Parent, Family &
Community Engagement
Working together, we support family outcomes that support incredible outcomes for children.
Parent and Family Engagement
An interactive process through which program staff and families, family members, and their children build positive and goal-oriented relationships.
Community Engagement
The mutually respectful, strengths-based interactions of Head Start for Kent County staff and families with community members and agencies at all levels.
Family Engagement & Family Outcomes
Families are our partners in the overall goal of school readiness. Our goal is to continually build that strong partnership to be even stronger.
We aim to do that through positive and goal-oriented relationships with families. Over time, we can strive to build mutual respect and trust with each other.
- Family Well-being
- Positive Parent-Child Relationships
- Families as Lifelong Educators
- Families as Learners
- Family Engagement in Transitions
- Family Connections to Peers and Community
- Families as Advocates and Leaders
Families and staff share responsibility for these outcomes based on mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer.
(If ever you want to dive further into any of these outcomes for your family, please contact your child’s teacher or home visitor.)
Family Advocates
Each site has a Family Advocate (or another designated staff person) to help introduce/connect families with community resources. Teachers and Home Visitors work with Family Advocates when additional resources are needed. Family Advoactes meet with families one-on-one to support needs and goals through sharing resources. They can help families find their local food pantry, get clothes from a church, or sign up for GED or English classes in their community.
If a child needs a doctor or help finding a dentist, the Family Advocate can help the family find medical care. If families are looking to sharpen their skills around leadership, advocacy for their children, or economic mobility, Family Advocates can help with that as well. Monthly Family Engagement Events provide ongoing trainings and support to families on a variety of topics. Family Advocates are there to support the family as a whole with needs and goals, so the child can ultimately succeed in school.
