Family and Community Partnership Plan Policy number and last update (02.01.01e/03-2025)
GOAL I: Enroll all eligible families in the recruitment area (1305.4).
Objective IA: Establish parents' income and agriculture eligibility.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
Examine documents that prove parents' current farm work, annual income and 51% of parents' combined annual income from farm work. Follow MSHS ERSEA procedures. |
FSW, Director |
At time of enrollment |
| n/a |
Record documents reviewed on Head Start Eligibility Verification form and sign to certify information. Copy documents for file. |
FSW |
At time of enrollment |
| Enrollment & Eligibility |
If parents have no proof of income or only check stubs, assist them to use the income chart to figure their annual income. Follow MSHS ERSEA procedures. |
FSW |
At time of enrollment |
| n/a |
Review documents to determine eligibility and assign enrollment priority number; sign Eligibility Verification form. (Follow COPA procedure to upload required forms.) |
Delegate Director |
(pending) |
| n/a |
Continue recruitment and enrollment of new eligible families. |
All Staff |
continuously all year round. |
GOAL II: Families improve their well-being and financial security.
Objective II-A: Use home visits and different forms of contact to establish relationships with families, and to identify and support their interests and goals.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS. |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE. |
TIMELINE. |
n/a |
Complete Family Assessment, in an interview, to determine families' social-service needs and individual goals. (Upload to eDocs in COPA in Family Data Sheet )
After completing Family Assessment, create goal with the family and 1-2 action steps. (Enter in Family Goal section in COPA.)
Provide direct assistance or link families to support services and resources to help them achieve family individual goal and/or needs. (Enter in Referral & Services section in COPA. if the referral/services is related to the goal, make sure to add in COPA)
|
FSW |
By 3rd-4th week of center opening |
| Family Goals, Interests, and Needs |
Meet with families to re-asses the goals and progress. Revise goals and action steps if needed. Update goal status in COPA as you follow up with family. (Goal Status: in progress, completed, etc.) |
FSW |
Every other week (Home visit, phone call, virtual meeting, etc.) |
| n/a |
Assist family in using community resources and systems of support and follow up to determine their effectiveness.
Provide emergency assistance and crisis intervention as needed or requested. (Enter in Referral & Services section in COPA.)
|
FSW |
All Season |
Objective II-B: Offer parent training opportunities.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| Parent Trainings |
Offer a research-based parenting curriculum such as Strengthening Families Illinois or Abriendo Puertas sessions. (Reach out to Grantee for other parenting curriculums if interested) |
FSW, Delegate Director |
3 or more sessions per fiscal year |
| n/a |
Offer parent trainings on topics such as parent-child relationship, child development, language and dual language literacy, and the importance of regular child attendance. (HSPPS 1302.51) including topics related to mental health. (Must enter parent trainings in COPA in the Referral & Services tab in Family Data Sheet) |
FSW, and all management staff |
monthly at the center |
GOAL III: Families develop healthy, supportive relationships that foster children's learning, development, and preparation for school.
Objective III-A: Encourage parents' involvement in the everyday education of their children at home and at school.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
With the parents, develop individual learning goals for each child. |
Teachers |
within 30 days of enrollment |
| n/a |
Discuss child's progress with parents. |
Teachers |
at second parent contact |
| n/a |
Answer parents' questions about children's progress, or relay information to education staff. |
FSW, Education Coordinator, Teacher |
Monthly, or as requested by parents |
| Parent Involvement in Education |
Send home parent-child activities related to classroom projects. |
Teachers, Education Coordinator |
Monthly |
| n/a |
Welcome parents to the center and classroom at any time. |
All Staff |
All the time |
| n/a |
Organize a parent education committee to observe classrooms and make recommendations. |
Education Coordinator |
at least twice during season |
| n/a |
Provide intergenerational literacy activities. |
Education Coordinator, FSW, Director |
Monthly |
| n/a |
Share information about the importance of the home language and second-language learning with parents. |
Teachers, FSW |
during parent contacts |
GOAL IV: Parents advance their own learning interests through education, training, and other experiences.
Objective IV-A: Support parents' access to basic education and assist parents to reach their education and career goals.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
Form partnerships with educational resources in the community and beyond, including higher-learning institutions, to support families' goals. |
FSW, Director |
Before center opens, and ongoing thereafter |
| n/a |
Provide referrals to educational resources: GED, ESL and others requested by parents. (Determine if you will refer out or schedule at the center) |
FSW, Director |
All season as needed |
| n/a |
Assure parents have the necessary supports to complete their education. |
FSW, Director |
All season as needed |
| Parent Education |
Inform parents of Head Start's policy of hiring parents whenever possible, and of training opportunities available through the program. |
Director, FSW |
During first parent meeting, and ongoing thereafter |
| n/a |
Invite parents to visit or volunteer at the HS center whenever they wish. |
All Staff |
All Season |
| n/a |
Explore, with those who are interested, other career and educational opportunities. |
FSW |
During parent contacts |
| n/a |
Link families to internships, volunteer activities, etc. that could expand their skills and build on their career interests. |
FSW, All management staff |
All season as opportunities arise |
GOAL V: Families participate in leadership development, decision-making, program policy development, and community and state organizing activities.
Objective V-A: Assure connections with community providers.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
Invite parents to participate in community agency representatives to parent fairs, open-house days, or other events at the center to acquaint parents with their services. |
FSW |
once per season |
| n/a |
Invite parents to be part of Health and Mental Health Services Advisory (HSPPS 1302.45 (a) (7)) |
FSW |
twice per season |
| Parent Connections & Participation |
Inform parents of volunteer opportunities at the center. |
FSW |
All season |
| n/a |
Facilitate or refer parents to parental support and educational groups where they can share concerns. |
FSW |
All season |
| n/a |
Encourage parents' participation in community activities: PTA, City Council meetings, cultural events, etc. |
FSW |
Once per season |
Objective V-B: Create an environment that welcomes and affirms parent leadership and advocacy in the program.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
Ensure that parents' opinions are heard and included in the program planning process. |
Delegate Director, FSW |
At self-assessment, planning meeting, grant budget proposal, and throughout the year |
| Parents as Leaders |
Provide opportunities for parents to identify their strengths as leaders and advocates and to use them in the program and community. |
FSW, all management staff |
All season |
| n/a |
Provide mentoring opportunities that could include staff, alumni parents, and professionals in the community to serve as a resource and support for parent leadership development. |
All staff |
All season |
Objective V-C: Parent representatives fully exercise their decision-making capacity according to Head Start standards.
| OBJECTIVE |
ACTION STEPS |
PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE |
TIMELINE |
| n/a |
Hold Parent Committee meetings according to procedures. |
Delegate Director, FSW |
every month of season |
| Parents as Decision Makers |
Hold Policy Committee meetings according to procedures. |
Delegate Director, FSW |
every month of season |
| n/a |
Facilitate representatives' attendance of Policy Council meetings. |
Delegate Director, FSW |
March-October |
| n/a |
Train Policy Committee on the program budget, program governance, rights and duties of the Policy Committee, Head Start Program Performance Standards, leadership and advocacy. |
Delegate Director, FSW |
May-November |
