction, budgeting, health and wellness, communication, community resources, etc. Parents also receive a monthly newsletter focusing on parenting issues, family emotional wellness and male/ fatherhood involvement.

Early Explorers maintains an environment that welcomes parents to visit the classroom for observations or participate in all classroom activities. Parents are encouraged to participate in activities/educational opportunities to enhance their experience with the program. Some of these activities include monthly parent/child activities, monthly parent committee/education opportunities, parent-teacher conferences, special events (RIF – Reading is Fundamental events, Parent/Child Literacy Night; etc.), male involvement activities and Policy Council Meetings.

Power Point Presentation:
Family and Community Partnerships