Head Start's Policy Council needs community members

Do you have a passion for our future generation? Do you live in Amador or Tuolumne County? ATCAA's Early Childhood Services Department is looking for volunteers from the community to serve on their Policy Council. Though comprised of mostly Head Start parents, community members play a vital role in contributing to how the Early Childhood Services programs operate. The ideal Council Member is a community member who might be a parent, foster parent, grandparent, a current or former educator or anyone who just has a passion for young children and their success in their formative years.

The Policy Council is a group of Head Start parents and community members who help lead and make decisions about their program. Policy Council members are elected by the parents of children enrolled in the program. The Policy Council meets monthly as a group online via Zoom. Members can serve for one year at a time, and for up to five years. Members work closely with the program's management team and governing body to provide overall direction for the program.

When Head Start began in 1965, its founders understood that parents are essential partners in educating young children. They felt parents should help decide how Head Start services can most benefit their family and other families in the community.

Head Start created the Policy Council as a formal leadership and policy-making role for parents. Today, every Head Start program has a Policy Council as part of its leadership structure. Through the Policy Council, parents and community members 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 can become more confident, gain skills, and connect with other parents and staff. Program staff learn about the strengths, interests, and needs of the children, families, and community they serve.

ATCAA Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start offer child enrichment, education, health, nutritional and developmental services as well as parent education and involvement opportunities. ATCAA offers:

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• Head Start preschool and State Preschool programs to prepare children 3 - 5 for kindergarten

• Early Head Start for pregnant women and children 0 - 3

• Home Base program that serves pregnant woman and children 0 - 5

ATCAA operates several Head Start and/or Early Head Start centers in Amador and Tuolumne Counties. Currently the centers are located in Jackson, Ione, East Sonora, Jamestown, Soulsbyville and Tuolumne. It's main offices are located in downtown Sonora. At full enrollment, 160 children are served. The income-based program is always accepting enrollment applications. If there is not an immediate opening, applicants are put on a wait-list as slots continue to open up as children age.

Learn more about ATCAA's Early Childhood Services programs at ATCAA.org/HeadStart.

Interested in serving on the Policy Council? Submit your interest here or just call 209-533-0361.